Resthaven Memory Gardens - Avon, Ohio is once again in the news for its unresolved flooding issues.

Avon (Lorain County) Ohio:  

Resthaven Memory Gardens once again is in the local spotlight -  sadly for one of its most glaringly unresolved problems that has plagued this late 20th century cemetery for years, if not for a decade by now -- flooding issues at the gravesites and throughout the grounds -- lest we forget Spring is yet more than a month away.  

"Cemetery known for its issues, says it has plans to fix them" reported by Amanda VanAllen of Channel 5 news (ABC affiliate) in Cleveland - February 18, 2020 - is the latest news story about Resthaven Memory Gardens.  It is the first for the year 2020, but I doubt it will be the last.  

 

 

(The above photos taken by this writer on September 19, 2019 during a time when there was a lack of rain.)

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Resthaven Memory Gardens has 9,142 memorials posted for it on the website "Find A Grave".

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Below is a listing with links for many of the news stories that have come to our attention, both in the media and in print, about the ongoing unresolved problems at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon.:

Avon, Lorain County, Ohio:

Resthaven Memory Gardens – Avon, Lorain County, Ohio.:

Find A Grave.:

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/167888/resthaven-memory-gardens

Elyria Chronicle-Telegram newspaper.:

By:  Contact Bruce Walton at 329-7123 or bwalton@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Facebook @BWalton440 or Twitter @BruceWalton

April 4, 2019:

http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2019/04/04/State-asks-owners-of-Avon-cemetery-to-repair-drainage.html

March 15, 2019:

http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2019/03/15/Petition-seeks-repairs-at-Avon-39-s-Resthaven-cemetery.html

March 6, 2019:

http://www.chroniclet.com/Local-News/2019/03/06/Residents-complain-about-condition-of-Resthaven-cemetery.html

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WKYC – Channel 3 – TV station – Cleveland

April 30, 2019:

https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/flooding-problems-continue-at-avon-cemetery/95-d502e012-5fa8-4f07-855e-7b1d222838e3

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NewsNet 5 – TV station – Cleveland:

February 18, 2020:

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-lorain/cemetery-known-for-its-issues-says-it-has-plans-to-fix-them

April 21, 2019:

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-lorain/local-woman-says-new-law-isnt-helping-prevent-disrespectful-conditions-at-avon-cemetery?fbclid=IwAR3kjXEBsMo-KxR-7tUDfmmCq5eZDvrW90PEpU-J4hDZPXoUAG_-BT6Gpjk

February 20, 2019:

https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/families-say-local-cemetery-conditions-are-disrespectful-after-several-graves-found-submerged-in-water

September 4, 2018:
https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/local-families-said-resthavenmemory-gardens-have-left-them-in-pain

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Channel 19 TV station  – Cleveland:

March 29, 2019:

http://www.cleveland19.com/2019/03/30/resthaven-cemetery-starts-repairs-after-tumultuous-debate/

March 22, 2019 (following the face to face meeting with the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission.:

http://www.cleveland19.com/2019/03/22/embattled-avon-cemetery-promises-put-out-plan-fixing-flooded-grounds/

December 27, 2018:

http://www.cleveland19.com/2018/12/27/avon-cemetery-agrees-clean-flooded-muddy-grave-sites-after-cleveland-investigation/

August 31, 2018:

http://www.cleveland19.com/story/39003616/family-says-avon-cemetery-disrespected-loved-ones-memory-at-gravesite

Fox 8 News TV Station – Cleveland:

December 26, 2018:

https://fox8.com/2018/12/26/family-calls-conditions-at-avon-cemetery-disgraceful/

AND:

Better Business Bureau:
https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/avon/profile/cemetery/resthaven-memory-gardens-0312-22885

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"Rescuing Resthaven" - Private Facebook Group

Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon - The latest Report from WKYC TV - Channel 3 news

Sharing this report with short video that clearly shows how severe the flooding is at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon, Ohio.  This is a StoneMor owned cemetery; which means it is also a private cemetery.  

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Sadly, the protest that was to take place yesterday was stopped by security set up at the cemetery by StoneMor.  
The protest signs created and brought by those who had planned to hold them up high in support of their family and friends buried at Resthaven, however, were permitted to remain if installed at the gravesites. Not long after everyone had left Resthaven, though, the signs were swiftly removed and hauled away. 

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The results from a "Google" search for StoneMor lawsuits in the past year alone sheds more light on this company's all too often lack of responsiveness to resolve complaints in a timely manner.  The story is the same or similar in nature at many of their cemeteries.  
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The Rescuing Resthaven Cemetery Facebook Group is a well organized group that acts as a soundly informed resource for sharing of information. It supports those who seek help with resolving the flooding issues, and other problems that exist at the gravesites of loved ones or friends buried at this once lovely and well kept cemetery.  It is Resthaven Memory Gardens best hope to regain its lost respect and have a brighter future because of their ongoing efforts to save it. 

Sharing the latest reports about Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon, Lorain County, Ohio

YouTube video from WKYC-TV Channel 3 in Cleveland of the proceedings of the Town Hall meeting that was conducted on May  21, 2019 about the dire situation at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon.  

Important Links:

Rescuing Resthaven Cemetery - closed Facebook Group for those who are interested in Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Avon. 

Resthaven Memory Gardens - Facebook Page 

Resthaven Memory Gardens on "Find A Grave"

Channel 19 WOIO news story of March 21, 2019

This latest update spotlights the public outcry to move more quickly to resolve the problems plaguing Resthaven Memory Gardens in Avon, Lorain County, Ohio

Sharing a link to Cleveland's Channel 19 report: "Avon Resthaven Cemetery Follow-Up" video by news reporter Hannah Catlett -- it is a must-watch video! 

The message emphatically presents the urgent need to resolve Resthaven's long-standing and most recent severe problems affecting the condition of the grave sites and those whom wish to visit them.
It highlights how a strongly supportive online petition signed by several hundred people - with added comments - and delivered in person -- to those in the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission meeting, can all help to achieve the desired goal of getting a satisfactory resolution for all involved.  

Currently, Resthaven Memory Gardens has 8,984 memorials posted for it on "Find A Grave."  

A link to:  The website for Resthaven Memory Gardens through "BurialPlanning" 

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The bottom line is that cemetery owners and operators no longer can keep seeking extensions for resolving long-standing problems.  

They have been made aware they are directly accountable for any delays.  They will have to publicly communicate their progress - or lack of it - because there is a multitude of concerned folks who demand answers and will not stop until they are found.