March 25, 2026: Sauder Schelkopf and Bochetto & Lentz announced today that the District Court for El Paso County, Colorado has substantially denied the motions to dismiss filed by certain defendants in ongoing civil litigation arising from the widely reported Return to Nature Funeral Home matter.
The civil case follows a broader investigation into the now-defunct funeral home, where authorities discovered a large number of improperly stored human remains in 2023. According to public reporting, the facility was associated with the discovery of approximately 189 decomposing bodies and allegations that families were provided remains that may not have corresponded to their loved ones.
In related criminal proceedings, former co-owner Jon Hallford was sentenced in February 2026 to 40 years in state prison after pleading guilty to multiple counts of abuse of a corpse, in connection with conduct tied to the operation of the funeral home.
In a related criminal case, federal prosecutors announced that Carie Hallford was sentenced to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud arising from conduct connected to the operation of the business.
The civil lawsuit brought by Sauder Schelkopf and Bochetto & Lentz is based on allegations that additional entities involved in cremation and related services failed to comply with applicable legal requirements and industry standards. Plaintiffs allege that these failures contributed to uncertainty regarding the identification and disposition of their loved ones’ remains.
In its March 25, 2026, order, the court held that plaintiffs have adequately alleged injury and viable claims sufficient to proceed at this stage. The court further determined that issues concerning causation are generally appropriate for a jury, allowing the case to move forward into discovery.
Read the Order here
“This ruling allows the litigation process to move forward so that the relevant facts can be fully developed,” said Bryan Lentz. “The Court recognized that the allegations raise issues that are appropriately addressed through discovery and, ultimately, by a jury.”
According to the complaint, plaintiffs allege that cremation and handling procedures were performed without consistent adherence to required authorization, identification, and documentation standards. Plaintiffs further allege that these issues resulted in significant uncertainty and emotional harm to families.
“This case is part of a broader effort to understand what occurred and to seek accountability through the civil justice system,” said Joe Sauder. “Our focus remains on ensuring that the facts are developed carefully and presented through the legal process.”
The case will now proceed to discovery, during which the parties will exchange documents and testimony concerning the allegations and defenses.
Sauder Schelkopf LLC and Bochetto & Lentz, P.C. continue to investigate claims on behalf of individuals who believe they may have been affected.
About Sauder Schelkopf LLC
Sauder Schelkopf is a national law firm representing plaintiffs in complex litigation, including class actions and cases involving consumer protection and institutional conduct.
About Bochetto & Lentz, P.C.
Bochetto & Lentz is a Philadelphia-based litigation firm with extensive experience handling complex civil litigation matters.