The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who has done business with a Greensboro cemetery since January 2019 to contact investigators as a criminal investigation continues into the cemetery’s operations and its apparent failure to comply with state law.
The Guilford County Sheriff’s Office announced that investigators are examining Piedmont Memorial Park Cemetery on McConnell Road in Greensboro at the request of the Guilford County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation involves questions about whether the cemetery has been operating legally, as well as complaints from families about the condition of the property.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Piedmont Memorial Park Cemetery is currently not in compliance with the North Carolina Cemetery Act – which regulates private cemetery operations.
The Sheriff’s Office is working with the North Carolina Cemetery Commission and the Greensboro City Attorney’s Office to investigate the situation.
The trouble began attracting considerable public attention earlier this year when families complained that the cemetery had become so overgrown that some graves were difficult to locate.
WXII 12 reported that grass had grown knee-high in some areas and that some graves were almost completely covered by vegetation. In some cases, flowers and memorial items were the only visible indications of burial sites.
Those problems eventually attracted the attention of state regulators.
On Sept. 10, the North Carolina Cemetery Commission issued a cease-and-desist letter to National Vault Services Inc. – the company identified as the cemetery’s owner.
The commission stated that it had no record of National Vault Services holding the license required to operate a private cemetery.
The commission also questioned whether the company was operating the cemetery illegally.
National Vault Services was given until Sept. 30 to respond and confirm that it had ceased any activities violating the North Carolina Cemetery Act. According to subsequent news reports, the commission received no response from the company by the deadline.
The matter was then referred to Guilford County District Attorney Avery Crump for investigation and consideration of possible legal action.
The District Attorney’s Office requested that the Sheriff’s Office conduct a criminal investigation.
The ownership history also raises questions.
According to Guilford County property records cited by FOX8, National Vault Services has owned the cemetery since 2019.
State business records show the company was administratively dissolved after failing to file a required annual report in 2023, although it was reinstated on April 23, 2026.
Meanwhile, the cemetery itself has been advertised for sale.
The roughly 30-acre property was listed online for $150,000.
Despite the investigation and licensing issues, families who have loved ones buried at Piedmont Memorial Park Cemetery are still permitted to visit their graves.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that visitors may continue visiting and memorializing loved ones as normal. However, investigators warned that portions of the property could be temporarily closed if additional examination is necessary.
If that happens, the cemetery entrance will be marked with yellow tape. Authorities said the tape would be removed as soon as possible in order to minimize disruptions.
The Sheriff’s Office also issued a warning to anyone considering making funeral or burial arrangements at the cemetery. Anyone planning a service or burial at the property should first contact the North Carolina Cemetery Commission to ensure that all legal requirements are being met.
Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who’s conducted business involving the cemetery since January 2019. That includes people who purchased burial plots, arranged burials or conducted business directly with the cemetery, National Vault Services, a funeral home or another business acting on the cemetery’s behalf.
Authorities have also asked people with payment records or written agreements involving cemetery plots to preserve those documents.
The Sheriff’s Office acknowledged that the investigation is especially sensitive because of the emotional importance of the property to families who have loved ones buried there.
Officials said they’re committed to conducting a thorough and objective investigation while minimizing disruptions for cemetery visitors.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities haven’t announced criminal charges.
Anyone with information about business conducted at Piedmont Memorial Park Cemetery since January 2019 is encouraged to contact Guilford County Sheriff’s Office Detective J. Lolar at 336-641-2683.
Information may also be provided to Guilford County Crime Stoppers at 336-373-1000.
