Making a Difference One Family At A Time

I have been pondering to myself what I can do to make a bigger difference to help others who end up in the same situations as those of us whose journey has landed us at White Tanks... I really just feel that going through all of the necessary steps to bring attention to the matter and change policies with the government agencies in Arizona will take too long.  In the time that I spend doing all of that, there will be how many more people placed in the ground at White Tanks Cemetery, without any family notified?!  So, I have decided that my time will be better served if I keep tabs on the obituaries in the Arizona Papers and try to do my own next of kin searches using my missing persons advocacy resources.  I believe that if I do this, I may be able to spare some families the heartbreak that all of us others have already endured.  There are quite a few blurbs put in the paper stating "(Person's Name) died (date), if anyone has information about this person, please call (funeral home name and number).  It is these "obituary listings, as they call them, that have brought many people to me and my organization.  So I believe that maybe if I spend some time working with the funeral homes on my own, researching families and next of kin for these people, on my own, without approaching the government, maybe I can close the gap up?  I would love to hear ANY feedback that you may have about this!

I have been praying about it and this is the answer that I believe God has given me in regards to this issue!

And again, if any of you need anything, please do not hesitate to let me know! You may email me at cleaning44870@gmail.com

Finding Closure Without Attending the Funeral

I found this article when I was doing some research and I wanted to share it because I thought that it is very appropriate for the group of people that we serve! I hope you enjoy reading it! I DID NOT WRITE THIS!

Finding Closure Without Attending the Funeral

·        Posted by Florence Isaacs on August 15, 2011 at 4:00pm

·        View Blog

Q. I’ve been told not to attend my aunt’s funeral, due to a longstanding feud with my side of the family. I had nothing to do with it, and my aunt was always very kind to me. I’m very upset that I can’t say goodbye to her at the funeral home. Should I attend anyway and just sit in the back? Can they keep me out?

A. A funeral is a way to honor the deceased and grieve in the company of family members and friends. It’s a healing experience and an opportunity for forgiveness, although the latter is sometimes in short supply. The fact that everyone involved is grieving can get lost. Yet there is more than one way to say goodbye to your aunt and find closure.

You can call the funeral home to ask whether you can sit in a separate room where you can hear the service. Or you may be able to arrive early for a viewing, before everyone else shows up. It may be possible to watch the funeral online. 

Another option is to say prayers (or sit silently with your thoughts) at your own or a friend’s place of worship. You may even be able to say prayers at the same time the funeral is being held elsewhere. Call the office in advance if you want to talk to a clergyman, as well, or have someone pray with you. 

  

No, these alternatives are not ideal. But they can help you find a measure of peace. They are also options for anyone who has not been banned, but fears his/her presence may upset the family. A simple funeral can become very complicated in this era of blended and reblended families.

As for whether the family can keep you out, that depends on whether they notice you sitting in the back and/or whether they’ve asked the funeral home to restrict admittance. “The family is technically renting a building at the funeral home, and yes they can dictate who can and can’t come to the service,” says Ellen Wynn McBrayer, CFSP, CPC, a spokesperson for the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). In certain cases, the family fears that someone is unpredictable and will make a scene or otherwise disrupt the service. It happens. The police have been called to some funerals to escort a person off the premises.

If you have a question for Florence, please email her atfisaacs@florenceisaacs.com.

Florence Isaacs is the author of several books on etiquette, including My Deepest Sympathies: Meaningful Sentiments for Condolence Notes a.... She writes two advice blogs for Legacy.com: Sincere Condolences and Widow in the World, a new blog for bereaved spouses and partners.

Stories of Others Regarding White Tanks Cemetery

Along my journey, there are so many people who have read my story and have reached out to me, to help. Some of them go there to visit for me, some offer words of comfort about White Tanks and some share their own personal story with me. I would like this page to include some of these interactions with others!

Hi

My name is Anonymous, I am in PA and found your blog,  i am going thru the same thing you are with AZ. 

No one in my family had heard from my father in over a year, now this was not unusual for him, yet for some reason i decided in January to google his name. Well, a blurb in the Phoenix Republic newspaper came up. It was from the Harper funeral home and dated Oct 1, 07, it stated that my father had died 7/28/07 and if anyone had info to call them. I was in shock for a few days to say the least.

I called them and found out that he was buried in White Tanks Cemetary on Nov 1, 07, they thought he was indigent. Well that just isn't true. They kept him at the funeral home for 3 months, yet it seems to me they didn't try hard to find a relative, maybe it is not their job, i don't know.

I then contacted the fidiciary office, they were nice and did confirm he was in White Tanks. They never made an attempt to find any family.  They had his Social Security number and i know that those records list parents names. On his death certificate his parents are listed as unknown, there are a lot of unknowns on his death certificate. They also knew he had a bank account but would not give me any further information.

