Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann speaks during Tuesday’s press conference. 

State files action against owner of Meridian cemeteries 

 

As a result of unaccounted for perpetual care funds and missing markers at two Meridian cemeteries, Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann’s request for a temporary restraining order in Lauderdale County Chancery Court was granted Tuesday against Meridian’s William Arlinghaus, owner of the cemeteries.

Hosemann’s request for the temporary restraining order was granted by Judge Jerry Mason at 3:11 p.m. The cemeteries at the center of the controversy are Magnolia Cemetery at 2638 23rd Ave., and Meridian Memorial Park, at 9590 Old Highway 80 W. Minutes after Mason granted the request, Hosemann met members of the media on the courthouse steps.

“We’ve received several complaints. We’ve been unable to locate $33,000 in perpetual need trust funds,” Hosemann said. “We conducted an audit and tried to contact Mr. Arlinghaus. We were unable to receive satisfaction and came before Judge Jerry Mason to ask for the temporary restraining order. Mr. Arlinghaus will no longer be able to sell pre-need contracts.”

A hearing for the preliminary injunction is scheduled for 11 a.m. July 8. At that time, Hosemann said he will request an appointment for receivership to operate the cemeteries. In the interim, Hosemann said Arlinghaus is required to bury the dead.

“The original trust funds were $500,000 before Mr. Arlinghaus purchased the cemeteries,” Hosemann said. “The funds remain in trust.”

Magnolia Cemetery and Meridian Memorial Park are the eighth and ninth cemeteries Hosemann said his office has taken action against.

“As a society, we are judged by how we treat our deceased, just as how we treat our children. Today we stop the bleeding,” Hosemann said. “We hope this will give some peace to family members and start the process of healing. This is a sad day. This is one of the functions of the Secretary of State’s office that we’d rather not do. As long as I’m Secretary of State, we’re going to honor our deceased.”

Included in the civil action are allegations that “basic lawn care and road maintenance were not being performed at the cemeteries and that both cemeteries are blighted and overgrown.” 

Court documents also indicate numerous consumer complaints against Arlinghaus in which consumers allege they paid him for memorial markers that were never installed. 

Hosemann said the investigation into the cemeteries began earlier this year.  If there are any questions concerning the cemeteries, Hosemann asked citizens to contact Dave Scott at the Secretary of State’s Office at 601-359-6747 or at dave.scott@sos.ms.gov.