Direct Cremation in Colorado: Process & Legal Requirements

Direct cremation is the simplest end-of-life option available in Colorado. There is no viewing, no funeral service held at the funeral home, and no embalming. The body is transported into the funeral provider's care, identified, refrigerated, cremated once all legal authorizations are in place, and the ashes are returned to the family. The process usually takes 7 to 10 business days from intake to return of ashes, depending on county filing times.

The legal framework in Colorado

Colorado regulates cremation under Title 12 and Title 25 of the Colorado Revised Statutes, and through the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). The most important rules for families to understand are:

• Authorization by the legal next of kin. A cremation cannot occur without a signed cremation authorization form completed by the person with the legal right to control disposition — typically the surviving spouse, then adult children, then parents, then siblings, in the order set by statute.
• Death certificate. A physician, coroner, or medical examiner must certify the cause of death. The certificate is filed with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) through the local county registrar.
• Cremation permit. Colorado requires a separate cremation permit issued by the county before cremation can take place. The funeral provider files for this on the family's behalf.
• Waiting period. Colorado law requires that at least 24 hours pass between the time of death and the cremation, unless waived in writing by the coroner.
• Identification. The body must be positively identified before cremation. We use a metal ID disc that stays with the remains through every stage of the process.

The process, step by step

1. First call

You call us at (303) 887-9233. We confirm the place of death and dispatch a transport team. If the death occurred at a hospital, hospice, or nursing facility, we coordinate directly with their staff. If it happened at home and a hospice nurse has already pronounced death, we come to you. If it was an unexpected death at home, the county coroner is involved first and will release the body to us when ready.

2. Transportation and intake

Your loved one is transported with dignity to our Denver facility, identified with a permanent ID tag, and placed into refrigeration. Refrigeration is included in the $800 flat price — there is no per-day storage fee for normal turnaround times.

3. Paperwork

We send you the cremation authorization form, the vital statistics worksheet (for the death certificate), and any required disclosures. Most families complete and sign these online or over the phone. We file the death certificate with the county and obtain the cremation permit.

4. Cremation

Once the permit is issued and the statutory waiting period has passed, the cremation is carried out. The ID tag remains with the remains throughout. After cooling, the cremated remains are processed and placed into the temporary urn included with the service (or an upgraded urn if you have chosen one).

5. Return of ashes

You can pick up the ashes at our office, arrange local hand-delivery within the metro area, or have them shipped via USPS Priority Mail Express (the only carrier legally permitted to ship cremated remains in the United States).

What you do not need

You do not need a casket. You do not need embalming. You do not need to purchase a vault. You do not need to host a service at our facility. Any add-ons beyond the $800 flat package are entirely your choice.

Common questions about Colorado law

Can I scatter ashes in Colorado? Yes. Colorado does not prohibit scattering on private land with the owner's permission. National forests and most state parks allow scattering with simple guidelines (away from trails, water, and developed areas).

Can the cremation happen the same day? Generally no. The 24-hour waiting period, the county permit, and the death certificate filing all take time. A realistic minimum is 3–5 business days; 7–10 business days is more typical.

Does Colorado allow witnessed cremation? Yes, witnessed cremations are permitted. Contact us if this is important to your family — there is an additional fee but we can usually accommodate it.