He also passed in Banner Good Samaritan hospital, they will not give me any info. You seem to have had better luck with them than me.

It seems your search has just begun and you probably haven't been able to obtain a death certificate yet. I had to prove to AZ that i was his daughter with my certified birth certificate. AZ seems to protect it's citizens even after their death. I must warn you that my father was not embalmed, maybe the funeral home was just cutting expenses. I suspect the same will be true of your mother.

I could go on and on, but won't, there are too many details to this puzzle. I am sure you are running through the gammet of emotions just as i did. A day does not go by that i don't think on this matter.  I am going to follow your blog faithfully and wish you the best of luck in your endeavor to change the way things are done and getting your mother home.

 Anonymous

Dear Miranda,

I am writing about article I found on the internet. 

Not sure if you still want contacts concerning White Tanks cemetery. If you are, please contact me at this  e-mail address, we are presently going thru something similar to what happened with your mom.                Anonymous

Dear Miranda,

First, please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your mother.  I came across your post on the city-data.com forum about your mother and read your blog about White Tanks.  I live in Phoenix and I had no idea that White Tanks existed and I am appalled.  Is there anything I can do to help you?

In your discussions with the City of Phoenix, did you get any information from them about landscaping and how the appearance of the “cemetery” might be changed?  I’m asking because I’m trying to figure out if there is anything I can do locally to change the way the cemetery looks.  I know this won’t change what happened with your situation and the fact that the city didn’t do their job by looking for the next of kin, but if I can change the appearance of the cemetery then it would be a slightly better place.  Let me know what you found out and I’ll take it from there.

Sincerely,

MacKenzie

Scott Craven, Reporter with the Arizona Republic says,

"Miranda, I do understand your feelings about your mother being buried in White Tanks. But I wanted to share briefly my experiences out there when watching several burials.

Each Thursday, when burials take place, volunteer chaplains arrive to say a few words over each of the departed. There are prayers, sometimes hymns, and flowers are placed on each casket. The chain gangs I saw were respectful, and many of the inmates volunteered to read a prayer or two as the bodies were slowly lowered into the graves. The chaplains have volunteered out there since around 1992.  Not sure when the story is running, but we are aiming for mid-November. I will keep in touch.

Scott

FREE Assistance for family members of those buried at White Tanks Cemetery

Assistance Offered For Those Needing Information Etc… to Find Closure

Chances are that if you have found this page and this blog, you are probably searching for some answers and assistance to obtain information to help you understand how your loved one ended up at White Tanks Cemetery in Arizona. Let me first tell you, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!  I have been contacted by more than 30 people who have also been disappointed to find that their loved ones passed and were buried at White Tanks without anyone contacting them to give notification.  It is even harder for those of us seeking information to understand how a COUNTY AGENCY is involved in burying these people without the family ever being contacted.  I wish that I could provide you with a solid answer that provides comfort to you and your family, however I just can’t.  I have asked this very question of the Maricopa County Public Fiduciary more than once and I have been unable to acquire a satisfactory answer.  But please know that I have no intention of accepting these unsatisfactory responses from them.  I intend to keep pushing and raising awareness to the situation until I am able to find answers for these families to provide them with closure.  The only way to redeem a negative situation is to create a positive one from what has happened. I intend to make both my mother’s life as a drifter and her death meaningful by making changes to help others.  My mother was the kind of person who cared greatly for others. She had a lot of compassion for other people and would do anything she could to help others.  So I will honor her and celebrate her life by doing what I feel that she would want me to do with this situation.  I also believe that the Lord gives us each situation in our life to build character and give opportunity for our souls to grow and make a difference.  GOD IS LOVE! And he desires for each of us to treat each other with the same love that we do our family.

For those of you who are seeking assistance with your situation, I will use my experience and knowledge to assist you in finding out whatever information you need. The following is the questionnaire that I ask you to complete that gives me the information that I need to help you.  We can usually find out where the person died, how the person died, what funeral home handled the death, what information existed for the person at death, when the person died, exactly where the person is buried at White Tanks, completing the paperwork needed to request the death certificate, paperwork needed to amendment an inaccurate death certificate, paperwork to change the identity information for your loved one so that the proper information is on file regarding their identity (making them a SOMEONE—not a “NO ONE”) in the eyes of others (such as public agencies that process them like pieces of paper/throw aways instead of loved & appreciated family members. Also, some of these questions also provide me with information that will assist me in making the changes necessary to stop this injustice from reoccurring in future years.

