Why it matters: A Colorado funeral home is under investigation for allegedly providing fake cremated ashes to grieving families and falsifying death certificates. This has led to further distress for the families who trusted the funeral home to honor their loved ones’ wishes.
What they are saying: Bereaved family members who used Return to Nature Funeral Home believe that the ashes they received were not genuine. The funeral home listed third-party crematoriums on the death certificates but those facilities denied having any recent business with Return to Nature. Public records indicate that the funeral home had financial troubles, including unpaid taxes and an eviction notice.
The big picture: This investigation raises concerns about the integrity of the funeral industry and highlights the need for stricter regulations and oversight. Colorado has lenient laws related to funeral services, and this is not the first instance of fake ashes or body part sale in the state.
What to watch: It remains to be seen whether criminal charges will be filed against the owners of Return to Nature Funeral Home. The outcome of this investigation can lead to potential reforms in Colorado’s funeral industry regulations and could serve as a wake-up call for other states to review their own practices.
My take: The alleged actions of Return to Nature Funeral Home are reprehensible and have caused additional pain and distress to grieving families. It is essential for the authorities to thoroughly investigate these accusations and hold those responsible accountable. Stricter regulations and robust oversight are necessary to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future and that families can trust funeral homes to handle their loved ones’ remains with dignity and respect.
