Over the years, people have continually asked me for advice about making their end of life arrangements.  It seems that this is information that people don’t realize they need, until they need it, and then, it can be difficult to find.

Sometimes, people will rely on secondhand information from family or friends -- who may be living in different States.  The problem with this is that every state has different laws and regulations. So, what may be perfectly acceptable in one State, could get you into serious trouble in Colorado.

Here is a list of the top 10 things you need to know about dying in colorado. 

1.    If a death occurs at home and hospice is not involved it is responded to as a 911 call with police, fire department, and ambulance services, which includes attempt to revive the patient.

2.    Everyone needs to speak with an attorney about their end of life wishes.

3.    Financial issues need to be discussed two-fold. Money needed during the illness, and money needed after the death occurs.

4.    The Colorado Organ Donor Registry states that, “Being on the Colorado Organ and Tissue Donor registry means that you have elected to have all of your organs and tissues made available for transplant at the time of your death.”

5.    Determination of whether or not a body can be accepted for donation can only be made after the death has occurred.

6.    Colorado is the only state in the country that does not require licensure of funeral service professionals.

7.    Write down both “I want…” and “I don’t want…” statements when making end of life decisions.

8.    Death Certificates are $17 for the first copy and $10 for each additional copy requested at the same time.

9.    It is not important how you grieve, what is important is that you grieve.

10.    Accept help from others.

 

Each of these subjects are covered in more detail in End of Life Insights: Colorado, the handbook for end of life care in Colorado.