1.    Your name, contact information including NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER. (Obviously this is for me to provide you with any received documents, keeping in touch with updates on your case, etc…)

2.    A summary of your life/situation regarding your family member at White Tanks. We are not here to judge you or anyone else. We recognize and realize that bad situations happen, mistakes are made in life, etc… and unfortunately unresolved issues end up like this. Just be honest and tell me how you feel you ended up in this situation. Have you been searching for this person in previous years? Exactly how did you find out that they were deceased? Who notified you of the situation? Did you call and speak with anyone? What agencies, dates and names of who you spoke with.  I need to know if you have attempted anything regarding this situation. I realize many people do not even know where to start with something like this, which is exactly why we provide these services for the families.

3.    Provide any specific death information that you have: Date of death, place of death, etc…

4.    Do you have any information about their prior place of residence when they died?

5.    Have you been to the grave of your loved one? Do you have any desire to do so?

6.    Please give me a summary of your goals for assistance. Tell us in detail what we can do to provide closure for you and your family. Examples of goals: get all information pertaining to their passing, have the ability to place a headstone or other personal marker at their grave site, have their remains disinterred (dug up), processed and mailed to you for processing (urn etc), have a funeral or memorial service for them, have pictures of their grave site and have someone visit and care for your loved ones plot. Tell me what you need or would like to see happen in order for you to feel that you would get closure.  I need to know exactly what we need to do in order to help you out. I will do whatever I can. No goal is too large, don't disregard anything-- tell me exactly what you would like ex. having her moved to closer to you, a headstone allowed, etc...

7.    Do we have permission to use your story and share your story in an effort to support our cause and raise awareness to the seriousness of the issues regarding our loved ones ending up at White Tanks? You have the opportunity to share your information but remain anonymous, if that is what you would prefer—please let us know and we will be sure to delete names from your specific case write up.  It does really help us to be able to share specific details about cases, so if we can do that without being anonymous, it is greatly appreciated however, we do know that some family matters and situations should remain private and confidential.

I look forward to hearing from you and working with you so that I can help you out!

Love and Blessings to you!

Miranda

Find-A-Grave Helps Us to Find Those With Next of Kin in White Tanks

Today while searching google for White Tanks Cemetery, I came across the White Tanks Cemetery Find A Grave page.  Click Here to Visit the Find A Grave Page for White Tanks Cemetery.

I was impressed at the amount of information that is provided by the website. They are still working on adding people, but there are quite a few on there so far.  I can’t help wondering, while I am scrolling through all of the names, how many of these people have family that are searching for them.  Then it dawned on me, a new phase of my project for White Tanks Angels Foundation could be to search and google these names to see if I can find any information for the names listed on the site.  I know that there are still families out there who have loved ones who are Missing Adults. I am guessing that some of those buried at White Tanks are probably estranged from their families or missing from someone’s life.

The website gives note to which of the grave markers have flowers on them.  That’s nice because it gives me an idea of which ones are tended to and which ones are not! It also has a place where you can volunteer to take photos of the markers and upload them to the find-a-grave site.  Find a grave is a volunteer based project and they allow others to take photos and submit them with the person’s information to their site. I would love to be able to do that, if only I could be in Arizona.  If any of my friends down there in AZ, who already take photos at White Tanks, are interested in participating in this project to help get all of the interments listed on the Find-a-grave site, please let me know!  Obviously, my suggestion would be to start with the graves that we are already caring for…  Start with the ones that you already visit and then maybe move on to others.

I am going to be spending some time trying to reach out to the families of those buried at White Tanks and see if there are any others that we might be able to assist. I know there are so many with broken hearts just like ours.  And just because I am fortunate enough to be able to bring my mother home and remove her from that place, does not mean that I no longer have interest in the White Tanks project. I really feel strongly that some things need to be changed in order to prevent others from ending up in the same place that we have with our loved ones.

I would love to hear you guy’s thoughts on this… And anyone interesting in helping me do some searching for the names and next of kin or taking pictures of the grave markers, please send me an email at cleaning44870@gmail.com or send me a message on FB.

God Bless!

Son, David Nebel, Searches for Father- Only to Find Him at White Tanks Cemetery (yet another broken heart)

I received a comment on the blog and a message via e-mail with a new story about someone else buried at White Tanks. I wanted to share this story with all of you because it sounds like he is experiencing many of the emotions that the rest of us have also experienced. It is my hopes that we might be able to offer him some words of comfort and encouragement. It breaks my heart every time that I read another story about a loved one who has been searched for-- being found DECEASED and buried at WHITE TANKS. It is like I remember the heart break that I felt when I found out- and I relive it over and over again each time I hear someone else describe their feelings upon finding out.

