Governor Polis to decide on new funeral industry regulations in Colorado

DENVER, Colo. (KRDO) - State lawmakers have passed a new bill, also known as “Changes to Practices Relating to Death.” The measure now heads to Governor Jared Polis, and if signed, it will take effect in August 2026.

The bill aims to strengthen oversight and set clearer standards for the funeral industry in Colorado.

Under the legislation, funeral homes must have a physical location that can be inspected and carry at least $1 million in liability insurance. The state will also conduct inspections of funeral establishments and crematories at least once a year.

It expands licensing options, creating new roles like “cremationist” and “natural reductionist,” and introduces an associate license starting in 2027 for people gaining experience in the field.

The bill also outlines stricter rules for handling human remains. Funeral homes must use dignified, sanitary transportation methods and are prohibited from stacking bodies. They’re also required to remove implanted medical devices before cremation and can’t hold more unembalmed bodies than they can properly refrigerate.

In addition, funeral providers must include license numbers on death certificates and contracts, along with contact information for the state agency that handles complaints.

The legislation updates what qualifies as abuse of a corpse, explicitly banning actions like improper disposal, mutilation, selling remains, or storing bodies in degrading conditions.

It also clarifies that families or religious groups can still handle funeral services themselves in certain cases, as long as public health risks aren’t involved.

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