Q. WHERE WILL MY RELATIVE/FRIEND BE TAKEN?
A. They will be taken to the Grand County Coroner's Office located at 1003 Eagle Avenue in Kremmling, Colorado. Phone (970) 724-0083.

Q. IS IT NECESSARY FOR ME TO COME TO THE CORONER'S OFFICE TO IDENTIFY THE BODY?
A. No. In a majority of cases, visual identification is not required. Should it become necessary for you to come in or bring other records or x-rays, you will be contacted.

Q. IS VIEWING ALLOWED?
A. Yes, but keep in mind it may not be advisable.  It will be at the discretion of the Coroner.

Q. WILL AN AUTOPSY BE PERFORMED?
A. When there is a need to establish the cause and circumstances of death the Coroner has a Forensic Pathologist perform and autopsy.  The Coroner has the discretion to not perform an autopsy if the death appears to be from “natural causes” and can be substantiated through medical history.  Other types of cases are evaluated on a case by case basis.

Q. WILL AN AUTOPSY REPORT BE AVAILABLE?
A. Yes.  You may obtain a copy by calling the Office of the Grand County Coroner at (970) 724-0083 and requesting a copy.  You will be contacted and given an approximate time when the documents will be released.  There may be a charge for this document, as allowed by state law.

Q. WHY IS THE CORONER INVOLVED?
A. State law requires the Coroner to be notified in certain death situations. The Coroner inquires and determines the circumstances, manner, and cause of all sudden, violent, or unusual deaths and those deaths where a doctor is not in attendance, or is present but unable or unwilling to sign the death certificate.  The deceased will be examined by the Coroner to establish the cause of death.  Occasionally, more extensive testing is required;   in   which case a pending death certificate is issued which will allow the family to complete funeral arrangements. An amended death certificate will be issued following completion of special testing and investigation.

Q. WILL THE CORONER MAKE ARRANGMEMENTS WITH A MORTUARY?
A. No, our office does not select funeral homes.  Surviving family needs to select the mortuary that they desire to handle funeral arrangements.

Q. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW?
A. Within 24 hours select a funeral home of your choice and inform the funeral director that the death is being handled by the Grand County Coroner’s Office.  Ask them to notify us at (970) 724-0083.

Q. WHAT INFORMATION DOES THE CORONER NEED?
A. When the funeral director is making arrangements for the family the Coroner must be provided with written authorization, signed by the legal next-of-kin, to release the deceased.  The signed authorization may be faxed directly to our office.  The following format should be used:
CORONER, GRAND COUNTY, COLORADO
Release the remains of my (relationship, Name of deceased)
TO:             (Name of mortuary selected)
SIGNED:    (Name and relationship)
DATE:        ______________________

GRAND COUNTY CORONER
Fax Number (970) 724-0085

Q. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE BEFORE MY RELATIVE OR FRIEND IS RELEASED FROM YOUR OFFICE?
A. Generally, it should not take more than one or two days.  Your Funeral Director will coordinate the release on your behalf.

Q. WILL I BE CHARGED FOR OTHER CORONER SERVICES?
A. Normally, no.  However, there are exceptions and you will receive written correspondence when, and if, they apply.

Q. WHAT ABOUT TISSUE / ORGAN DONATION?
A. Depending upon the circumstances of the death, and with the next-of-kin consent, tissue / organ donation may be possible.  If you are interested, please contact the Coroner Investigator as soon as possible.  You may also get information from the DONOR ALLIANCE (888) 868-4747.

Q. WHERE CAN I OBTAIN A DEATH CERTIFICATE?
A. Death Certificates are filed with the Grand County Clerk and Recorder. Should you require certified copies, they can be ordered through the funeral home or they may be purchased from the Grand County Clerk and Recorder (970) 725-3347. There is a charge for certified death certificates.

Q. HOW AND WHEN CAN PERSONAL
POSSESSIONS BE CLAIMED?
A. Any personal possessions in the custody of the Coroner may be claimed by the legal next of kin. To avoid any inconvenience to you, call the Grand County Coroner's Office at (970) 724-0083 before coming into the office. We will advise you if any documents will be needed and of any other requirements.  Clothing is not usually considered property. Unless there is a need to hold clothing as evidence, it is released to the mortuary receiving the deceased. Clothing that presents a health hazard may be disposed of for the safety of all persons involved.

Q. IF THERE ARE NO FUNDS FOR BURIAL, WHAT
CAN I DO?
A. If the deceased does not have sufficient funds for burial, the next-of-kin may seek assistance from governmental and / or nongovernmental sources.  For information, contact your Funeral Director.

Q. I NEED TO ENTER MY RELATIVE’S OR FRIEND’S RESIDENCE, BUT IT IS SEALED, WHAT CAN I DO?
A. In order to enter, you need to obtain permission from the Law Enforcement agency involved.

Grand County Sheriff’s Dept(970) 725-3343
Fraser/Winter Park PD(970) 722-7779
Granby PD(970) 887-3007
Kremmling PD(970) 724-3318
Colorado State Patrol(970) 824-6501
District Attorney’s Office(970) 725-3371
Grand County EMS(970) 887-2732
Legal Aid(800) 521-6968

We trust that the advice and counseling provided by your Funeral Director and the information provided in this pamphlet will help you during this time of loss. However, should you need additional assistance, please telephone our office at (970) 724-0083 during regular business hours.