Carlson v. Glueckert Funeral

• Court: Appellate Court of Illinois
• Decided: February 4, 2011
• Docket: 1-10-0158 Rel
• Status: Published

Opinion

FIFTH DIVISION February 4, 2011

No. 1-10-0158

SCOTT R. CARLSON, Individually and as Coexecutor of ) Appeal from the the Estate of Eleanor Carlson, Deceased; NANCY I. ) Circuit Court of LYONS, Individually and as Coexecutor of the Estate of ) Cook County Eleanor Carlson, Deceased; and SHEILA O’GARA, ) Individually and as successor Coexecutor; ) ) Plaintiffs-Appellants, ) No. 08 L 10138 ) v. ) ) GLUECKERT FUNERAL HOME, LTD, an Illinois ) Corporation; and JOHN GLUECKERT, JR., ) Honorable ) Charles Winkler, ) Judge Presiding. Defendants-Appellees.

JUDGE EPSTEIN delivered the judgment of the court, with opinion.

Justices Joseph Gordon and Howse concur in the judgment and opinion.

OPINION

Plaintiffs-appellants Scott R. Carlson, Nancy I. Lyons, and Sheila O’Gara filed the instant

lawsuit against defendants-appellees Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., and John Glueckert, Jr., seeking

damages relating to a funeral contract and defendants’ handling of the remains of Eleanor Carlson.

The circuit court involuntarily dismissed plaintiffs’ complaint pursuant to defendants’ motion, ruling,

inter alia, that as a matter of law defendants were shielded from liability under the Illinois Disposition

of Remains Act (755 ILCS 65/1 et seq. (West 2008)) (the Act). The trial court denied plaintiffs’

motion to reconsider and this appeal followed. For the following reasons, we affirm. 1-10-0158

BACKGROUND

Eleanor Carlson died on September 15, 2007. Eleanor was survived by her son, Scott Carlson,

her estranged daughter, Denise Fardelos, and her sister, Nancy Lyons. Plaintiffs allege that

approximately one month earlier, on August 10, 2007, Eleanor appointed Scott and Nancy co-

executors of her last will and testament. Eleanor also appointed Scott and Nancy successor co-

trustees of her support trust, of which Eleanor was the primary trustee. Sheila O’Gara, Eleanor’s

niece, was appointed as successor cotrustee of the trust in the event that Nancy was unable to

perform her duties. Eleanor’s will and trust provided that on her death all of her property, including

the trust estate, was to be distributed to Scott. In her trust documents, Eleanor expressly excluded

Denise from her estate. Plaintiffs allege that on August 10, 2007, Eleanor also executed a power of

attorney for health care form, appointing Scott as her agent to, inter alia, direct the disposition of her

remains after her death.

On September 17, 2007, Scott contacted Glueckert Funeral Home to arrange for Eleanor’s

funeral and burial. Scott met with Matt Bennett, Glueckert Funeral’s director, to make the necessary

arrangements and allegedly presented Bennett with Eleanor’s power of attorney, will, and trust

documents as proof of his authority to direct the disposition of her remains. Scott then executed a

form contract with Glueckert Funeral specifying the type and cost of the funeral arrangements.

Bennett informed Scott that the funeral would be held three days later, on September 20, 2007.

Glueckert Funeral subsequently took possession of Eleanor’s body. After the funeral arrangements

were set, however, Denise allegedly contacted Glueckert Funeral and demanded that other, more

expensive, arrangements be made. Glueckert Funeral contacted Scott and informed him that the

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funeral would be delayed due to the dispute. Scott objected to the delay and expressed concern for

the effect it would have on Eleanor’s unembalmed body. John Glueckert, Glueckert Funeral’s

employee, allegedly responded that deterioration would not be a problem and the body could be

stored at their facility indefinitely.

On September 28, 2007, Glueckert Funeral transferred Eleanor’s body to the Lake County

coroner’s office. Glueckert Funeral subsequently informed plaintiffs that it considered Eleanor’s body

abandoned, that transfer of the body to the coroner was necessitated by an investigation being

conducted by the police into the circumstances of Eleanor’s death, and that it had not refrigerated her

body over the last 11 days. Soon thereafter, the coroner informed Scott that it was in possession of

Eleanor’s body, which was extensively decayed. On October 11, 2007, Scott obtained a court order

requiring the release of Eleanor’s body, the details of which are not of record. Scott then made

arrangements with another funeral home, and Eleanor was buried on October 18, 2007.

On September 12, 2008, plaintiffs filed the instant lawsuit, bringing claims for breach of

contract, common law fraud, consumer fraud, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and

“interference with the next of kin’s right to possess and preserve the decedent’s body.” Defendants

moved to involuntarily dismiss plaintiffs’ complaint pursuant to section 2-619(a)(9) of the Illinois

Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-619(a)(9) (West 2008)), arguing: (1) Scott’s power of

attorney was legally insufficient because it was neither notarized nor signed by him; (2) the power of

attorney terminated on Eleanor’s death; and (3) section 50 of the Act shielded defendants from

liability related to their handling of Eleanor’s remains. Plaintiffs responded that Scott’s power of

attorney granted him the authority to direct the disposition of Eleanor’s remains; Denise lacked

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standing to challenge that authority; section 50 of the Act was inapplicable; and unspecified

unresolved issues of material fact precluded dismissal.

