Family members claim cemetery moved loved ones’ remains

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two families have complained that workers at a South Memphis Cemetery moved the remains of their loved ones.

The allegations were made against New Park Cemetery on Horn Lake Road, although the cemetery’s owner denies this happened.

“I’m devastated. I don’t have words because we tried to put our loved ones to rest and we think we’ve done the right thing and now I feel bad that I brought her out here,” said Donna Spurlock Payne, daughter of the deceased buried at New Park Cemetery.

Payne claims that workers at the cemetery moved her mother, Canary Hardin who was buried on March 29, remains.

“My mother’s not there, she should have been here. Not way up there, because I know the distance that we had to walk and we didn’t have to walk way out here,” Payne said.

New Park owner and president, Jeff Roberts, tells WREG he met the family of Canary Hardin on what he described as a new and active part of the cemetery, assuring them their mother has not been moved and promised to put sod on the gravesite.

Within a few feet of Canary Hardin’s grave marker is that of Kentavion Dancy, who was buried on June 11, 2023.

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“Him and his girlfriend were heinously murdered in the streets of Memphis, ten months ago,” said Alana Copeland, grandmother of the deceased buried at New Park Cemetery.

Copeland also claims her grandson’s remains had been moved because she found that his gravestone had been re-arraigned.

“Now, I paid all my money and our family did to put our child in a safe spot and he’s not there and they’re telling us he is and we’re wrong,” Copeland said.

Roberts says the gravestone was accidentally moved 18 inches sideways by grounds crews but says Dancy’s remains have not been moved.

“The Copeland family has yet to even notify our office and has apparently only talked to News Channel 3. Although she failed to properly register the headstone in question, we have properly aligned it to ensure it is in the correct location,” Roberts said.

The President, Jeff Roberts, of New Park Cemetery also issued the following statement,

“New Park Cemetery is saddened that two families mistakenly believe that their loved ones have been moved. We keep meticulous records as do all cemeteries, and are confident in their accuracy. The overwhelming majority of our families are pleased with our service and we hope to find a way to please these two families.”

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