WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP?
Frequently Asked Questions:
Many questions arise during this confusing time. The Summit County Office of the Coroner strives to provide answers and to address any questions you have during the course of the investigation.
What is my next step?
What can I do if there is no money for funeral arrangements?
Where does my loved one get taken?
Do I need to make an identification?
May I view my loved one?
Why is the Coroner involved?
Will an autopsy be performed?
What if I disagree with the Coroner’s decision to order an autopsy?
What about Organ Donation?
How long will it take before you release my loved one?
How do I obtain personal effects and items taken into evidence?
Where do I obtain a death certificate?
How do I obtain an Autopsy Report or Coroner’s Report?
Spreading of ashes
What is my next step?
Once you have been notified of a death you will need to select a funeral home to make arrangements. The majority of decedents are not from the area so you should be aware that if you are from out of state, you may choose to make arrangements with your local funeral home of choice. They in turn, will make arrangements with someone in Colorado if the body is to be sent out of state. If you wish to come to Colorado and want to use a Colorado funeral home, keep in mind that the Coroner cannot recommend a funeral home or make funeral arrangements.You can go on-line to:
www.cofda.org to find a list of Denver area funeral homes or you can call our office for a list to be faxed.
What can I do if there is no money for funeral arrangements?
If sufficient funds are not available, your funeral director can give you information on government and non-government assistance sources. If the decedent was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces, Veterans benefits may be sought. If you are a local resident, you can apply for assistance through the Coroner’s Assistance fund. The fund can only give partial assistance. The fund will pay the funeral home directly once eligibility has been determined.
The fund may also pay for grief counseling for those left behind.
Where does my loved one get taken?
Our office has access to a cooler but no morgue/autopsy facility exists in Summit County. We contract with Jefferson County in Golden, Colorado for autopsies.Do I need to make an identification?
No. Visual identification is not required because identification has been made by other means or you would not have been notified of the death.May I view my loved one?
No. The office does not have a viewing area. Jefferson County does not allow viewings either. Once you choose a funeral home, arrangements may be made with them for a viewing. Keep in mind that you will have to wait an average of 72 hours to do so. Viewing may or may not be a sound choice depending on post mortem artifacts or trauma. Your funeral home will usually let you know their opinion, if asked.Why is the Coroner involved?
State law requires that the Coroner be notified on all deaths resulting from sudden, violent, unattended, unexpected or unusual deaths. The Coroner inquires into the circumstances surrounding the death and determines the cause and manner of death through investigation by utilizing witness accounts, past medical or psychological history, toxicology testing or by ordering an autopsy.Will an autopsy be performed?
Each case is evaluated on an individual basis. Generally, an autopsy will be ordered in cases where the death is the result of “other than natural causes”.What if I disagree with the Coroner’s decision to order an autopsy?
The authority to order and perform an autopsy as part of a Coroner’s investigation is provided by Colorado Law (CRS 30-10-606). We understand your apprehension to have this surgical procedure performed and will be happy to discuss your concerns. An autopsy does not impede the ability to view your loved one.What about Organ Donation?
Depending on the circumstances of death, the approval of the Coroner and the consent of the next-of-kin, tissue or organ donation may be possible to help others. An organ donation representative may contact you.How long will it take before you release my loved one?
Depending on whether a “hold” has been placed, we will make all efforts to have an autopsy performed within 72 hours. Your funeral director will coordinate the release on your behalf or you may contact this office.How do I obtain personal effects and items taken into evidence?
These items have been inventoried and logged within 24 hours and you may call this office to make arrangements to pick up these items in person or to have them shipped to you. This office is not responsible for items found in vehicles or residences. Generally, what is inventoried are items used to assist in identification such as papers, wallet, cell phones, or jewelry found with the deceased.Clothing will be inventoried and may be released to the funeral home. Occasionally clothing needs to be held as evidence for further investigation. Clothing that presents a health hazard (blood or otherwise) will be disposed of for the safety of all persons involved.
Where do I obtain a death certificate?
Due to our mountain location, certified death certificates may not be available right away. One cannot be issued until you have decided on a funeral home. A “pending” death certificate is almost always issued as investigations or toxicology results take several days. Your funeral home will make arrangements for as many copies as you need. Effective July 1, 2006, the cost is $17.00 for the first and $10.00 thereafter. Oftentimes with out of state families, it is faster to send a check to our County Clerk’s office. You may call them directly at (970) 453-3470.How do I obtain an Autopsy Report or Coroner’s Report?
Family members may request an Autopsy Report either verbally or in writing. Families will receive them free of charge. Insurance companies or attorneys must make the request in writing and as per statute (CRS 24-72-205) will be charged $1.25 per page. A Coroner’s Report must be requested in writing and the same charges apply.NOTE: Autopsy Reports take an average of 10 weeks. The reason for this is due to toxicology and microscopic evaluation.
The question concerning the spreading of ashes has been asked often enough that it has been included here.
The spreading of cremains has been discouraged by the National Forest Service but not prohibited. You do not need a permit. The Forest Service asks that you keep ashes away from the water table and not spread them in water.
IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT (970) 668-2964