Here is a short snip-it of David's story:

My father was buried in lot 7. His name was/is David, I am David jr. I spent alot of time as a child wondering where my biological father could be. My only encounter with him was living in San Diego and him approaching me in a red cutlass. I remember it like it happened yesterday...I ran because i had no idea who he was. Year's later i found my biological side of the family and when i did my mother finally told me where he had been laid to rest in 08. It came as a large shock! He was gone. All of the pursuit to find him, all of the agony and disappointments (and i will admit a taste for wanting to punch him a good one for being an addict free-spirit). 

There is such a large story to tell...so many fact's that my grandmother has given to me...almost being sold into mexico because of him. I inherited many of his demon's... but, I am also at peace that he is at peace.

Another Mother (Lost Touch With their Daughter) and Ended Up at White Tanks

Due to the fact that I have not been given permission to release the information contained in this story, I am calling this woman Jane Doe and I have taken out all private information regarding her loved one. But it is so important for me to publish and show all of the many many people who come forward regarding their loved ones being at White Tanks.

Original Message from Jane Doe:  hi Miranda, I have not taken any steps to even find out for certain that my mother is buried at white tanks so.... I guess I am just putting it off and know it needs to get started. need a push I guess ?Miranda Answer:  Would you like to give me her info and I can call and check for you. Let me help you. I was paralyzed too from all the disappointments and emotional distress.

Reply message from Jane Doe: That would be wonderful. Her name is: Margie. Born Oct XX, 19XX. She was buried at white tanks Jan 10, 2010. I would like to confirm that it is her there in that grave, as all I have is the pic of her metal grave disk with her name and date of death on it. I don't know how she died, when exactly or why she is buried there. All of her mental and medical records had me listed as next of kin (even though I hadn't talked to her in several years). I don't know how much you could find out, but I would appreciate any info. I was not close with my mother but this has left a hurt in my heart and it may just be that I need the answers ???  You're so good for doing what you do. I will definitely check out ur updates in the next couple of days.

Miranda reply:  That's right... now I am remembering when you originally wrote me and told me your story. Your situation is so similar to mine! Sounds exactly like me and my mom. My mom abandoned me, due to multiple personality disorder and alcoholism, when I was 13 years old. I spent years looking for her. Posting on the internet, calling around, etc... but had not successfully been in contact with her for several years.

Then in 2009, a Private Investigator took on my case for FREE, as a favor from a newly established friend in the Missing Adults network Peace4TheMissing. He went and talked to some people that I had given him information on. See, I broke some laws in a desperate attempt to get information about where my mother was (that is not something I would normally do-- but I really was so absolutely desperate to find her- for her own well being because I was told by the court system that they had her listed as transient (homeless). 

So what I did was hacked into her Credit Report and found that there was a medical collection bill there for critical care received March 2007.  They said that her Mercy Care Plan (insurance) expired February 28, 2007.  I pretended like I was her and called the collection company...  I had them verify for me what the last known addresses were on file because I had not received a bill. They gave me the address which led me to the Westward Ho (where I then sent the private investigator).  After calling the medical examiner's office, I found out that my mother actually had passed away on March 1, 2007. Her friend at the Westward Ho, had received a call from a nurse at Desert Samaritan Hospital-- and was told that my mother was terminal and only had a couple more days to live.

So, I know that the medical records had the correct Social Security number on it for them to have ended up on her credit report.  But when they buried my mother, some how, the funeral home or fiduciary office said that they received no information for social security number from the hospital death records.  They said they only had a date of birth which was listed as 07/18/1955. And somehow, they found a social security number for her, which I do NOT understand-- because it is TOTALLY wrong. And that birth date that they had was a year off- but the correct day and month.So, when I tried to apply for her death certificate, I put her correct date of birth and social security number on there-- and the vital stats office denied me the birth certificate saying that their information and mine didn't match!

So, now the problem that I have is that technically speaking, my mother's social security number still says she is ALIVE! And she has never been registered as deceased. I don't even know how to begin to fix any of that. And I need to apply for her death certificate with the wrong information so that I can at least retrieve it-- because, like you, I have no idea what she died from, although I know where she died. Now that her body is being disinterred and sent home to me, I just need to straighten out the paperwork issues associated with her passing. I need to obtain her death certificate, then apply to have her death certificate changed and then talk to the Social Security Administration to find out how to report her REAL Ohio SS number as deceased.

I am fully aware that not having answers definitely leaves an open wound in your heart and soul. It is like a dark cloud that looms over you, casting a shadow on everything you do in life. I believe that the situation with my mother is much of what has cause my Fibromyalgia and other related medical conditions. I can tell you that getting even SOME of those answers makes it a little easier to cope with a loved one's passing.  So, because I know exactly how you are feeling- I would love to be able to help in providing you with some closure. I will do what I can to try and get you some of those answers. I will make some phone calls either today or Monday.

