Jon Hallford, the owner of a Colorado funeral home, has been sentenced to 40 years in state prison for abusing 189 corpses, a case that has horrified families and prompted regulatory reforms. The sentencing on Friday followed emotional testimonies from relatives who described nightmares and called Hallford a ‘monster’ for his actions.
During the court hearing, family members shared their grief, with one daughter stating her mother was ‘treated like yesterday’s trash’ after learning that bodies were left to decompose in non-refrigerated areas of the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose. Judge Eric Bentley imposed the sentence, noting that Hallford’s crimes ‘test’ the belief in human goodness, while the defendant apologized, admitting he had chances to stop but failed.
The crimes spanned from 2019 to 2023, during which the Hallfords stored 189 bodies improperly, giving families fake ashes made to resemble cremated remains. Investigators discovered the bodies after reports of a foul odor, finding them stacked with bugs and decomposition fluid, including infants and fetuses. The couple charged over $1,200 per customer for green burials, which avoid chemicals, but instead spent the money on luxury items like cars and jewelry.
Prosecutors highlighted that the Hallfords’ actions were driven by greed, as they could have afforded proper care with their earnings. In addition to state charges, they pleaded guilty to federal fraud for obtaining nearly $900,000 in pandemic aid illegally, with Jon Hallford receiving a concurrent 20-year federal sentence. His ex-wife and co-owner, Carie Hallford, is awaiting sentencing in April, facing 25 to 35 years in prison.
The case has had a profound impact on the victims’ families, many of whom experienced renewed trauma upon learning the ashes they received were not their loved ones. One instance involved a veteran whose body was misidentified, leading to a corrected burial with military honors. Family members expressed ongoing struggles with guilt and nightmares, emphasizing the long-term emotional damage.
In response to the scandal, Colorado has tightened its funeral home regulations, which previously required no licensing or education. A bill passed in 2024 now mandates inspections and greater enforcement power to prevent such abuses in the future. This regulatory shift aims to restore trust in the industry and ensure proper handling of remains.
As the legal proceedings continue, with Carie Hallford’s sentencing pending, the community and affected families seek closure and justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the need for oversight in sensitive industries and the enduring pain caused by such breaches of trust.
