Cremation Providers in the State of Colorado are legally required to obtain authorization from representing family members before they can proceed with the cremation of a body. To do so, we use a legal document known as a Cremation Authorization Form. The Cremation Authorization Form defines our legal obligations to you, describes the cremation process in detail, and allows for the representing family members to designate how the remains should be returned.

Cremations are generally authorized by ALL equal next of kin unless the court directs otherwise. In the United States, this responsibility would first fall upon the surviving spouse, then children, then parents, in order of precedence.

If there is no surviving spouse, for example, the responsibility would be deferred to ALL equal next of kin, requiring consent from ALL surviving children.

It is the responsibility of the family, not the crematory or mortuary to make sure all required signatures are provided.

Identification Preferences

We can allow up to one hour for survivors to identify the body if they wish to do so. The mortuary will prepare the body for the identification by closing the eyes and mouth and cleansing the body as necessary. Be aware, it may be possible to observe signs of decomposition that are beyond the mortuary’s control when there is no embalming.

Transportation

The body will be delivered in a suitable container, accompanied by a signed cremation permit provided by the Department of Health/Vital Statistics. Be advised, all non-combustible materials delivered with the body will NOT be returned with the cremated remains and will become the property of, and be disposed of by the crematory.

Removal of Implants

Implanted medical devices (like pacemakers and radiation-producing devices) are not designed to withstand the extreme temperatures encountered during the process of cremation. In many cases, these devices can explode when exposed to high temperatures, endangering the safety of staff or causing damage to facilities and equipment.

If such a device exists, it is your responsibility to notify us before proceeding with the cremation process so it can be removed. In the event of your failure to inform us, you will be held liable for any damages to the crematory or injury to crematory personnel.

Handling of Cremated Remains

The remains recovered from the cremation process will often contain large bone fragments that will be pulverized to permit their placement in an urn or other container. In the event that the urn or other container will not accommodate all of the cremated remains, it is our duty to contact you to make arrangements for the disposition of the excess cremated remains.

Marked & Labeled Cremation Containers

All containers are marked and labeled before the cremation process begins, ensuring that cremated remains are placed and sealed in their designated urn or container.

Disposition Instructions

We offer a flexible range of options for the return of cremated remains after they have been sealed in their designated urn or container, which include the following:

1. Pick up
2. Burial or Interment
3. Scattering of cremated remains by mortuary staff
4. Delivery via registered U.S. Mail

Be advised that if you prefer to have the urn delivered via registered U.S. Mail, you will be charged for packaging and postage, and must agree to you assume all liability for any damages that may arise from any cause growing out of said delivery.

Cremation is performed by placing the deceased in a casket or other container into a cremation chamber where the temperature is raised to about 1700 degrees Fahrenheit. After about one and a half hours, all substances are burned or driven off except bone fragments; the temperature is not sufficient to consume all of the bone structure which is composed mainly of the metal calcium.

Upon completion, the cremated remains are removed from the chamber. The crematory makes a reasonable effort to remove all of the cremated remains from the chamber, but it is impossible to remove all; some dust and other residue from the process are always left behind. That which is removed from the chamber consists of skeletal remains.

To allow the skeletal remains to fit into a container, they are processed to a state that is virtually unrecognizable as human remains. The crematory makes a reasonable effort to put all cremated remains in the container with the exception of dust and other residue, which may remain on the equipment. What remains after cremation is not what many people would define as “ash”. If you plan to see the cremated remains, you may ask your funeral director for a more detailed description of what you can expect to see.