When you lose a loved one, visiting the cemetery can be a way to remember them.
One Macon man says it's almost impossible for him to do that because of the conditions at Woodlawn Memorial Park in east Macon.
Jermaine Merriweather says the state of the cemetery is unacceptable.
Merriweather posts on Facebook, "Everyone should take care of the dead, because one day you will be a member also. Woodlawn is no longer a cemetery, it's a forest."
Shannon Brooks echoed that saying, "It's ridiculous out there. Not to mention those big holes."
Robert Oglesby posted his outrage as well, saying, "I was totally disgusted and embarrassed that my relatives were buried there."
Merriweather visits his father's grave about once a month.
"The physical bond is gone, but our emotional bond is still as good as it was when I was a little boy," said Merriweather.
Visiting his dad's grave at Woodlawn Memorial Park can be stressful, but he says there is more to it than that.
"The grass at some parts are as high as cornrows," said Merriweather.
Merriweather says he spends 30 minutes each visit cutting the grass and weeds that grow at his father's grave.
He says he worries about potholes on the bumpy road too.
"Now you have the added weight of tearing your vehicle up, and we all know vehicle repairs aren't cheap," said Merriweather.
Merriweather is not alone.
Gwendolyn Bryant says her son and mother are buried at the cemetery as well.
Bryant says she has to cut the grass around their graves.
The Georgia State Board of Cemeterians says state law requires the cemetery owner to maintain burial grounds.
The board defines care and maintenance to include mowing the grass at reasonable intervals, raking and cleaning the grave spaces and continuing to upkeep the roads.
13WMAZ's Sabrina Burse tried to reach out to the owner, Leigh Hasty, several times by phone and at the cemetery's office.
No response was given.
Merriweather says he tried to contact Hasty many times over the years but hasn't gotten an answer either.
Kelvin Collins with the Better Business Bureau says people can file business complaints online.
"Once we get both sides of the complaint, then we know what direction to go," said Collins.
Collins says the business has seven to 12 days to respond, otherwise the business rating decreases on the bureau's website.
Woodlawn Memorial Park has three complaints--two of them unresolved.
The cemetery has a "B" rating.
"A consumer with a dispute deserves to be heard," said Collins.
Public cemeteries have what's called a perpetual care trust fund or maintenance fund used to pay for their upkeep.
"Money shouldn't dictate the cemetery being like this," said Merriweather.
Merriweather says it's not about money, but respect for families and those they've laid to rest.
"I'll keep speaking until I can't speak anymore to help change this situation. It's saddening that these folks have passed on and just forgotten about," said Merriweather.
If a cemetery owner sells more than 50-percent of their grave lots, Georgia law gives the owner access to 95-percent of the perpetual care trust fund.
Since 13WMAZ was unable to reach the owner of Woodlawn Memorial Park, we don't know if that is the case for it.
People can file complaints with the State Board of Cemeterians directly online.
Submit a complaint in writing to the appropriate board at 237 Coliseum Drive Macon, GA 31217-3858 or submit one online through this form.
If you have additional questions, you can email soscontact@sos.ga.gov.