Family says mother’s gravestone at Evergreen Cemetery was missing during Mother’s Day visit

A class action lawsuit has been filed against Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside. Many loved ones have alleged that gravestones were damaged or gone.

Matt Trapani and Nick Meidanis

May 16, 2023, 2:30 AM

Updated 346 days ago

Share:

A missing gravestone upended Mother’s Day plans for a woman trying to visit her late mother. It happened at a cemetery that has a history of issues.
A class action lawsuit has been filed against Evergreen Cemetery in Hillside. Many loved ones have alleged that gravestones were damaged or gone.
“It was Mother’s Day weekend, so we wanted to go show my mom some love,” says Wymeerah Jeffress.
Jeffress says that she first thought that someone stole her mother, Rachel Bragg’s, gravestone.
“We couldn’t find my mother, so that’s where the panic came a little bit,” she says.
RELATED: NJ Cemetery Board investigating Hillside cemetery; management denies any wrongdoing News 12 reported on this cemetery two years ago when families found caskets of loved ones unearthed and open. Others came forward about missing grave markers. The suit makes claims of illegally stacked bodies.
“I need to know if my mamma’s bones are in there, so you need to tell me if her and her bones are gone,” says Jeffress.
Jeffress says she has workers look on Monday and they figured out that the stone didn’t actually get moved, it was just buried under two feet of grass and dirt.
"When he put the shovel in there…I said, ‘Oh he just hit something,’” Jeffress says.
She noticed a new gravestone in the area and thinks that led to her mother's being buried.
News 12 could not reach the management for comment. The state says it currently has no investigation into the cemetery.


More from News 12
2:15
SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

SUV crashes through Dunkin' in Old Bridge

1:47
Cold start ahead of a beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey

Cold start ahead of a beautiful, sunny afternoon for New Jersey

2:17
South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

South Brunswick implements plan to prevent fatal crashes

0:42
Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

Police: 3 women accused of stealing nearly $600 worth of merchandise from Target

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

0:28
Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

Former Carteret middle school teacher accused of sexually assaulting student

2:28
Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

Main Street New Jersey: Showcasing the best of North Brunswick

0:42
Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

Former NJ national guardsman who set off large FBI manhunt pleads guilty to capitol riot charges

0:33
Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

Somerville man indicted in murder of high school classmate

0:27
Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

Police: Bronx man beaten, stabbed at Showboat Resort Atlantic City; 1 arrested

2:09
Paws & Pals: Bogey now up for adoption with JerseyGirls Animal Rescue

Paws & Pals: Bogey now up for adoption with JerseyGirls Animal Rescue

1:37
Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

Guide: How to dispose of prescription medicines in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York

0:23
New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

New York Giants add explosive receiving threat, taking Malik Nabers of LSU at No. 6 in NFL draft

0:17
Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

Jets trade down a spot, take Penn State offensive tackle Olu Fashanu at No. 11 in NFL draft

2:34
KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

KIYC: NJ mayors call for tougher penalties for young criminals, but are juvenile crime stats increasing?

2:34
Airlines now required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled, delayed flights

Airlines now required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled, delayed flights

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

10:25
Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

Gov. Murphy answers viewers questions on ‘Ask Gov. Murphy’ program - April 25, 2024

Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects

Gusts of activity underway by friends and foes of offshore wind energy projects

0:39
Jersey Proud: US Coast Guard lands helicopter at school for career day

Jersey Proud: US Coast Guard lands helicopter at school for career day