Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/05/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  UnansweredMore 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.

  I am submitting this formal complaint regarding Fort Lincoln Funeral Home and Cemetery due to repeated incidents of negligence, unprofessional conduct, and failure to provide proper maintenance and respectful care of burial sites. As a plot owner, I have experienced significant distress and disappointment in the way this business operates and handles concerns from grieving families.On December 20, 2024, and again on February 9, 2025, I personally witnessed tire tracks over my only son's grave and burial grounds. This is not an isolated incidentthroughout the cemetery, I have observed ongoing trash buildup, repeated vehicle tracks over multiple ******, and a failure to enforce the designated maintenance road for vehicles. These conditions are highly disrespectful to families who have entrusted Fort Lincoln with the care of their loved ones' final resting ********* addition to these issues, I have encountered unprofessional, manipulative, and rude behavior from staff member "SJ" (******* *****). I have attempted to escalate my concerns to "VR" (****** *****) and other members of management, yet my complaints have been met with unfulfilled promises and no real effort to correct the situation. The lack of accountability and leadership has made it impossible to resolve these matters in good faith.I ask that: Immediate corrective action be taken to prevent vehicles from driving over gravesites.Proper maintenance and cleanliness be enforced throughout the cemetery grounds.Better staff training and accountability measures be implemented to ensure respectful and professional interactions with families.A formal response from Fort Lincolns management addressing these concerns and outlining their plan to prevent further incidents.I sincerely hope that Fort Lincoln Funeral Home and Cemetery will take responsibility for these issues and take the necessary steps to improve their service. I appreciate the BBBs attention and assistance in reaching a resolution.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/11/2024

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  After calling Fort Lincoln Cemetery on many occasions with no response, I emailed a complaint to them on 01/08/24 from their website. I told them that my best friend (********) died 9 years ago and was buried in the first spot of my 2-person crypt (#****) in the Garden of the *********. (I plan to be buried with her after I pass away.) I paid for a large ********* Rose burial marker (#*****) at the same time I purchased the crypt (I made monthly pymts from 01/03/1989-11/19/1990) and the marker has still not been placed over ********'s gravesite. Each time ********'s children and I have come to visit her gravesite, we have left separate bouquets of flowers over various gravesites because we have not been able to find her burial marker. I have come into the funeral home on 3 separate occasions over the years, explained the problem and left my phone number and email address at each visit. I have never received a single response. ******** called me from Fort Lincoln on 01/09/24 in reply to my email, and she told me I would need to pay a $980.00 fee before the gravesite marker would be installed. I told her that I was assured years ago that all marker fees were included and paid for, so that I would not burden my children with expenses at the time of my passing. ******** told me that these fees were added to marker purchases in 1985 and that “the rep. working with (me) at the time (in 1988) probably forgot to charge me the fees.” I told her that if the rep. did in fact make a mistake, forgot to charge the fee/s but tell me I had paid them, then the charge/s should not be placed on me now. I am an honest person and ultimately, I want the gravesite marker installed as soon as possible. If Fort Lincoln will not install the marker without a pymt from me, then I would think the least they would do is charge me the cost of fee/s (if any) that we agreed upon in 1988. Better Business Bureau- Thank you very, very much for any assistance you can give me in this matter 

  Business Response

  Date: 01/16/2024

  On January 16, 2024, I spoke with ***************************. Verified she was previously *********************** and owns property with former husband, as our records indicate. Discussed various issues with the memorial, options for changing name, placing property in only her name, resolving issue on additional fees, and other options.  

  Emailed both **************** and **************** with recaps of conversation and followed up as promised in each area.

  Provided a temporary memorial for site of ***************************, so that family can identify her burial site while they seek best way to complete a final memorial for her.

  Will continue to work with **************** so that she may honor her friend, **************, as she most desires.

  Respectfully,

  *************************

  General Manager, Fort Lincoln Funeral Home & Cemetery

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/03/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore 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.

  11/7/2022 I paid $4,480 which was the remainder of $4,890 for my aunts headstone . I was told it would be down in a matter of 8 weeks. I called for an update she said it shouldn’t be too much longer. I called and never got her on the phone again only voicemail. I had to go in person several times and requested the manager to call me personally and she has not called. Went today 2/03/23 and she was hiding and never came out after waiting almost 2 hours to speak with her. I got a call from the order’s department saying it’s still in draft and I need to approve it meaning it’s not even in process yet and it’s supposed to be down by now. Managers are refusing to contact me and speak with me about the matter . I also just had arm surgery and still came to the facility to speak with the manager ****** *****. Once my money was taken I haven’t heard anything back. I was guaranteed that if I pay in for that, they would start making it immediately. Also there’s supposed to be a temporary marker on her grave site but there’s nothing, I was promised that would be there on Monday that just passed and I went on Friday and there’s nothing there.i spoke with someone about this and she said it should be down now so I drove by prior to leaving and still nothing.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/02/2023

  The temporary memorial the family was speaking of was placed. However, family was looking in the wrong location. We ultimately met with them and took them to the correct burial site where they saw the memorial.  We have also worked with the family to resolve their complaint regarding the memorial that they originally ordered.  The General Manager has met personally with the family and spoken with them on the phone, as well as emailed with them multiple times.  Unsure of original date of complaint, but our understanding is that we have resolved all of the issues with **************** and her Mother, ********************** to their satisfaction.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 03/08/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************
    *********************** was the ONLY person whom helped. The other manager was very rude and used horrible language during the interaction.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/14/2022

  Type:Service or Repair 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.

  *************************** (*********) died 3/11/2022. She had purchased a burial polit from Ft Lincoln in 11/23/1992. She moved to Chatham, VA and tried to have the money paid at ft Lincoln transferred to ****** Funeral Home in 1/15/2009. This process was never completed. When I went to ****** Funeral Home to make her Funeral arrangements I was giving her certificate and told I had to deal with ft Lincoln. About a month later I called wanting to sell them back the polit my mother had purchased and was told they do that because it's a conflict of interest, that statement confused me since that's what they do. When I asked how much she paid they said they would get back to me. Haven't heard from them since. When I call back I just get voice mail. Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

  Business Response

  Date: 11/22/2022

  ****************** purchased a burial plot from Fort Lincoln in August 1988. The burial plot may have been able to be transferred to a cemetery near her new home in Virginia. However, the value of the cemetery burial right would not be transferable to a funeral home.  Fort Lincoln Cemetery does not purchase burial plots back. We can assist *** ******s' (*********) family with completing heirship paperwork to determine who is now the owner of the burial right after *** ******s' passing and provide them with information on how they might try to sell the plot themselves. We also provide services to families selling plots by verifying ownership of a plot to potential buyers and assisting with completing the necessary transfer paperwork, including notary public.  Should the family wish to speak with me, they can reach  me at Fort Lincoln by dialing the main number of 301-864-5090.  I would be happy to speak with them regarding this.  Sincerely, Pamela G*********