Funeral Services & Consumer Protections

Under current law, a "preneed contract" is a contract, agreement, or mutual understanding, or any security or other instrument that is convertible into a contract, agreement, or mutual understanding, whereby, upon the death of the preneed contract beneficiary, a final resting place, merchandise, or services are provided or performed in connection with the final disposition of the beneficiary's body. The bill states that a preneed contract does not include a transportation protection agreement, which is an agreement that primarily provides for the coordination or arrangement, by a third party that is not a general provider, of services related to:

• The preparation of human remains for the purpose of transportation; or
• The transportation of human remains.

The bill also makes it a deceptive trade practice under the "Colorado Consumer Protection Act" as well as an unlawful act under the "Mortuary Science Code" for a funeral director to commit theft of money that a client paid for funeral services.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)