Colorado’s “Green” Funeral Home Scandal: A Betrayal of Trust
What began as a promise of environmentally friendly burials turned into one of the most disturbing scandals in Colorado’s funeral industry. Beneath the calm, reassuring image of Return to Nature Funeral Home, a shocking and unimaginable reality was lurking.
Authorities were first alerted when a persistent, foul odor could no longer be ignored. What they found inside was horrifying: nearly 200 bodies left to decay, urns filled with concrete instead of ashes, and a sprawling network of financial misconduct that affected countless grieving families.
As the investigation unfolded, many were left asking the same questions: How could such a massive betrayal remain hidden for so long? Who was responsible for allowing the families’ trust to be shattered in this way?
The couple at the center of the scandal, Jon and Carie Hallford, operated “green burial” businesses in Colorado Springs and Penrose. They have now admitted guilt to 191 felony counts of corpse abuse. In El Paso County Court, the Hallfords agreed to a plea deal that could result in 15 to 20 years behind bars, with sentencing scheduled for April.
Return to Nature Funeral Home had gained its reputation by offering eco-conscious burials, using biodegradable caskets, shrouds, and baskets that promised to honor both the deceased and the environment.
But the image of respect and care was completely shattered last fall. Complaints about a lingering, putrid smell from their facilities prompted authorities to investigate—and what they discovered was horrifying. Nearly 200 bodies had been stored improperly, with some left neglected for up to four years.
“The pain for the families is beyond measure,” said El Paso District Attorney Michael Allen during a somber press briefing, emphasizing the deep emotional and moral breach caused by the Hallfords’ actions.