Nov 11, 2024
When Bart Gruzalski passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, his brother Phil wanted to ensure he was remembered. Phil ordered a grave marker from Gast Monuments, a Chicago business that had been open for more than 140 years.
“They’ve been [here] almost as long as my family’s been here in Chicago,” Gruzalski told reporters. The business was also located just a few streets away from his brother's cemetery.
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But for the next two years, Bart’s grave remained unmarked. Despite reaching out to Gast Monuments several times, Gruzalski never received his brother’s marker. The company’s Google review page includes reviews from customers going back several years claiming Gast Monuments did not deliver their monuments. The company's social media pages include similar complaints.
“This is like a disaster, you know, that there’s so many people affected, so many people that really got robbed," he said.
Gruzalski’s just one of several customers in Lake and Cook counties who’ve been duped, but customers are fighting back.
Over 100 customers say they were defrauded
More than 120 customers across the Chicago metro area claim they were defrauded by the company, which has now closed its doors. Several lawsuits have been filed by customers and even owner Katie Gast's own family members.
According to these claims, grieving families paid for headstones, grave markers, and even mausoleums that were never delivered. One lawsuit was filed by three siblings who ordered a $300,000 mausoleum from the company in 2019. As of 2024, the project had not been started.
According to their suit, Gast “engaged in a pattern of taking money from grieving families” while “bragging about” traveling around the country, referencing an Instagram post from Katie Gast with the caption:
"12 months of adventures. 83 hours of road trips. 27 flights. 16 states. 26 cities." The post also lists the cities she visited, including Key West, Panama City, Baltimore, San Francisco and Houston.
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Gast's uncles have filed their own lawsuit against her, accusing Katie, her brother, and her father of taking out loans against company assets and lavishly spending on personal expenses, including her wedding, travel, a home for herself and her brother and other luxury items.
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Avoid being victimized yourself
Scammers often target people when they’re most vulnerable, banking on them not having the mental or emotional energy to recognize red flags — especially when dealing with established companies they believe they can trust. These grieving families are often focused on honoring a loved one’s memory, making them more susceptible to emotional appeals and false assurances.
But there are several steps you can take to help protect yourself during a personal loss. Always verify a company’s legitimacy by looking up reviews on platforms like the Better Business Bureau, Google and Facebook.
When you land on a company to work with, ask for a detailed contract that includes a timeline for delivery, itemized costs and refund policies. A reputable business should be willing to provide this information and be upfront about potential delays.
Use a payment method that offers consumer protection, such as a credit card. If items aren’t delivered on time, most credit cards will allow you to file a chargeback to recover funds. Track all payments and communication, which can support your claim if issues arise.
Finally, consider legal recourse if you feel you’ve been scammed or items haven’t been delivered as promised. Filing a report with your local Attorney General or the state’s consumer protection agency can put pressure on companies taking advantage of families during a vulnerable time.
As for Gruzalski, he eventually ordered a grave marker from another company for his brother's grave. While he did win the court case against Gast, he remains skeptical that he’ll get his money back. Gast Monuments has closed its doors, and Katie Gast has relocated to Texas, according to NBC Chicago.
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Danielle is a personal finance writer based in Ohio. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Motley Fool and Business Insider. She believes financial literacy key to helping people build a life they love.
