Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed two bills aimed at overhauling the state’s oversight of the funeral home industry following a string of disturbing incidents, including the discovery of decomposing bodies, the distribution of fake ashes, and the unauthorized sale of body parts.

These cases exposed Colorado’s lax funeral home regulations, leading to heightened concerns among grieving families.

The new laws, which bring Colorado more in line with other states, mandate routine inspections of funeral homes and grant regulators greater enforcement authority.

Additionally, the legislation establishes licensing requirements for funeral directors and industry workers, including background checks, national exams, and educational qualifications.

Previously, Colorado did not mandate high school graduation for funeral home directors, the Associated Press reported.

While the industry generally supports the changes, some worry that stringent requirements for directors could hinder hiring.

These legislative actions come after a challenging year for Colorado’s funeral homes.

Written by B.C. Begley