TDCI: Galilee Markers Must Be Claimed By May 17

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI) has received approval from the Chancery Court overseeing the receivership of Galilee Memorial Gardens cemetery (the “Cemetery”) in Bartlett, Tenn. to notify certain persons who may have items on the Cemetery property, specifically granite markers with the names of persons etched on them, and of the procedure to make a claim for such items.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS PROCESS IS TIME SENSITIVE AND ANY APPLICABLE CLAIMS SHOULD BE MADE IMMEDIATELY AS THIS PROCESS WILL ONLY CONTINUE UNTIL MAY 17, 2018. The full list of markers that may be claimed through this process may be found here.

To make a claim for a stone marker that is listed on the list of stones, you must contact Mr. Robert E. Moore, Jr., with Special Deputy Receiver Receivership Management, Inc., at 615-370-0051 or by email at rmoore@receivermgmt.com. To make a claim, you must secure a claim form by contacting Mr. Moore’s office, complete it and mail it back to him with all supporting information, such as a death certificate, purchase receipts, statement of relationship, and the place of burial of the person marked on the stone. If the Special Deputy Receiver receives a single claim to a stone after thirty (30) calendar days have elapsed from the issuance of the initial press release and he believes that the claim is well-founded based on the totality of the information provided, the Special Deputy Receiver is authorized to allow such claimant to take possession of the stone. If two (2) or more claims to a single stone are made within thirty (30) calendar days from the issuance of the initial press release, the Special Deputy Receiver shall attempt to resolve the dispute informally. If no agreement can be made regarding the disposition of the stone within fourteen (14) calendar days of the expiration of the initial thirty (30) day period then the Special Deputy Receiver shall bring the matter before the Court. Failure to make a claim on or before May 17, 2018, may result in a stone being issued to another claimant or not being available to be issued to you. Please be aware that this claims process is solely regarding the items found on the lists provided above.

Galilee Memorial Gardens is currently in receivership with the Department of Commerce and Insurance through the Chancery Court of Davidson County. Through this process, the Department has overseen substantial beautification efforts at the Cemetery, including leveling large parts of the Cemetery and straightening numerous markers. The Department offers its sympathy to those who have been affected by the past actions at the Cemetery and continues to work to ensure that the Cemetery is left for those in the future in the best condition possible.

Media inquiries should be directed to Kevin Walters, TDCI’s Director of Communications at kevin.walters@tn.gov or at 615-253-8941.

All other inquiries, including those regarding making claims, regarding the Cemetery should be directed to Robert E. Moore, Jr., Receivership Management, Inc., at rmoore@receivermgmt.com or at 615-370-0051.

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