Complaints

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• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/03/2025

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  My mother died on 1 April 2025. I met with ****** ******* **** the following day. My mother had prepaid for her funeral; however, I was told there would be additional costs. One additional cost was Woodlawn's charge for opening and closing the grave. My mother was buried next to my dad. The contract I signed on 2 April 2025 shows a charge of $1200 for Woodlawn to perform this service. ****** ******* **** also told me Woodlawn would have an additional charge since the burial was on a Saturday.
  
  My mother was cremated. The "grave" prepared by Woodlawn was approximately two feet deep two feet wide and long. I do not know if the hole was dug Saturday or the day prior. I was still at the cemetery when the hold was filled. It took the maintenance man about ten minutes to put the dirt in and pack it down with his feet.
  
  Woodlawn charged $1900 for this service. I called and spoke with Woodlawn's on-site supervisor. I explained my disbelief for the amount they charged for such a small amount of work. She said that is what they charge and that is what other cemeteries in Sioux Falls charge.
  
  When I agreed to Woodlawn's price quoted by ****** ******* **** I had no idea what was required to "open and close a grave." My dad was already buried there and a headstone was already in place. I didn't know if Woodlawn had to move the headstone to accomplish the burial or do anything else. I signed the contract the day after my mom died and didn't have the presence of mind to ask detailed questions about the extent of Woodlawn's work.
  
  I find it unconscionable for Woodlawn to charge $1900 for their work. Their extra charge for filling the hole on Saturday is equally unbelievable to me.
  
  This complaint is only against Woodlawn cemetery and has nothing to do with ****** ******* ****. I have paid ****** ******* **** for their services which includes the $1900 for Woodlawn.
  
  I would appreciate your help in negotiating a reasonable fee for Woodlawn's and a corresponding refund.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/06/2025

  We appreciate the opportunity to respond to this concern and wish to first express our sympathy to the family during this difficult time.  Regarding the allegation of price gouging, we want to assure the complainant and the Better Business Bureau that our pricing reflects standard industry practices and is based on clearly defined cost factors - not opportunism.  Our cemetery is a perpetual care facility, meaning we are legally and ethically obligated to maintain the grounds, infrastructure and overall appearance of the cemetery indefinitely.  This responsibility requires us to ensure sustainable operations through fair and structured pricing.  The interment fee of $1,300 plus $600 is a one time cost and covers such things as scheduling staff outside normal hours, paying overtime and maintenance costs such as filling, tamping grave, seeding, watering when applicable, fertilizing, herbicide, etc; all of this in perpetuity.  We are committed to providing professional, dignified service to every family while maintaining the long-term integrity and beauty of the cemetery.  Thank you for allowing us to clarify this matter.  

  Sincerely,

  ******** ********, Director

  Woodlawn Cemetery