2023 Colorado Revised Statutes › Title 15 - PROBATE, TRUSTS, AND FIDUCIARIES (§§ 15-1-101 — 15-24-403) › HUMAN BODIES AFTER DEATH (§§ 15-19-101 — 15-19-309) › Article 19 - TREATMENT OF HUMAN BODIES AFTER DEATH (§§ 15-19-101 — 15-19-309) › Part 1 - DISPOSITION OF LAST REMAINS (§§ 15-19-101 — 15-19-110) › 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)
(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.
Amended by 2021 Ch. 123, § 19, eff. 9/7/2021.
L. 2003: Entire article added, p. 1352, § 1, effective August 6. L. 2006:
Section 31(2) of chapter 123 (SB 21-006), Session Laws of Colorado 2021, provides that the act changing this section applies to final dispositions of human remains or human fetuses made on or after September 7, 2021.