On July 9, 2009, the circuit court summarily granted defendants’ motion to dismiss, stating:

“1) The Court finds as a matter of law that because of the dispute between the

decedent’s children as to the disposition of her remains, Defendant is not liable to

Plaintiffs pursuant to 755 ILCS [65]/1 (Illinois Disposition of Remains Act).

2) The Court further finds as a matter of law that the decedent’s Power of

Attorney Form had no legal effect because it specifically stated that it terminated upon

her death.”

On December 17, 2009, plaintiffs’ motion to reconsider was denied. This appeal followed.

ANALYSIS

On appeal, plaintiffs raise only two arguments. First, they contend the circuit court erred in

ruling that Scott’s power of attorney expressly terminated on Eleanor’s death. Second, they contend

the circuit court erred in ruling that a legal dispute existed between Eleanor’s children. We will

address each argument in turn.

“Section 2-619(a)(9) of the Code of Civil Procedure authorizes the

involuntary dismissal of a complaint where ‘the claim asserted against defendant is

barred by other affirmative matter avoiding the legal effect of or defeating the claim.’

[Citation.] Such [a] motion should be granted where there is no disputed issue of fact

and the affirmative matter negates the plaintiff’s cause of action completely or refutes

critical conclusions of law or conclusions of material, unsupported fact. [Citation.]

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Our review of a section 2-619(a)(9) motion to dismiss ‘is limited to

consideration of the legal questions presented by the pleadings, but such review is

independent and need not defer to the trial court’s reasoning.’ [Citation.]

Accordingly, we apply a de novo standard of review. [Citations.] Our inquiry is

‘whether the existence of a genuine issue of material fact should have precluded the

dismissal or, absent such an issue of fact, whether dismissal is proper as a matter of

law.’ [Citation.]” Frydman v. Horn Eye Center, 286 Ill. App. 3d 853, 857-58 (1997).

I. Power of Attorney

Eleanor’s power of attorney form states:

“I, ELEANOR V. CARLSON, do hereby appoint my son, SCOTT R. CARLSON,

of Chicago, Illinois, as my attorney-in-fact (my ‘Agent’), to make any and all

decisions for me concerning my personal care, medical treatment, hospitalization care

and to require, withhold or withdraw any type of medical treatment or procedure,

even though my death may ensue. *** My agent shall also have full power to make

a disposition of any part or all of my body for medical purposes, authorize an autopsy

and direct the disposition of my remains.

***

ABSENT AMENDMENT OR REVOCATION, THE AUTHORITY GRANTED IN

THIS POWER OF ATTORNEY WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE AT THE TIME

THIS POWER IS SIGNED AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL YOUR DEATH, AND

BEYOND IF ANATOMICAL GIFT, AUTOPSY OR DISPOSITION OF REMAINS

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IS AUTHORIZED, UNLESS A LIMITATION ON THE BEGINNING DATE OR

DURATION IS MADE BY INITIALING AND COMPLETING EITHER OR

BOTH OF THE FOLLOWING:

3. This power of attorney shall become effective on execution.

4. This power of attorney shall terminate on my death unless sooner

amended or revoked.” (Emphasis added.)

The form is signed by Eleanor and dated August 10, 2007. With the exception of the italicized

language, which was added by Eleanor, the wording of the power of attorney form is standard, taken

from article IV of the Illinois Power of Attorney for Health Care Law (755 ILCS 45-4/10 (West

2008)), which provides a suggested short form for granting the power of attorney for health care. The

italicized language appears where article IV provides blank spaces to be completed by the principal.

Plaintiffs argue that Eleanor did not initial paragraph 4 and so it never became effective.

Defendants respond that plaintiffs waived their right to raise that argument on appeal because

plaintiffs did not argue it before the circuit court. It is true that “points not argued before the trial

court generally may not be raised for the first time on appeal.” Village of South Elgin v. Waste

Management of Illinois, Inc., 348 Ill. App. 3d 929, 933 (2004). Here, however, in response to

defendants’ motion to dismiss before the circuit court, plaintiffs argued that the power of attorney

form granted Scott the power to direct the disposition of Eleanor’s remains, and in plaintiffs’ motion

to reconsider, they specifically argued that paragraph 4 required Eleanor’s initials to be effective.

Further, the circuit court obviously considered that issue as it was one of the expressed bases of its

ruling. Plaintiffs did not waive their right to argue the validity of Scott’s power of attorney on appeal.

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“A written power of attorney must be strictly construed so as to reflect the ‘clear and obvious

intent of the parties.’ ” Fort Dearborn Life Insurance Co. v. Holcomb, 316 Ill. App. 3d 485, 499

(2000) (quoting Crawford Savings & Loan Ass’n. v. Dvorak, 40 Ill. App. 3d 288, 292 (1976)). The

power of attorney form at issue here purports to grant Scott the power, as Eleanor’s attorney-in-fact,

to direct the disposition of her remains after her death unless certain temporal limitations are

enumerated and initialed. Two limitations are enumerated; neither is initialed. Thus, those limitations,

including the provision stating that Scott’s power of attorney terminated on Eleanor’s death, did not

modify or revoke the language stating that Scott’s power to direct the disposition of Eleanor’s

remains continued beyond her death.