Love,Miranda

Forms for the Disinterment and Cremation to be sent to me...

My Mother is FINALLY Coming Home! After 18 years, she returns to me...

Today I received the package of papers in the mail that is required to put together a disinterment.  I did not do this, Jeff Knapp did it for me. I had tried to start it numerous times, but even the smallest obstacle that I hit made me devastated-- so I just QUIT! I couldn't do it anymore. I could not emotionally stand to face one more disappointment in regards to my mother or her death. So Jeff, being the angel that he is, picked up the torch for me and carried it... He gathered all the paperwork, made all the phone calls and then packaged everything up and sent it to me.  He ALSO PAID for it IN FULL!  The total process from beginning to finish (being my mother's ashes arriving to my house in the mail) costs a little over $3,100.  I fully intend to speak with Jeff in the coming weeks to get an exact idea of the process that he went through to do this, that way when others come to me asking for help-- I know where to point them.  But for now at least, I can put up pictures of the forms that I have to sign and notarize to have my mother shipped home to me. (See my next blog post for the form pictures)

I have waited to have my mom back home with me since I was 13 years old. I have searched for her... and in finding out about her death and burial at White Tanks, I was devastated, because I felt that I would NEVER get the closure that I need to move on with my life.  I thought she would never be home with me. She would always be stuck there in that barren desert... miles and miles away from me. I would never be able to visit her or go to her resting place to talk with her.  And today, Jeff has made all of that a REALITY for me. Upon receiving the letter and package of papers today, I cried hysterically and uncontrollably for approximately 2 hours. It was as if someone just busted down the damn wall that I had built up over the last five years. All of the tears that I had held in about this... just let loose and there was no stopping it.  

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!  I was dragging my feet on doing stuff for the White Tanks Angels Foundation and helping others in their journeys because I was both physically and emotionally shut down from all the repeated disappointments and devastation.  But today, Jeff has delivered a gift to all of us... he has provided for me what is needed to gain closure and he has given me motivation to see through all of the similar stories stories that I have been presented with.  He has allowed me to see light and hope in all of this and now I can pass that along to others. Before, I was dark and gloomy and had nothing to offer to anyone really.  

I hope that my story will be an inspiration to all of you with loved ones at White Tanks. It is my great hope to begin some fund raising so that I might be able to start giving the much needed closure to others in the same situation as me!  If you are interested in assisting with getting the Foundation up off the ground and on its way to success, please let me know! Any and all assistance will be embraced fully! I am only one person and I can't do it all, although sometimes I think I can ;)
God Bless to All

Chloe, A Daughter Desperate to Bring Her Father Home

Hi Miranda, my name is Chloe and I have been searching for something, anything really on this topic and couldn't find a thing until I came across your blog post. 

My situation is so confusing and I don't mean to bother you. I don't know if you will read this or even respond but if you don't I understand.

My dad passed away a few weeks ago and because of the strange place he was found they took him to the medical examiner, they had to get him finger printed to find out who he was, when they notified me my cousin went and identified him and they said they had to move him to a funeral home because they couldn't keep him there any longer. I then called my funeral home, paid and made arrangements for the funeral for him to be buried next to my grandma and grandpa. I called the funeral home they transferred him to and told them I was his daughter and that I was going to have him transferred. -- The day he was supposed to be transferred I called them and they told me in a very rude way that they buried him that morning at WhiteTanks Cemetery.

It wasn't even 2 days after I had spoke with them. They told me no one had contacted them and there was no next of kin. Then they proceeded to tell me about their "extensive" search for next of kin (I don't know how you can do an extensive search in 48 hours)... but I had talked to them!

Now I have to get a permit to move him to where he belongs and I cant even have a proper funeral or viewing. Its hard enough losing someone you love, but having someone be so heartless and rude-- while telling you they threw him in a box and got rid of him like nothing really hurt me. 

I have no idea what to do and am just looking for anyone to help or give me some kind of advice. Like I said I wont blame you if you don't reply or read this at all. It is just a shot in the dark and I am desperate. Thank you for your time if you do read this. 

Chloe

Update on Miranda and White Tanks

Hey everyone, I just wanted to take a second to tell you that I have been working on constructing some letters to bring awareness to the public fiduciary and related issues with our loved ones being at White Tanks.

Life has been a bit crazy and busy for me lately, but I have not forgotten any of you or about White Tanks and trying to get something done or changed. Mary has given me permission to use her story with Jon, the weight champion, as a person of a status to try and bring some kind of attention to White Tanks.

