Roberts’ Bipartisan Bill to License Funeral Industry Workers, Prevent More Tragedy Clears Senate

Legislation would license those who work in the funeral industry, ensure proper oversight

DENVER, CO – Bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senators Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, and Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs, that would establish licensure of funeral professionals in Colorado cleared the Senate today.

Introduced following numerous tragedies at funeral homes and crematories across Colorado, SB24-173 would align Colorado with the 49 other states that already require education, certification and licensure of those who work as funeral directors, mortuary scientists, cremationists, and embalmers. 

“Colorado families continue to be victimized by our state’s lack of oversight of the funeral industry,” Roberts said. “This is a service that every family needs at some point and everyone should be able to trust that those who are caring for their loved ones’ remains have proper training, oversight, and accountability, just like many other professions and businesses. Enough is enough. We must pass this bill to bring our state in line with the rest of the nation, restore faith in this valuable industry, and to protect Coloradans.” 

"Colorado is the only state that does not require licensure for funeral professionals. This bill creates the necessary standards for those who work in funeral homes and mortuaries to ensure the negligent, even criminal misconduct that has occurred recently does not happen in the future. I am pleased to be a part of this bipartisan effort to protect Colorado families," Gardner said. 

Colorado is the only state in the nation without licensure for directors and employees of the funeral industry, and this lack of oversight and training has resulted in numerous tragic cases of funeral home mismanagement, mistreatment of human remains, and hundreds of impacted family members. 

SB24-173 would require an individual to obtain a license to practice as a funeral director, a mortuary science practitioner, an embalmer, a cremationist, or a natural reductionist starting January 1, 2026. To be eligible for a license, a person must have graduated from an accredited educational institution for that profession, passed the national board examination, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check. 

Those currently working in the industry can obtain a provisional license by showing they have worked at least 4,000 hours in the field, completed an apprenticeship, and passed a criminal background check, and after two years will qualify for full licensure. 

SB24-173 is the result of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies recommendation in December that the state establish a licensure program.

SB24-173 will now move to further consideration before the House. Track the bill’s progress HERE.