Grave Robbery: WV Cemetery Owner Bilks Families

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WHEELING, WV – Jeffrey Phares, 65, is facing up to two decades in federal prison after admitting he pocketed money meant for grave markers at four West Virginia cemeteries, leaving families waiting for memorials that never arrived.

Phares, who owned Greenlawn Memorial Park (New Martinsville), Elkins Memorial Gardens, Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery (Clarksburg), and Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Jane Lew), pleaded guilty to wire fraud. According to court records, Phares repeatedly took payments for headstones, got design approvals from customers, then diverted the funds for his own use.

Instead of ordering the markers, he strung victims along with lies about delivery delays. The feds estimate the total scam cost grieving families between $250,000 and $550,000.

As part of a deal with prosecutors, Phares will be forced to pay restitution to his victims. The exact amount will be determined before his sentencing.

The FBI, along with the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office and Wetzel County Prosecutor’s Office, led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod Douglas is handling the prosecution.

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