CFSB Index - Colorado Funeral Service Board

Colorado Funeral Directors Association
Professionalism, Standards, Compassion & Service since 1898

Mission & Vision

Board of Directors

Directory of Members
Funeral Establishments
Supplier Resources
Join CFDA

Licensing Requirements
Mortuary Science Regulations
Operating a Funeral
Establishment in Colorado

What is the CFSB?
Licensing Requirements for
Funeral Service Practitioners
How to Apply for Certification

Tips for Consumers
Advance Funeral Arrangements
& Preneed Funeral Plans
Is your Funeral Service
Provider Certified?
Questions about Cremation
How to File a Complaint

Post a Job Opening

Continuing Education
Annual Convention

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Colorado Funeral Service Board

At this time, Colorado is the only U.S. state that does not license funeral service practitioners or funeral establishments.

Colorado's Legislative Assembly abolished the licensing system in 1982 and the legislature has repeatedly rejected attempts to restore a licensing system, most recently in 2006 when a licensing bill was vetoed by then Colorado Governor Bill Owen.

The Colorado Funeral Service Board (CFSB) -- previously called the Mortuary Science Commission -- was created in 1982 by the funeral service industry to promote professionalism under a voluntary system of certification, registration and the development and maintenance of standards.

Participation in the CFSB's professional certification program is strictly voluntary. By maintaining strict standards, CFSB certification is recognized by other state licensing boards for reciprocal requirements.

More than 200 funeral service professionals are certified by the Colorado Funeral Service Board.

These individuals have committed to upholding high ethical standards, a high degree of professionalism, continued practical competence and ongoing education that will benefit consumers and the funeral service profession in Colorado.

Click here to see a list of these certified professionals.

How Do I Apply for CFSB Certification?

Click here for applications and instructions.

Individuals may apply for certification in four categories based on sufficient education, training and experience and must agree to maintain the standards and ethics of the CFSB.

Mortuary Science Practitioner (MSP
Certified Funeral Director (CFD)
Certified Embalming Technician (CET)
Certified Intern/Trainee

Since the certification program is voluntary and is not mandated by the State of Colorado, the Colorado Funeral Service Board has no enforcement authority over legal or regulatory violations.

The CFDA is seeking licensure for funeral service practitioners and funeral establishments.

House Bill 1123 has been introduced in the Colorado General Assembly in 2008 that will offer consumer protection based on standards of competence, honesty, trustworthiness, fairness and professionalism; and that also promotes standards of practice to protect the health and safety of the public and employees of funeral establishments.

Although funeral directors are not licensed by the State of Colorado, it is not accurate to say funeral service in Colorado unregulated. The CFDA web site contains a sampling of State Laws & Regulations, regulatory agencies and enforcement authorities involved with funeral service.

It is believed that there are more than 1,000 individual practitioners and more than 500 businesses in the funeral service industry in Colorado today.

For Consumers

The CFSB may assist consumers in resolving complaints.

Anyone may file a complaint, but he/she must do so in writing and must sign the complaint within one year of an incident. The complaint should include a detailed account of the facts involved in the case and should be specific about the expected resolution.

Click here for more information about filing a complaint

Click here for Consumer Tips about Funeral Planning and PreNeed

The MORTUARY SCIENCE PROGRAM at Arapahoe Community College is the only ABFSE-accredited program in Colorado. The Colorado Funeral Directors Association and the Colorado Funeral Service Boards stand behind ACC's commitment to excellence in mortuary science training.

For information on requirements of other states or the names of other accredited Schools of Mortuary Science contact:

Colorado Funeral Directors Association (CFDA)
P. O. Box 631664, Highlands Ranch, CO 80163-1664 Phone 303-791-2336, Fax 720-344-5297
Email to CFDA