Colorado Funeral Directors Association
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Vital Statistics

Laws related to death registration and vital statistics.

- The following is the text of those three sections as they appear in the Colorado Revised Codes. Please note that it is by no means all inclusive, and also note that laws and regulations are subject to change.

 The information provided here is intended to assist, however it is not to be considered legal advice nor is it to be considered absolute. If you have legal issues, consult your attorney.

 


Chapter 25, Article 2

Vital Statistics (Colorado Revised Codes)
 

25-2-110. Certificates of death. 

(1) A certificate of death for each death which occurs in Colorado shall be filed with the state registrar or as otherwise directed by the state registrar, within five days after such death occurs and prior to final disposition, and shall be registered if it has been completed in accordance with this section. If the place of death is unknown but the dead body is found in Colorado, the certificate of death shall be completed and filed in accordance with this section. The place where the body is found shall be shown as the place of death. If the date of death is unknown, it shall be determined by approximation.
(2) When a death occurs in a moving conveyance in the United States and the body is first removed from the conveyance in Colorado, the death shall be registered in Colorado, and the place where it is first removed shall be considered the place of death. when a death occurs on a moving conveyance while in international air space or in a foreign country or its air space and the body is first removed from the conveyance in Colorado, the death shall be registered in Colorado, but the certificate shall show the actual place of death insofar as can be determined.
(3) The funeral director or person acting as such who first assumes custody of a dead body or dead fetus shall be responsible for the filing of the death certificate required by subsection (1) of this section. He shall obtain the personal data required by the certificate from the next of kin or the best qualified person or source available. He shall obtain the  medical certification necessary to complete the portion of the certificate
 

25-2-111. Dead bodies - disposition, removal from state, record
(1) Any person requested to act as a funeral director for a dead body or otherwise whoever first assumes custody of a dead body shall, prior to final disposition of the body, obtain authorization for final disposition of  the body. The office designated or established pursuant to section 25-2-103 in the county where the death occurred or, if such an office does not exist in the county where the death occurred, the coroner or the coroner's designee shall authorize final disposition of the body on a form prescribed and furnished by the state registrar. No body shall be buried, cremated, deposited in a vault or tomb, or otherwise disposed of, nor shall any body be removed from this state, until such authorization has been obtained, completed, and approved.
(2) A disposition permit issued under the law of another state which accompanies a dead body or fetus brought into this state shall be authority for final disposition of the body or fetus in this state. 
(3) Repealed.
(4) Any person who removes from the place of death or transports or finally disposes of a dead body or fetus, in addition to filing any  certificate or other form required by this article, shall keep a record which shall identify the body and such information pertaining to his receipt, removal, and delivery of such body as may be prescribed in regulations. Such record shall be retained for a period of not less than seven years and shall be made available for inspection by the state registrar or his representative upon demand.
(5) No sexton or other person in charge of any place in which interment or other disposition of dead bodies is made shall inter or allow interment or other disposition of a dead body or fetus unless it is accompanied by authorization for final disposition.
(6) Authorization for disinterment and reinterment shall be required prior to disinterment of a dead body or fetus. Such authorization shall be issued by the state registrar to a funeral director or person acting as such upon proper application.

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