Resources & Frequently Asked Questions
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Making funeral arrangements — whether in advance or at the time of a loss — is one of the most important decisions a family can make. CFDA is here to help you navigate that process with confidence, clarity, and the consumer protections Colorado law provides.
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Arranging a funeral deserves the same careful consideration you'd give to writing a will or buying a home. Before making any decisions, here are the steps we recommend:
Get price lists in writing. Colorado funeral establishments are required to provide a General Price List you can keep. Request one before making any commitments, and don't hesitate to ask questions.
Compare at least three establishments. Costs, services, and personal fit vary widely. Contact multiple funeral homes in your area before making a final decision.
Verify registration with DORA. All funeral establishments and crematories in Colorado must be registered annually with the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). You can verify status and check for disciplinary actions online at colorado.gov.
Ask about preneed licensing. If a funeral establishment is asking for payment in advance, they must be licensed as a Preneed Contract Seller through Colorado's Division of Insurance. Any individual selling an insurance policy to fund funeral arrangements must also hold an Insurance Producer license.
Ask about CFDA membership. CFDA members subscribe to a code of ethics and pledge to uphold local, state, and federal laws. You can search for CFDA member funeral establishments using our Find a Funeral Home directory.
Bring support. It can be helpful to bring a trusted friend or family member along when visiting funeral establishments.
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The funeral industry has evolved beyond traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. Today, you may encounter storefront operations, funeral brokers, and businesses that subcontract services to other providers. Here are important questions to ask:
Does this establishment have a physical location of its own?
What services are performed on-site versus at a separate care center or third-party facility?
Where is embalming or cremation handled, and who performs it? Does the establishment own its own crematory, or is cremation outsourced?
What services are handled directly by establishment employees, and what is subcontracted? (Transport, embalming, and cremation are commonly handled by outside providers.)
Can you provide a complete list of all third-party providers? Colorado law requires that outside providers be disclosed when you contract for funeral goods and services.
The information on this page is intended to assist consumers and is not to be considered legal advice. If you have legal questions, consult an attorney.
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More Colorado families are discovering that preplanning a funeral — even years in advance — offers real peace of mind. When arrangements are made ahead of time, families are spared the burden of making difficult decisions during an emotionally overwhelming moment, and your wishes are more likely to be honored exactly as you intend.
Preplanning does not mean prepaying. You can document your preferences with a funeral director without entering into any financial agreement.
If you do choose to prepay, keep copies of all paperwork in a safe place and make sure a trusted family member or friend knows where to find it.
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Preplanning is simply documenting your wishes. Your funeral director can walk you through options and provide cost estimates — with no payment required.
Preneed is a financial contract with a funeral establishment to provide services in exchange for advance payment. If a funeral director is asking you to pay through deposits, installments, or an insurance policy, this is a Preneed Contract and the establishment must be licensed as a Preneed Contract Seller with the Colorado Division of Insurance. The individual selling an insurance policy must also hold an Insurance Agent license through that same agency.
Always ask for license verification before signing any preneed agreement.
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CFDA members are committed to ethical, professional service under Colorado law.
Find a Funeral Home [LINK DIRECTORY}
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All funeral establishments and crematories in Colorado must be registered annually with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). DORA's Office of Funeral and Mortuary Science Services investigates complaints and enforces disciplinary actions against those who violate the Mortuary Science Code and applicable program rules.
Complaints must be filed online through DORA's official complaint portal.
You can also learn more about DORA's funeral and mortuary oversight program, including registration requirements and how to verify the status of a licensed establishment, at the link below.
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Professional licenses for funeral directors, embalmers, mortuary science practitioners, cremationists, and natural reductionists are administered through DORA. If your complaint involves the conduct of a licensed individual, the same complaint process applies.