Colorado Funeral Home Fabricated Cremation Records, Gave Families Fake Ashes

A Colorado funeral home where 189 decaying bodies were discovered appears to have fabricated cremation records and may have given families fake ashes.

By Jesse Bedayn and Matthew Brown, a shocking revelation has emerged from Colorado Springs. A funeral home named Return to Nature Funeral Home, where 189 decaying bodies were discovered earlier this month, is under scrutiny for alleged malpractices. The establishment appears to have fabricated cremation records and may have handed over fake ashes to the bereaved families as per information gathered by The Associated Press.

The families that had entrusted Return to Nature Funeral Home with their loved ones' last rites now fear that they may not have been cremated at all. Their apprehensions stem from the possibility that their kin could be among the unidentified corpses found after authorities responded to reports of an "abhorrent smell." Tanya Wilson, whose mother's remains she believes were falsely given as ashes which she scattered in Hawaii in August said: "Any peace that we had... was just completely ripped away from us."

Cremation Records Under Investigation

The funeral home allegedly provided some families with death certificates stating their loved ones’ remains had been handled by one of two crematories. However, these businesses denied performing any such services on the dates mentioned on the certificates. While no arrests have been made yet, law enforcement officials stated that Return to Nature’s owners were cooperating with investigations into potential criminal wrongdoing.

Identification Process Ongoing

Fremont County Coroner Randy Keller stated that numerous remains have already been identified and family members will soon be notified. However, he also added that the identification process is becoming more complex and could take several months to complete.

Evidence of Fake Ashes?

All four death certificates reviewed by AP list a crematory owned by Wilbert Funeral Services but show dates at least five months after Wilbert stopped doing business with Return to Nature due to financial issues. None of the families interviewed received an identification tag or certificate that experts say are usually given to ensure cremations are authentic. The ashes they received were described as having a similar consistency to dry concrete, which has been used previously by funeral homes to mimic human ashes.

Legal Troubles and Financial Issues

Public records show that the owners of Return to Nature, Jon and Carie Hallford, who started their company in 2017 offering cremations and "green" burials without embalming fluids, have been facing recent financial and legal troubles. These include a forced eviction, unpaid taxes and a lawsuit by Wilbert Funeral Services for failing to pay for "a couple hundred" cremations.

Potential Charges Await

Authorities could be waiting until all improperly stored bodies are identified before bringing charges against the funeral home owners. Potential charges under state law could include misdemeanor violations of mortuary regulations and misdemeanor fraud with potential fines topping USD 1 million if each body results in separate charges.

In conclusion, this shocking case from Colorado Springs has left numerous bereaved families devastated as they grapple with the possibility that they may not have been able to fulfill their loved ones' last wishes properly. As investigations continue into these alleged malpractices at Return To Nature Funeral Home, it is hoped that justice will be served swiftly for those affected by this heart-rending incident.