Illinois, Peoria Diocese Investigate Burial of Body Parts

DANVILLE, Ill. - State officials and the Catholic Diocese of Peoria are investigating an allegation that a central Illinois hospital used a Catholic cemetery to bury body parts.

The investigation stems from a suit filed earlier this month by Thomas and Carolyn Pichon, who say they saw a cemetery worker toss a box of medical waste into their loved one's open grave at Danville's Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.

According to the Peoria diocese, it oversees 128 cemeteries, and most are owned and operated by parishes and other Catholic institutions. The cemeteries must follow diocesan rules, which prohibit burying uncremated amputated body parts without permission from the diocese's director of cemeteries.

Source.