Frequently asked questions
Resources for families and next of kin
In the hopes of helping you through this often confusing time, here are some questions family members have asked after the passing of a loved one. Please understand that every investigation is different and some of this information may change, pending each case.
Frequently asked questions
+ Q: Why is the Coroner involved?
A: The Coroner’s office is required to investigate any sudden or unexpected deaths, all deaths not attended by a physician, any deaths occurring within 24 hours of a hospital admission, any deaths involved in a possible crime, and any suspicious deaths. The Coroner determines circumstances, manner, and cause of death. The Coroner’s office inquiry is independent from any law enforcement agency with the purpose of determining the cause and manner of death.
+ Q: Who is the legal next-of-kin?
A: Colorado’s Revised Statues identifies that the legal next-of-kin is designated to the following person(s): Personal representative or special administrator of the deceased individual’s estate, the surviving spouse of the deceased (if not legally separated), a majority of the deceased’s surviving adult children, a majority of the deceased’s parents or legal guardians, or a majority of the deceased’s surviving adult siblings.
+ Q: Where is my loved one being taken?
A: The investigator is taking your loved one to the Garfield County Coroner’s office in Silt, CO. Your loved one will remain in the care of the Coroner’s office until legal next-of-kin has chosen a funeral home for the final arrangements. There is no cost to the family for Coroner’s office services.
+ Q: What do I do now?
A: When you feel you are able to, you should:
Talk with family and friends for support through this difficult time. Start thinking of final arrangements (funeral, burial, cremation, etc.). Then contact a funeral home of your choice. Funeral homes the Coroner’s office commonly works with are provided, however, the Coroner’s office cannot make recommendations and you are free to choose whichever funeral home works best for you and your family. We do recommend contacting multiple funeral homes prior to making any final decisions. See our helpful checklists regarding immediate concerns and other persons to contact.
+ Q: My loved one had property on or with him/her. How do I get these items back?
A: In most circumstances, all clothing your loved one was wearing at the time of their death will be released to the mortuary with your loved one’s body. Personal effects (example: jewelry, wallet, electronics) will be stored at the Coroner’s office for safekeeping until it can be returned. If you are the deceased individual’s legal next-of-kin, you may call the Coroner’s office and make arrangements to obtain the property. Please call the Coroner’s office ahead of time to make an appointment.
+ Q: What about organ/tissue or whole-body donation?
A: The deceased individual must meet certain criteria to be eligible for organ, tissue, and/or whole-body donation. Additionally, deaths under the investigation of the Coroner’s office will require the approval of Coroner staff for donation to proceed. Sometimes the circumstances of the death will prevent donation from occurring. With the consent from the legal next of kin, donation will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Donor Alliance and/or Rocky Mountain Lyons Eye Bank may be contacting the legal next-of-kin for additional information.
+ Q: How long will it take for the Coroner’s office to release my relative/friend?
A: Generally, it should not take more than two or three business days. The Coroner will advise you if there are circumstances that may delay the release. Your funeral home will coordinate the release on your behalf. The Coroner’s office will not release the decedent until we have a verbal confirmation from the legal next of kin.
+ Q: Will an autopsy be performed and if so, how much does it cost?
A: The Coroner determines whether or not an autopsy will be performed. An autopsy is performed in most non-natural deaths, when the cause or manner of death cannot be substantiated, or when the circumstances of death require forensic documentation for prosecution or other reasons. There is no charge for any Coroner’s office service. All autopsies are performed by a board-certified forensic pathologist.
+ Q: My loved one had an autopsy. How do I get a copy of the autopsy report?
A: You can request an autopsy report by email to the Coroner’s office or by calling 970-665-6335. Upon request, autopsy reports may be emailed to the decedent’s next of kin when they are completed.
+ Q: What do I do if I cannot afford to pay for final arrangements?
A: If you cannot afford burial/cremation arrangements you may qualify for monetary assistance through county programs. Contact Human Services for the county in which your loved one resided. Funeral home establishments may have more information regarding monetary assistance through insurances. If your loved one was a veteran, you may contact Veteran’s Affairs for funeral assistance that may be available to you.
There are also alternative final arrangements available that your loved one may qualify for, such as medical research and donation. These programs involve little to no costs, however, they do have time constraints. There are a few donation programs that the Coroner’s office commonly works with.
+ Q: What if my loved one’s death was a homicide or a crime was involved?
A: In determining the manner of death, the Garfield County Coroner’s office adheres to the principles in the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) “A guide For Manner of Death Classification.”[1] The manner of death is a medical classification for statistical purposes and any manner of death certification has no bearing on criminal justice proceedings, or if law enforcement, or a prosecutor should or should not charge a person for a violation of criminal statute.
The 9th Judicial District Crime Victim Compensation Board provides financial compensation to any person who is victimized by violent crime. If the death of your loved one had something to do with a crime, you may be able to apply for victim compensation. Please visit the 9th Judicial District Attorney’s victim compensation page to see eligibility requirements and to file a claim.
+ Q: Where/how do I obtain a death certificate?
A: Generally, the funeral home that handles your loved one’s arrangements will order and provide the death certificates. There is a charge for certified copies. Death certificates are also available through the State Vital Records office or the Local Vital Records office. Please know the Coroner’s office does not provide families with copies of death certificates.
Vital records
Vital Records Section, Colorado Department of Public Health
303-692-2200
State of Colorado vital records email
State of Colorado vital records contact
State of Colorado vital records email
Vital Records Office, Garfield County
Garfield County Clerk & Recorder
970-384-3700
Death certificates
[1] Hanzlick, R., Hunsaker, J. C., & Davis, G. G. J. (n.d.). A Guide for Manner of Death Classification (First). National Association of Medical Examiners.