This cause is dear to my heart and I have not forgotten about it or any of you. However, it takes a long time, lots of writing and contacts to make anything happen. I am looking to start a letter writing campaign. I need for any of you that are interested to please let me know either by replying to this blog, contacting me on FB or sending me an email at cleaning44870@gmail.com

The White Tanks Letter Campaign will be to focus on legislators ordering a review of the policies and related procedures to burying someone at White Tanks. It will also include contacting the funeral homes that work with the public fiduciary to find out what their related policies are and what their experiences are with this. I would like to collaborate a list of the funeral homes that we know are used, but each of you providing me with the name of the funeral home who took care of your loved ones. I am only one person and the letters of one, crazy woman are not going to be enough to make any difference. The purpose of bringing together a group, such as ours, is so that we can be strength in numbers both for supporting each other and also bringing about awareness and change to the situation. I hope to be in contact with each of you individually about your feelings on this! God Bless and keep your heads up! Praying for each of you!

Sincerely,
Miranda Rhuda
White Tanks Angels Foundation




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Assistance for Those Who are Searching for Answers

First of all I would like to suggest that each of you fighting this fight for your next of kin, to get as much as possible in writing. If you have email, obtain email addresses for those you want to contact and share them with others. Do everything in writing so that their answers are in written formats. If we are ever going to be able to go after them for unethical behavior, we will need the proof! So if you can at all, put your requests in writing and request that your answers are put in writing also.

For those of you, such as Chloe and others having issues with the way that the funeral home handled your loved one, I am suggesting that we all write letters or call this organization with our stories about our situations. See what the ethics board and committee can do about assisting us. I can't do this all by myself folks, it is going to take more than just one person to come forward in order to move anyone to do anything about this situation and the way they handle things!

By regular mail:
Arizona State Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers
1400 West Washington, Suite# 230
Phoenix, Arizona 85007
By phone: (602) 542-3095

By email: information@azfuneralboard.us

Also, I was told to start with the Arizona Maricopa County Public Fiduciary Office in regards to getting answers about my mother's indigent burial. They can provide you with the information such as date of death, what funeral home they came from and why they were dealt with the way that they were... we all need to request that the FIDUCIARY office is held accountable for what is happening with our next of kin! Each of us should write a letter or call and request some answers!  Here is their contact information-- you call them or write them and hold them accountable. Feel free to use the White Tanks Angels Foundation as a reference and backing! God Bless to each in your efforts...

Security Center Building
222 North Central Avenue Suite 4100
Phoenix, AZ 85004

Hours: 8am to 5pm M-F except holidays

Phone: 602.506.5801 | Fax: 602.506.2495
After Hours: 602.506.5801 (Emergencies only) 

Well known Powerlifter, Jon Frederic Cole, laid to rest at White Tanks

I received the following message from Mary Cole, widow of Jon Cole who was an ASU graduate, power lifter and Olympic athlete for the World's Strongest Man. She is beside herself at the fact that her husband has been laid to rest in such a barren desert place. She wants nothing more than for him to have an honorable service and celebration of his wonderfully lived life of success. He did so much for so many others. It is my hopes that by publishing this story, I might be able to gain some assistance for Mary Cole and raise awareness of the issues surrounding having a loved one buried at White Tanks or other indigent cemeteries. Why would such a well known athlete end up in a pauper's grave? Makes no sense to me... Where are all the people who knew him? Mary is without funding and is paralyzed in her grief. She is in much need of support and assistance. If you are interested in linking up with her to help out, please get in contact with me on fb by messaging or friending me... or you can send me an email at cleaning44870@gmail.com make sure that you put in the subject line: Jon Cole or White Tanks.

The following is the message received from Mary Cole:

"I just want it to be known that I did not abandoned my husband Jon even though circumstances make it seem that way. We had nothing but each other when he died,(which is all you really need). We had no life insurance, and no family to help. I felt like I was paralyzed and still do. There are no words to describe how strong the love and the passion for each other was and still is. I see no future without him. We lost our house a few years prior; and, it wasn't long after Jon was put into the hospital, I lost what little bit we had left in storage, for non payment. The only income we had was his Social Security Check and since I am only 49, I do not get survival benefits, no income, no job, I had moved us out of the  studio we were living in to be with him at the hospital and nursing home facility 24/7. Because,my home was where ever he was. I am living in our truck right now. My love for him has only gotten stronger which makes being apart even harder.

My husband, Jon Frederic Cole, died on 11/29/2012 after I had the hospital take him off the life support that he had been on for 17 days. When he was rushed to the hospital on August 24, 2012, he went into Septic Shock. He fell victim to an antibiotic resistant blood infection. For three months  he fought hard to not leave me and I experienced everything with he went through. 

