On October 13, 2023, in Penrose, Colorado, a significant find was made at the Return to Nature Funeral Home. Investigators reported a count of 189 decomposed bodies, a number that markedly exceeds the initial estimation of 115 in an investigation that has been ongoing.
This revelation has raised concerns among local residents, especially those who had employed the funeral home’s services.
An odor, likened to decaying matter, led neighbors to alert authorities, triggering the investigation into the funeral home. Subsequent findings pointed towards potential mismanagement in the storage of the bodies. To ensure proper assessment, the remains were transferred to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.
The Return to Nature Funeral Home, notable for its emphasis on environmentally-sensitive burial options, offers “green” burials which don’t involve embalming. They employ biodegradable caskets or shrouds, aiming to leave a minimal environmental footprint. Additionally, their cremation service includes planting a tree in a Colorado National Forest as an enduring remembrance.
But, having a green approach does not excuse the funeral home from legal protocols. By Colorado standards, bodies should be either buried within a day or adequately cooled. Observations indicate that the funeral home didn’t adhere to these guidelines, resulting in the decomposition of the bodies.
The funeral home’s owner, Jon Hallford, had previously made known his taxidermy ventures on the property to regulators. In the face of the ongoing investigation, Hallford agreed to an inspection on October 4, 2023, indicating his commitment to address the matter.
While the probe is in progress and no formal arrests have been made, it’s been suggested that the funeral home’s staff coordinate with the Sheriff’s office. This combined effort is expected to provide a holistic view of the situation.
The developing situation has left many families, previously associated with the funeral home, distressed and seeking further information.
