Guide for families
What happens after a death at home
When someone dies at home without warning, several offices become involved in a fixed order. Knowing that order makes the first days a little less confusing. This is how it works in Fort Collins and the rest of Larimer County.
In order
From the first call to the last form
Call 911
Colorado law says the person who discovers a sudden or unexplained death must report it immediately to law enforcement or the coroner. Do not move the person or tidy the room.
Police and a coroner's investigator arrive
The Larimer County Coroner is responsible for sudden and unexpected deaths throughout the county. An investigator comes to the home, works alongside the police and takes the person into the office's care if that is needed.
You are told about an autopsy
Being investigated does not always mean an autopsy. The investigator assigned to the case tells the family whether one is required and when the person can be released.
You choose a funeral home
The choice is the family's. Once you have made it, the funeral home and the coroner's office arrange the transfer between themselves.
Belongings come back
Anything the investigator collected is logged. If it can be released, it goes to the funeral home with the person, or you can arrange to pick it up through the investigator or the family advocate, (970) 498-6154.
The home is released
The officer or investigator tells you when their work at the address is over. If the death is not being treated as a crime, the coroner may secure the home to protect it and may charge the estate for doing so.
Cleanup, if the room needs it
Arranging it is the family's or the owner's job. See unattended death cleanup or suicide cleanup, or call (970) 372-1484.
Offices
Who to contact for what
Larimer County Coroner
Questions about the investigation, release and belongings
- 1600 Prospect Park Way, Suite 101, Fort Collins
- (970) 498-6161, weekdays 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- The coroner's questions and answers for families
Larimer County Vital Records
Certified copies of the death certificate
- 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins
- (970) 498-6710; visits in person are by appointment only
- How to request a death certificate
Fort Collins Police Services
Questions about the scene or the report
- Non-emergency (970) 419-3273
- Records (970) 221-6540, option 1
Paperwork
Death certificates and the autopsy report
The funeral director files the death certificate with the health department. Certified copies come from Larimer County Vital Records, by mail, online or at an appointment, and the funeral home named on the certificate can request them too.
The coroner's office says most autopsy reports are public record in Colorado and usually take 10 to 20 weeks. Next of kin can request the report from the investigator handling the case or from the family advocate.
Expected deaths
If the death was expected
The coroner investigates deaths that are sudden, unexpected or outside a physician's care. A death that was expected, with a doctor or hospice involved, is usually handled by that care team and the funeral home, and there is seldom anything for a cleanup company to do.
Deaths outside Larimer County follow the same pattern with a different office. Greeley, Severance and the Weld County side of Windsor come under the Weld County Coroner.