Defendants argue, however, that this reading of the power of attorney form is circuitous

because the limitation in paragraph 4 follows paragraph 3, which states that the power of attorney

will take effect once executed. Defendants argue that “Eleanor did not initial this paragraph either so

if paragraph 4 is not effective for want of initials, then paragraph 3 must also fail. Without paragraph

3, the power of attorney never took effect.” We disagree. The power of attorney form plainly states

that the power granted therein becomes effective when signed, August 10, 2007. As we have already

stated, paragraph 3 was never initialed and therefore did not modify this provision. The circuit court’s

ruling that Scott’s power of attorney expressly terminated at Eleanor’s death was erroneous.

Nevertheless, for the reasons stated below, we decline to reverse the judgment of the circuit court.

II. The Disposition of Remains Act

The second question presented, whether the disagreement between Scott and Denise as to the

disposition of Eleanor’s remains constitutes a “dispute” under the Act, is one of statutory

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construction. It is, as far we can discern, a question of first impression.

“The cardinal rule of statutory construction is to ascertain and give effect to the intent

of the legislature. [Citation.] The best evidence of legislative intent is the language of

the statute, and when possible, the court should interpret the language of a statute

according to its plain and ordinary meaning. [Citation.] We do not construe words

and phrases of a statute in isolation; instead, all provisions of a statute are viewed as

a whole. [Citation.] ‘Legislative intent can be ascertained from a consideration of the

entire Act, its nature, its object and the consequences that would result from

construing it one way or the other.’ [Citation.] Thus, we are not bound by the literal

language of a statute if that language produces absurd or unjust results not

contemplated by the legislature.” In re Donald A.G., 221 Ill. 2d 234, 246 (2006).

Although the circuit court referenced only section 1 of the Act - the short title provision - in

its order, it is apparent from the structure of the statute that the court relied on section 50, which

states:

“Any dispute among any of the persons listed in Section 5 [(755 ILCS 65/5 (West

2008))] concerning their right to control the disposition, including cremation, of a

decedent’s remains shall be resolved by a court of competent jurisdiction. A cemetery

organization or funeral establishment shall not be liable for refusing to accept the

decedent’s remains, or to inter or otherwise dispose of the decedent’s remains, until

it receives a court order or other suitable confirmation that the dispute has been

resolved or settled.” 755 ILCS 65/50 (West 2008).

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Put another way, section 50 provides that: (1) any disputes between persons listed in section 5

concerning the disposition of a decedent’s remains are to be resolved by a court; and (2) funeral

homes and cemeteries will not be liable for their refusal to accept, inter, or otherwise dispose of the

decedent’s remains while such disputes are ongoing.

Plaintiffs argue:

“Since Eleanor’s Power of Attorney did not terminate upon her death and she clearly

left directions in writing designating an agent to direct the disposition of her remains

*** the ‘people’ listed in subsections 1-4 of §5 [(755 ILCS 65/5(1) through (4) (West

2008))] never got the right to dispute Scott’s directions. As a result it is unnecessary

to inquire about whether Denise was one of the ‘persons’ listed in subsections (1)

through (9) of Section 5 [(755 ILCS 65/5(1) through (9) (West 2008))] who could

dispute Scott’s right to control the disposition of Eleanor’s remains. Because that

person was Scott and Scott alone, no one else was authorized to dispute his

directions.”

Defendants respond, in relevant part, that regardless of whether Scott has the right to direct the

disposition of Eleanor’s remains, a dispute concerning that right existed between Scott and Denise.

We agree.

Section 50 does not limit its reach to only those persons whose assertions of right are later

adjudged valid and well-founded, as plaintiffs argue. The reason for this is obvious enough. It is not

the role of funeral homes and cemeteries to judge the relative legal rights of feuding family members.

That task is left to the courts and for good reason. Section 50 expressly applies to any dispute

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between persons listed in section 5, which includes the decedent’s competent adult children. 755

ILCS 65/5(4) (West 2008). Plaintiffs’ argument to the contrary is conclusory and goes against the

plain meaning of the Act. Further, there was clearly a “dispute” between Eleanor’s surviving adult

children concerning the disposition of her remains. The term “dispute” is not defined in the Act.

Under its plain and ordinary meaning, however, a dispute is “[a] conflict or controversy; a conflict

of claims or rights; an assertion of a right, claim, or demand on one side, met by contrary claims or

allegations on the other.” Black’s Law Dictionary 472 (6th ed. 1990). The conflicting assertions of

rights by Scott and Denise, in the plain and ordinary sense of the term, qualify as a dispute concerning

control over the disposition of Eleanor’s remains. Therefore, the circuit court did not err in

concluding that a dispute existed between Eleanor’s children and its judgment is affirmed.

CONCLUSION

For all the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Cook County circuit court is affirmed.

Affirmed.