C.R.S. Section 15-19-107
Declaration of disposition of last remains

(1)

Form.
The following statutory declaration of disposition of last remains is legally sufficient:
DECLARATION OF DISPOSITION OF LAST REMAINS
I, (name of declarant), being of sound mind and lawful age, hereby revoke all prior declarations concerning the disposition of my last remains and those provisions concerning disposition of my last remains found in a will, codicil, or power of attorney, and I declare and direct that after my death the following provisions be taken:
1. If permitted by law, my body shall be (initial ONE choice):
------- Buried. I direct that my body be buried at ---------- .
------- Cremated. I direct that my cremated remains be disposed of as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------ .
------- Entombed. I direct that my body be entombed at ---- .
------- Naturally reduced. I direct that my reduced remains be given final disposition as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------ .
------- Other. I direct that my body be disposed of as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------ .
------- Disposed of as (name of designee) shall decide in writing. If ------------------------ is unwilling or unable to act, I nominate ------------------------ as my alternate designee.
2. I request that the following ceremonial arrangements be made (initial desired choice or choices):
------- I request ---------------------------- (name of designee) make all arrangements for any ceremonies, consistent with my directions set forth in this declaration. If ------------------------ is unwilling or unable to act, I nominate ---------------------- as my alternate designee.
------- Funeral. I request the following arrangements for my funeral:
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------ .
------- Memorial Service. I request the following arrangements for my memorial service:
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------ .
3. Special instructions. In addition to the instructions above, I request (on the following lines you may make special requests regarding ceremonies or lack of ceremonies):
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ------------------------------------------------ .
I may revoke or amend this declaration in writing at any time. I agree that a third party who receives a copy of this declaration may act according to it. Revocation of this declaration is not effective as to a third party until the third party learns of my revocation. My estate shall indemnify any third party for costs incurred as a result of claims that arise against the third party because of good-faith reliance on this declaration.
I execute this declaration as my free and voluntary act, on ------------------------, -----.
---------------------------

(Declarant)

THE FOLLOWING SECTION REGARDING ORGAN AND TISSUE DONATION IS OPTIONAL. To make a donation, initial the option you select and sign below.
In the hope that I might help others, I hereby make an anatomical gift, to be effective upon my death, of:
A.------- Any needed organs/tissues
B.------- The following organs/tissues:
------------------------------------------------------------------- - ---------------------------------------------------
Donor signature: ------------------------------------------
Notarization optional:
STATE OF COLORADO
)
)
ss.
COUNTY OF -------------------)
Acknowledged before me by ----------, Declarant, on ----------, ---.
My commission expires: --------------
[seal]
---------------------------
Notary Public

(2)

Requirements.
The form set forth in subsection (1) of this section is not exclusive, and a person may use another form of declaration if the wording of the form complies substantially with subsection (1) of this section, the form is properly completed, and the form is in writing, dated, and signed by the declarant. A declaration may be witnessed or notarized by at least one person who attests that he or she was present when the document was signed by the declarant.

(3)

A declaration may be revoked by the declarant in writing or by burning, tearing, canceling, obliterating, or destroying the declaration with the intent to revoke such declaration.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Unless otherwise expressly provided in a declaration, a subsequent divorce, dissolution of marriage, annulment of marriage, or legal separation between the declarant and spouse automatically revokes a delegation to the declarant’s spouse to direct the disposition of the declarant’s last remains or ceremonies after the declarant’s death. This paragraph (a) shall not be construed to revoke the remaining provisions of the declaration.

(b)

Unless otherwise specified in the declaration, if a declarant revokes a delegation to a person to direct the disposition of the declarant’s last remains or ceremonies after the declarant’s death, or if such person is unable or unwilling to serve, the nomination of such person shall be ineffective as to such person. If an alternate designee is not nominated by the declarant, section 15-19-106 shall govern. This paragraph (b) shall not be construed to revoke the remaining provisions of the declaration.

Source: Section 15-19-107 — Declaration of disposition of last remains, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-15.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

15‑19‑101
Short title 15‑19‑102
Legislative declaration - construction 15‑19‑103
Definitions 15‑19‑104
Declaration of disposition of last remains 15‑19‑105
Reliance - declarations 15‑19‑106
Right of final disposition 15‑19‑106.5
Disposition of abandoned cremated remains of veterans - liability - applicability - definitions 15‑19‑107
Declaration of disposition of last remains 15‑19‑108
Interstate effect of declaration 15‑19‑109
Effect of criminal charges 15‑19‑110
Natural reduction 15‑19‑201
Short title 15‑19‑202
Definitions 15‑19‑203
Applicability 15‑19‑204
Who may make anatomical gift before donor’s death 15‑19‑205
Manner of making anatomical gift before donor’s death 15‑19‑206
Amending or revoking anatomical gift before donor’s death 15‑19‑207
Refusal to make anatomical gift - effect of refusal 15‑19‑208
Preclusive effect of anatomical gift, amendment, or revocation 15‑19‑209
Who may make anatomical gift of decedent’s body or part 15‑19‑210
Manner of making, amending, or revoking anatomical gift of decedent’s body or part 15‑19‑211
Persons that may receive anatomical gift - purpose of anatomical gift 15‑19‑212
Search and notification 15‑19‑213
Delivery of document of gift not required - right to examine 15‑19‑214
Rights and duties of procurement organization and others 15‑19‑215
Coordination of procurement and use 15‑19‑216
Sale or purchase of parts prohibited 15‑19‑217
Other prohibited acts 15‑19‑218
Immunity 15‑19‑219
Law governing validity - choice of law as to execution of document of gift - presumption of validity 15‑19‑220
Donor registry 15‑19‑221
Effect of anatomical gift on advance health-care directive - definitions 15‑19‑222
Cooperation between coroner and procurement organization 15‑19‑223
Facilitation of anatomical gift from decedent whose body is under jurisdiction of coroner 15‑19‑224
Uniformity of application and construction 15‑19‑225
Relation to “Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act” 15‑19‑301
Board for distribution of unclaimed human bodies - rules 15‑19‑302
Duty of public officers as to unclaimed bodies 15‑19‑303
Claiming of body - publication of notice 15‑19‑304
Disposition of all or any portion of body after death - nonliability 15‑19‑305
Unlawful to hold autopsy 15‑19‑306
Holding of body for twenty days 15‑19‑307
Disposition of remains 15‑19‑308
Expense to be borne by institutions 15‑19‑309
Penalty
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 15-19-107’s source at colorado​.gov