Heights Crematory Cremated Remains

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office is working to reunite family members and loved ones of decedents who made final arrangements for cremation with Heights Crematory.

The Illinois Comptroller's Office ordered the closure of Heights Crematory located at 230 E 11th St. Chicago Heights, IL 60411. Under Illinois law, the Comptroller's Office transferred cremated remains from Heights Crematory to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office for disposition.

The Medical Examiner's Office was exclusively tasked with disposition of the cremated remains. The Office worked in partnership with the Illinois Department of Vital Records and Indiana Department of Health to verify 504 cremated remains.

The Medical Examiner's Office invites loved ones who made final arrangements with Heights Crematory or whose funeral homes utilized Heights Crematory for cremation to pick up their cremains. This web page contains a list with descriptions of the cremated remains in the Medical Examiner’s Office.

To retrieve the cremated remains delivered from Heights Crematory, residents are asked to email MEOfamilyservices@cookcountyil.gov to set an appointment to pick up remains at the Medical Examiner’s Office located at 2121 W. Harrison St., Chicago, IL 60612. 

Due to the nature of these appointments, walk-ins and arrivals outside of appointment times cannot be accepted. Appointments are necessary and are limited to the Medical Examiner’s business hours Monday - Friday 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Office will send a confirmation email with the date and time to retrieve the cremated remains. At the time of the appointment, loved ones will need to bring a valid photo ID and will be required to complete an Authorization for Release of Cremated Remains. The cremated remains will only be released to the authorized representative and next of kin.

We understand that this process may cause emotional distress, and we encourage you to seek support.