Colorado Finally Moves to Tighten Regulations on Funeral Homes After Scandals

Murder In The Morning | Daily True Crime News

The shocking revelation in February regarding Miles Harford, a former funeral home owner accused of keeping a woman's corpse in a hearse for nearly two years and mishandling the cremated remains of over 30 individuals, sent shockwaves across Colorado. As the state grapples with the aftermath of this disturbing case, a new bill aims to overhaul regulations in the funeral industry.
Colorado, the only state in the nation lacking licensing requirements for funeral home operators, has been under scrutiny following several high-profile incidents. From the discovery of nearly 200 human remains in an abandoned Penrose funeral home to the sale of hundreds of body parts by an unchecked Montrose funeral home, the state's lax regulations have come under intense scrutiny.
The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 24-137, unanimously passed the Colorado Senate Committee on Business, Labor and Technology on March 26, signaling a pivotal moment in the state's efforts to address funeral home mismanagement. The bipartisan bill is now headed to the Senate Finance Committee for further review.
If enacted, the bill would establish stringent mandates for operating a funeral home in Colorado. Funeral directors would be required to graduate from an accredited mortuary science school, pass the industry's standard National Board Exam (NBE), and complete a one-year apprenticeship. Similar educational and certification requirements would apply to other positions within funeral homes, including mortuary science practitioners, embalmers, cremationists, and natural reductionists.
While the bill has garnered broad support, concerns have been raised, particularly by funeral home operators who lack formal licensing but have operated in the industry for years without incident. However, the bill includes provisions for grandfathering in existing practitioners, subject to specific requirements and oversight.
Under the proposed legislation, licenses for funeral industry professionals would be subject to renewal and would require ongoing education to ensure compliance with evolving standards. The bill also outlines disciplinary measures, including license suspension or revocation, for non-compliance or misconduct.
As Colorado takes steps to tighten regulations in the funeral industry, the bill reflects a commitment to protecting the dignity of the deceased and restoring public trust in funeral home operations. With bipartisan support and a clear mandate for reform, the state aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure accountability within the mortuary science profession.
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