Lawmakers in Colorado are taking action after a shocking discovery at a funeral home, where nearly 200 bodies were found in a state of decay, leading to proposals for comprehensive reforms of the state’s funeral home regulations.
The proposed bills aim to address a series of disturbing cases, including instances of mishandling remains, selling body parts, and providing fake ashes, which have deeply affected numerous families. These cases have prompted bipartisan efforts to introduce new legislation to overhaul funeral home regulations in Colorado.
State Senator Dylan Roberts, a Democrat and one of the bill’s sponsors, emphasized the urgent need for change, stating that too many families have suffered due to mishandling and disrespect of their loved ones’ remains. He described the situation as reaching a breaking point, prompting the introduction of legislation to implement licensing requirements for funeral home directors and other industry professionals.
If passed, the bill would establish Colorado’s first licensing requirements for funeral home directors, requiring background checks, a degree in mortuary science, passage of a national examination, and completion of an apprenticeship. This would mark a significant departure from the current regulations, where funeral home directors are not required to have graduated from high school.
The need for such reforms was underscored by recent incidents, including the discovery of Christina Rosales’s body in a hearse, which had been left unattended in a funeral home’s facility. Rosales’s husband, George Rosales, spoke about the emotional toll of discovering that his wife’s body had been mishandled and that he had been given the wrong ashes.
Another bill set to be introduced will mandate routine inspections of funeral homes by regulators, addressing gaps in oversight that have allowed such incidents to occur. The proposed legislation reflects a bipartisan recognition of the need to strengthen regulations and restore trust in the funeral industry.
Shelia Canfield-Jones, whose daughter’s remains were among those found in the Penrose facility, shared her harrowing experience of discovering that the ashes she had cherished for years did not belong to her daughter. Her story highlights the devastating impact of mishandled remains on grieving families.
While the legislation represents an important step towards ensuring accountability and restoring public trust, Joe Walsh, president of the Colorado Funeral Directors Association, cautioned that it may not prevent all future mishaps. However, he emphasized the importance of adapting and improving regulations to prevent as many lapses as possible and rebuild confidence in the industry.