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Coroner

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1. What is the next step?

You should select a funeral home to make final arrangements. The funeral home representative and the Coroner’s Office will coordinate with each other in order to facilitate these arrangements and to eliminate possible delays.

2. Will the Coroner make arrangements with a mortuary?

No, our office does not select funeral homes.  Surviving family needs to select the mortuary that they desire to handle funeral arrangements.

3. Is it necessary for me to come to the Coroner's Office to identify the body?

No. In a majority of cases, visual identification is not required. Should it become necessary for you to come in or bring other records or x-rays, you will be contacted.

4. Is viewing allowed?

Yes, but keep in mind it may not be advisable.  It will be at the discretion of the Coroner. It is recommended you wait to view at the Funeral Home.

5. Which deaths must be examined?

The Coroner is required by law to investigate all deaths (1) that occur outside a physician's care; (2) that are sudden or unexpected; (3) that cannot be ascertained to be a natural death by documented medical history and circumstances. The involvement of the Coroner’s Office does not mean that an autopsy will automatically be performed. The Coroner's Office may take jurisdiction over an apparently natural death if (1) the death was unexpected and no medical cause can be determined; (2) the decedent was not under the care of a physician, and/ or there is no prior documented medical history to explain the death; (3) the death might be a public health hazard; (4) there are extenuating and/ or suspicious circumstances associated with the death.

6. What is an autopsy and is it really necessary?

An autopsy is the examination of the body to determine the cause and manner of death. It is similar to a surgical procedure. Often, an autopsy can reveal an undiagnosed disease process or abnormality. It may also detect a genetic disorder that could be inherited by surviving family members. In an accidental death, the question of how a disease process contributed to the accident (if at all) must be answered. Often insurance companies will deny payment of benefits until the autopsy results are available. If the death is due to apparent natural causes and there is sufficient evidence of a pre-existing illness or medical condition, an autopsy may not be necessary. However, if there is any question that the death may be due to "other than natural causes" an autopsy will be performed. In an obviously traumatic death, the cause of death may appear obvious; however, there may be contributing, underlying factors. Again, the insurance companies may deny benefits until they receive the autopsy results.

7. What if I disagree with the Coroner's Office's decision to do or not to do an autopsy?

Colorado law (CRS 30-10-606) provides the authority for the CORONER’S OFFICE to perform an autopsy as part of an investigation. We use the following guidelines:

1.  If the autopsy is deemed unnecessary for the investigation, it will not be performed. By law, an autopsy cannot be performed by the Coroner's Office solely for "medical curiosity." If the family or Doctor would like a medical curiosity autopsy to be performed, it must be arranged by the family or by the doctor with the family's permission, and be done by the Pathologist of your choice. You should be aware that the financial responsibility falls upon the requesting party and an autopsy can be quite expensive.

2.  If the Coroner's Office deems it necessary to perform an autopsy as part of the investigation, the law grants us the ability to take jurisdiction of the body to perform the autopsy. There is no charge for an autopsy conducted under these circumstances.

3.  If you or your family should disagree with our decision to perform an autopsy in spite of the benefits and the questions it will answer, you must obtain a Court Order through your attorney to prevent the autopsy from taking place. All legal financial obligations incurred are your responsibility.

8. Will an autopsy report be available?

Yes.  You may obtain a copy by calling the Office of the Grand County Coroner at (970) 724-0083 and requesting a copy.  You will then be instructed to go to the website and fill out the Request for Autopsy Report and send to the office.

Find Form Here

9. How and when can personal possessions be claimed?

Any personal possessions in the custody of the Coroner may be claimed by the legal next of kin. To avoid any inconvenience to you, call the Grand County Coroner's Office at (970) 724-0083 before coming into the office. We will advise you if any documents will be needed and of any other requirements. 

Clothing is not usually considered property. Unless there is a need to hold clothing as evidence, it is released to the mortuary receiving the deceased. Clothing that presents a health hazard may be disposed of for the safety of all persons involved.

10. Where do I obtain the Death Certificate?

If the Coroner's Office is investigating the case and an autopsy is performed, we will issue the Death Certificate. It is given to the funeral home to be filed with State Vital Statistics. The funeral home will issue you as many copies as you request and pay for. Copies may also be obtained from the County or State Dept. of Vital Statistics.

11. What about tissue/ organ donation?

Approval for release is required by the Coroner's Office for tissue/ organ donation in deaths that fall under Coroner Statutes. Only heart valves, skin, long bones, and corneas can be donated after death. Persons on life support may be eligible for organ donation. A donation will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

12. Body Donation

Donor Alliance                                     303-360-6000

Rocky Mtn. Lions Eye Bank                720-848-3959

Univ of Colo State Anatomical           303-724-2410

Science Care                                         800-417-3747

Life Legacy                                            888-774-4438

MedCure                                               866-560-2525

Full Body Donation                              970-248-1219

13. Will I be charged for other Coroner services?

Normally, no.  However, there are exceptions and you will receive written correspondence when, and if, they apply.

14. I need to enter my relative’s or friend’s residence, but it is sealed, what can I do?

In order to enter, you need to obtain permission from the Law Enforcement agency involved.

15. Important numbers

Grand County Sheriff’s Dept.            (970) 725-3343

Fraser/Winter Park PD                       (970) 722-7779

Granby PD                                            (970) 887-3007

Kremmling PD                                      (970) 724-3318

Colorado State Patrol                         (970) 824-6501

District Attorney’s Office                    (970) 725-3371

Grand County EMS                             (970) 887-2732

16. Mortuaries

Hot Sulphur Springs:

Grand County Mortuary                     970-725-9010

 

Steamboat Springs:

Yampa Valley Funeral Home             970-879-1494

 

Lakewood:

Aspen Mortuary                                   303-232-0985

 

Loveland / Ft Collins:

Allnutt Funeral Service                       970-667-1121

Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home        970-667-5885

Viegut Funeral Home                          970-679-4669

Bohlender Funeral Chapel                 970-482-4244

Goes Funeral Care                               970-482-2221

Resthaven Funeral Service                970-667-0202

Vessey Funeral Services                     970-482-5065

17. Cleaning services

(Some Insurance companies will cover the cost of the cleanup.)

Bio One                                                  303-946-8834

Absolutely Clean                                  970-589-0433

Aftermath                                              800-366-9923

Crime Tech                                            719-201-2726

Rocky Mountain Catastrophe            970-722-7744

Steri Clean                                             888-577-7206