A Detroit Cigar Baron's Mausoleum Was Stripped by Thieves, But No One Ever Told the Family
Susan Burns was shocked to discover that her grandfather's mausoleum at Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit had been stripped of its copper doors and stained-glass window. The theft occurred in 2012 as part of a wave of graveyard crimes at the cemetery, but no one from the cemetery notified her family.
Burns, who lives in Florida, expressed her outrage and frustration that no one contacted her about the incident, even though she is the only living relative of Oscar Rosenberger, the owner of the San Telmo Cigar Company. "It's disgusting, and they did nothing," she said. "I can't believe this. How dare they?"
When Burns visited the cemetery recently, she found that the damage had not been fully sealed. The front of the mausoleum was boarded up, but a rear opening where the stained-glass window had been removed was still open to the elements. Blue tiles from the ceiling littered the floor.
Cemetery officials have declined to comment on the incident or explain why they failed to notify Burns. Everstory Partners, which acquired Woodmere in 2023 and operates more than 465 cemeteries across the country, also refused to discuss specific incidents or family issues publicly.
However, Alan Byrd, a spokesman for Everstory Partners, acknowledged that the company is working to improve conditions at Woodmere. "Since acquiring Woodmere in 2023, we have undertaken a comprehensive effort to modernize operations, strengthen day-to-day management, invest in the property, and improve the experience for the families who entrust us with their loved ones' final resting place," Byrd said.
But Burns is not interested in excuses. She is now looking for a lawyer to file a lawsuit against the cemetery owners, arguing that they should have tried to locate surviving relatives and alert them to the theft and damage. "I don't even know if my grandfather's body is still inside," she said. "How do I know if his body is even there?"
The case highlights concerns about the treatment of cemeteries and their owners by companies like Everstory Partners. At least three families have filed lawsuits against the company in recent months, alleging that it has neglected or damaged gravesites at its cemeteries.
In 2020, the American Moslem Society of Dearborn sued Woodmere, alleging that the cemetery violated a contract for burial space. The lawsuit was settled out of court.
Burns' case is another example of how families can be let down by companies that are supposed to take care of their loved ones' final resting places. "They need to fix that mausoleum," she said. "They can't replace that window. It's irreplaceable. It's priceless."
Susan Burns was shocked to discover that her grandfather's mausoleum at Woodmere Cemetery in Detroit had been stripped of its copper doors and stained-glass window. The theft occurred in 2012 as part of a wave of graveyard crimes at the cemetery, but no one from the cemetery notified her family.
Burns, who lives in Florida, expressed her outrage and frustration that no one contacted her about the incident, even though she is the only living relative of Oscar Rosenberger, the owner of the San Telmo Cigar Company. "It's disgusting, and they did nothing," she said. "I can't believe this. How dare they?"
When Burns visited the cemetery recently, she found that the damage had not been fully sealed. The front of the mausoleum was boarded up, but a rear opening where the stained-glass window had been removed was still open to the elements. Blue tiles from the ceiling littered the floor.
Cemetery officials have declined to comment on the incident or explain why they failed to notify Burns. Everstory Partners, which acquired Woodmere in 2023 and operates more than 465 cemeteries across the country, also refused to discuss specific incidents or family issues publicly.
However, Alan Byrd, a spokesman for Everstory Partners, acknowledged that the company is working to improve conditions at Woodmere. "Since acquiring Woodmere in 2023, we have undertaken a comprehensive effort to modernize operations, strengthen day-to-day management, invest in the property, and improve the experience for the families who entrust us with their loved ones' final resting place," Byrd said.
But Burns is not interested in excuses. She is now looking for a lawyer to file a lawsuit against the cemetery owners, arguing that they should have tried to locate surviving relatives and alert them to the theft and damage. "I don't even know if my grandfather's body is still inside," she said. "How do I know if his body is even there?"
The case highlights concerns about the treatment of cemeteries and their owners by companies like Everstory Partners. At least three families have filed lawsuits against the company in recent months, alleging that it has neglected or damaged gravesites at its cemeteries.
In 2020, the American Moslem Society of Dearborn sued Woodmere, alleging that the cemetery violated a contract for burial space. The lawsuit was settled out of court.
Burns' case is another example of how families can be let down by companies that are supposed to take care of their loved ones' final resting places. "They need to fix that mausoleum," she said. "They can't replace that window. It's irreplaceable. It's priceless."
ever since i heard about the old san telmo cigar company, i always wondered what happened to it. some people might say its good that companies like everstory partners are modernizing their operations and all that but come on they messed up big time with this mausoleum thing at woodmere cemetery. i mean what even is wrong with these ppl? not telling the family or anyone about the theft and damage? thats just rude 
families deserve better, especially when it comes to their loved ones' final resting places. what if this was your grandma or grandpa? wouldn't you want someone to care? 
the fact that they're working to "modernize operations" but not taking responsibility for these incidents is just ridiculous. we need real change, not just some corporate PR spin 
seriously how do u guys at Everstory Partners keep trackin of all these cemeteries? it sounds like they got a bunch of old people just chillin in there and u gotta pay 'em to take care of their dead family members lol what if u didnt know who u were talkin about 
. I mean, come on Everstory Partners, you guys are supposed to be taking care of people's loved ones' final resting places, not stripping them bare 
. The fact that no one from the cemetery even bothered to contact Susan Burns after her grandfather's mausoleum was stripped is just appalling 
. I'm literally sending all my positive vibes to her right now 
. This whole situation needs a full investigation IMHO 
. Companies like Everstory Partners need to be held accountable for their actions 
.
They just leave it to happen and don't even bother to tell the only living relative?! 
It's not like the guy was gonna go out and buy a new stained-glass window himself. And now the place is all boarded up and broken, just lying there... it's so sad. 
This is crazy... I mean, what kind of company just ignores a family for years when something happens to their loved one's grave? Everstory Partners needs to be held accountable for this. I don't think the fact that they're trying to modernize operations and improve conditions excuses them from doing right by families. 
... maybe Burns should focus on raising funds for a new window instead of trying to sue the company 
.
. It's not like it's gonna cost them that much to fix the damage... but no, instead they're trying to sweep this under the rug and hope nobody notices 
. And now Susan is looking for a lawyer because she's worried about what happened to her grandfather's body? That's just crazy talk 
. I mean, you'd think the people at Woodmere Cemetery would have some decency to contact her or anyone else who might be affected by this crime 
. But nope, they just did nothing and left it all up to Susan to find out about it months later 
. No one deserves to have their loved ones' final resting places treated like this 
. I mean, can you imagine if someone did that with your family's memorial? It gives me chills just thinking about it 
. Everstory Partners needs to step up their game and take responsibility for this 
That's what they need – a wake-up call! 
The stained-glass window was like, totally unique and priceless, you know? They can't just replace it, that's like trying to put a price tag on a memory 
. This case is like, so concerning for all the families who trust these companies with their loved ones' final rest 
.
. And now Susan is considering a lawsuit? Absolutely deserved 
. Companies like Everstory Partners need to be held accountable for their actions 
. It's not just about the money; it's about showing some basic respect for families and their loved ones 
.
I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather's mausoleum getting stripped of its copper doors and stained-glass window at Woodmere Cemetery. That's just heartbreaking, you know? I mean, it's one thing to get robbed or vandalized, but for the family not even being notified is just cruel. It's like they forgot that there were people left to care about. 