For the 10 short years we were married, we were never apart. I was so fortunate to be able to go to work with him every day. He was a personal strength training Coach, he was my coach, that's how we met..Jon Had been into nutrition, strength and being healthy his entire life. Jon went to ASU on a Athletic Scholarship. Jon Cole was the first strength coach at ASU. He started their weight training program, writing programs for the Football Team Coached by Frank Kusch. He was an AAU Shot Put/ Discus Thrower and represented the United States while touring Europe. He owned and operated the first weight training facility in Scottsdale AZ. The Jon Cole Systems. And he competed in the very first Strongest Man  competition along with Lou Ferrigno. Jon's portrait is in ASU'sAthletic Hall Of Fame.

If you google Jon Cole Power lifter,(and I hope you do), you can read about some of the great things he has done.

What can I do to have a nameplate put were his body is? I was going to have him cremated; Was he cremated or buried? Can someone please help me. Thank you

SincerelyMary Joann.Cole (Wife)

I have done research on this email and Jon Cole, please see this link to learn more about him http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Cole_(weightlifter)

Join FB Group and Subscribe to Blog Please (makes it easier to update everyone)

To everyone that is interested in keeping up to date with the White Tanks efforts, helping others or are requesting assistance- I am asking that you please go to https://www.facebook.com/groups/463365900408581/  and join our facebook group. It will be much easier for me to keep up with the requests and for everyone to be able to comment, enourage and dialogue with one another. There are so many of us with broken hearts over our relatives that have ended up at White Tanks and I would love for the group to be a sort of support group! I hope that you will all join and request to add to the group! God Bless to you all. I have been on vacation and have been so busy, but I assure each and every one that has requested assistance, will be given it ASAP! Also, if you have not, please SUBSCRIBE to the blog here on blogger so that you are sent emails for posts that are updated. By doing that, it will assure that I get the messages needed to everyone instead of having to make sure I send individual emails out to everyone!

Broken Hearts: Email from a daughter who lost her father

Hi Miranda, my name is Chloe and I have been searching for something, anything really on this topic and couldn't find a thing until I came across your blog post. My situation is so confusing and I don't mean to bother you and I don't know if you will read this or even respond but if you don't I understand.

My dad passed away a few weeks ago and because of the strange place he was found they took him to the medical examiner, they had to get him finger printed to find out who he was, when they notified me my cousin went and identified him and they said they had to move him to a funeral home because they couldn't keep him there any longer. I then called my funeral home paid, and made arrangements for the funeral for him to be buried next to my grandma and grandpa. I called the funeral home they transferred him to and told them I was his daughter and that I was going to have him transferred. The day he was supposed to be transferred I called them and they told me in a very rude way that they buried him that morning at white tankscemetery, it wasn't even 2 days after I had spoke with them. They told me no one had contacted them and there was no next of kin, then proceeded to tell me about their "extensive" search for next of kin (I don't know how you can do an extensive search in 48 hours) but even then I had talked to them. Now I have to get a permit to move him to where he belongs and I cant even have a proper funeral or viewing. Its hard enough losing someone you love but having someone be so heartless and rude while telling you they threw him in a box and got rid of him like nothing really hurt me. I have no idea what to do and am just looking for anyone to help or give me some kind of advice. Like I said I wont blame you if you don't reply or read this at all, It is just a shot in the dark and I am desperate. Thank you for your time if you did read this. Chloe

FIndagrave.com Has Reached Out to US

The following is an email that I have sent to the founder for findagrave.com as they wrote me an email reaching out and offering to go out and take pictures for any of our loved ones graves out there at White Tanks. If there is anyone interested in this, she is asking that we provide the plot location for our loved ones. You can call the cemetery and give them the name and dob and they can tell you where the plot is located.If you need help, please let me know and I will try to do what I can. I am sorry that you guys have not heard much from me, as I have been away from home and dealing with quite a bit lately! God Bless...

Email from FINDAGRAVE.COM

Good evening,

Have you ever heard of www.findagrave.com?  It's a wonderful group that has a large amount of members who will take volunteer photos of a headstone or cemetery.  I have received a lot of requests for this cemetery and will be headed out there trying to gather information on hours of operation and when we are welcome to visit.  I have no problem taking photos of the markers.  Maybe some of the requests have already been fulfilled through www.findagrave.com

 

Thank you,

Sarah Trumpe

623 418 6552 cell

sntrumpe@gmail.com

MY REPLY TO HER:

Sorry I am so late getting back to you, I have been terribly busy and away from home. I appreciate your assistance in indexing the burial plots at White Tanks. Its nice to think our loved ones are included and it would be really helpful in assisting people in searching for their loved ones. By putting the names and graves on findagrave.com - you would probably be doing great service to those searching for their loved ones who end up there and know nothing about it.

