A Colorado funeral home has been ordered to pay $950 million to the families of 190 victims after decaying bodies were discovered on its premises. The Return to Nature home, located in Penrose, has been accused of providing fake ashes to grieving families instead of the remains of their loved ones.
The significant civil judgment was rendered by a judge, but the likelihood of actual payment remains slim as the funeral home owners, Jon and Carie Hallford, are reportedly facing severe financial difficulties. Neither individual attended the court hearings; Mr. Hallford is currently in custody, while Mrs. Hallford is out on bail.
Crystina Page, who entrusted the funeral home with her son’s remains in 2019, expressed her frustration, stating, “I’m never going to get a dime from them,” and highlighted the emotional distress caused by the couple’s absence during the hearings.
Victims’ attorney Andrew Swan emphasized the desire for accountability, stating he would have preferred the Hallfords to participate in court proceedings to answer for their actions. More than 100 family members are engaged in the ongoing civil case, which remains open for potential new claimants.
In addition to the civil suit, the Hallfords face numerous state and federal criminal charges, including abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering, and forgery. Reports indicate that state prosecutors previously offered a plea deal to the couple on 190 counts related to corpse abuse, though its current status remains uncertain.
Situated approximately 30 miles south of Colorado Springs, the funeral home specialized in environmentally conscious burials, avoiding chemicals and using biodegradable caskets. The investigation began after complaints regarding a foul odor emanating from the property led authorities to uncover 115 bodies last October.
Jon Hallford has been accused of attempting to hide the improper storage of human remains. Colorado regulations permit green funerals, but remains must be buried within 24 hours or properly refrigerated.
Despite the scandal causing significant concern, current Colorado laws do not require funeral home operators to possess licenses, degrees in mortuary science, or even a high school diploma. While tougher regulations have been passed following the incident, these will not take effect until 2026.
