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1. Do I have to pay for the Coroner’s services?

No. Cases under Routt County jurisdiction are of no additional cost to the descendent nor their family. The Routt County Office of the Coroner is a county government office funded by tax dollars.

2. How do I get a death certificate?

Death certificates may be obtained from the funeral home who handled your loved one’s final arrangements. They also are available through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (https://cdphe.colorado.gov/vitalrecords). 

If an autopsy was performed, it may take up to three months for the autopsy results to be finalized and therefore a death certificate to be completed. 

3. How will I know if an autopsy is performed on my loved one?

The legal next of kin may receive notification that an autopsy has been performed. If you are the next of kin and have not received notification, you may call the Routt County Office of the Coroner during business hours. 

4. What do I do next?

We recommend that you seek support from family and friends to assist you in getting through this difficult time. If you are the legal next-of-kin to the deceased individual or the executor of their estate, you need to begin making final arrangements for your loved one. Once you have selected a mortuary to handle your loved one’s final arrangements, they will guide you and help you to fill out all of the necessary paperwork.

5. Who is the deceased individual’s legal next-of-kin?

Per Colorado Revised Statutes, the legal next-of-kin is designated to the following person(s) and progresses in the following order: personal representative or special administrator of the deceased individual’s estate, the surviving spouse of the deceased (if not legally separated), a person with the right to direct the disposition of the deceased’s last remains pursuant to a designated beneficiary agreement, a majority of the deceased’s surviving adult children (biological or legally adopted), a majority of the deceased’s parents or legal guardians, or a majority of the deceased’s surviving adult siblings.

6. I have family members in the military. How do I notify them of the death?

The American Red Cross can assist you in notifying family members in the military and with arranging for their return home. They can be reached at (303) 722.7474.