I searched everywhere on the internet to find my mom. I also do geneology research, so I would love to be able to attach a picture of my mother's grave site to my ancestry tree!

Thanks so much for reaching out. Please let me know if there is anything that you might need!

Miranda

Letter Received today from yet another disappointed loved one

(I have made a commitment to not release anyone's name without permission, but I feel it is so important to share these stories with everyone so that they can understand how WIDE SPREAD this issues truly is...)

Dear Miranda,

My brother who has been estranged from the family for about 10 or more years died on Feb 2, 2013 and was buried on Feb 23, 2013  at White Tanks. The Abel Funeral Director told me it was a well cared for cemetery. Then I saw the photos today.

I contacted the Maricopa County Burial Dept. to ask for the location of his burial site. I have yet to get called back.

I would like to have a death  certificate. I filled out the application on line. I sent a photo of my passport, a notarized signature, and a copy of my Dad's obituary who has the same name as my brother and names him as his son and me as a sister. All documents were returned to me today saying I haven't given them enough documentation. 

This p.m. I received your site with stories of so many people who want to bring their loved ones home and SHOULD BE allowed to do it. We do not know how many are buried on top of one another. One witness says that a cement slab is put on top of the "casket". This should be stopped at once. I am sure the politicians do not know this. Letters should be written in the local newspapers and a local TV program should be advised....maybe CNN would like the storry.There is no justice and I am going to bring my brother home no matter what!

White Tanks Angels Foundation Facebook Page

Hey everyone, I just wanted to all let you know that I have started a page on Facebook for the White Tanks Angels Foundation. I am hoping that all of you will go to the group page and join! If you don't necessary want to be publicly affiliated with the foundation, you could also add me personally as a friend on facebook.
Just make sure when you send me an add friend request, that you give me a little note that says you are from my White Tanks Blog.

White Tanks Angels Foundation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/463365900408581/
My personal profile site on Facebook  https://www.facebook.com/miranda.skinn

I hope that you will join me one way or another!  Social media is an excellent way to get information out. It can be shared with so many people so quickly!

Also, there are multiple photos of the services and cemetery on the facebook group page of White Tanks  Hopefully these pictures will provide a little comfort to those seeking answers. Seeing the series of photos is almost like being there for a loved ones service from beginning to end. Every burial and service performed is done so in the same manner. They wanted every person treated equally out there, hence, why there is no private markers allowed.

To view the pictures visit the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/463365900408581/photos/

Thank you and God Bless,   Miranda Rhuda

Letter Received About White Tanks Cemetery

I am so saddened to hear your story. I can't imagine what it felt like to find your mother's obituary like that. Nothing I do can undo how her life story went, but  I hope you can find some small piece of comfort knowing that your mother is and will continue to be more than a one line obituary.

I go to White Tanks Cemetery often. Every soul resting there is important to me and has a special place in my heart. The stories of the people laid to rest there are often sad and tragic, if the person's name is even known at all. I walk up and down the rows, saying each name I pass aloud and cherishing the the fact that they were, and still are, a part of all our lives. I feel that everyone on this planet is a part of one family. Every life is valid and special to me.

As I have done with Miranda's mom, I will visit your mother's place each time I go. I leave little trinkets or flowers or sketch things in the dirt, hearts and symbols etc, just to leave some love. Miranda told me about her mother, how she was creative and liked home-made things and I do my best to honor and celebrate that each time I visit. I try to take pictures each time and email them, but very often my phone won't take the pictures or they won't email or upload. For some reason electronics just don't function well out there.

I attached a pretty recent picture of the rose fields that stretch for miles just on the other side of the dirt road from the cemetery. It really is a beautiful place. Heart breaking and still, but it has a quiet beauty that I have never seen anywhere else.

If you can't find her plot number I can look for her based on the date she passed. Burials are done one next to the other so knowing the date will narrow my search area down considerably. I will keep your mom's love of dogs in mind. Please feel free to tell me anything about her.

There are other's who understand the circumstances of White Tanks Cemetery. Some by choice, others by circumstance. I'm sure you know all the burials are done by prison inmates. From what I have heard the program is life changing for those chosen to participate. It's humbling and real and has a profound effect on the prisoners. They stand in place of loved ones and say a prayer with a minister for each burial. Once a year a church group gathers at the cemetery and has a ceremony where the name of each person buried that year is read aloud and a flower placed on their grave. As I said before, I tried to take pictures of all the flowers placed around, but my camera wouldn't have it. 

I will go out to the cemetery next week and do my best to locate your mom and send some pictures, for you as well Miranda. If either of you have something special you would like me to do please don't hesitate to ask. Any bit of peace a I can offer another person brings peace to me as well.