An investigation was launched after more than 50 decomposing bodies were found improperly stored in a Chicago funeral home, authorities said on Thursday.

The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said it was notified of bodies that were being improperly stored at South Chicago Chapel funeral home, located at 2939 E. 95th St. on the city’s Southeast Side, by Chicago and state officials.

MEO investigators and forensic pathologists went to the funeral home on Thursday afternoon and found more than 50 bodies “in various states of decomposition,” authorities said.

Staff with the MEO are assessing the conditions of the remains, searching for documentation regarding identification of the bodies and death certificates – a process that could take several days.

Investigators could be seen outside the funeral home late Thursday night.

“The MEO will work with authorities to identify these decedents as quickly as possible and notify their families,” officials said.

Neighbors of the building that has operated as a funeral home for at least 86 years said they’ve been smelling something nasty for a while.

“I was wondering what that smell was,” one man said. “I would smell like rotten sewer, and just a foul smell. It’s unbearable.”