DENVER — June 10, 2025
A Colorado funeral home owner who left a woman’s body in a hearse for over a year and improperly stored the cremated remains of at least 30 individuals was sentenced to 18 months in prison, the Denver District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Miles Harford, 34, pleaded guilty in April to felony abuse of a corpse and misdemeanor theft. As part of a plea deal, other charges — including forgery and additional counts of theft — were dismissed. The 18-month sentence is the maximum allowed under Colorado law for the charges he admitted to.
“Nothing will ever undo the terrible pain that Miles Harford caused so many families,” said District Attorney John Walsh, “but it is our hope that this sentence will provide the family and friends of the deceased with some measure of justice.”
What Happened?
Harford’s crimes came to light after authorities discovered the body of Christina Rosales, a 63-year-old woman who died of Alzheimer’s, in the back of his hearse, covered with blankets. The body had been there for approximately 18 months.
Adding to the horror, Harford gave Rosales’s family the cremated remains of another person, falsely claiming they were hers.
Police also uncovered dozens of cremated remains improperly stored at Harford’s rental property, including boxes hidden in a crawlspace.
Prosecutors described Harford’s actions as “systematic and shocking violations” of his professional duties that caused deep emotional harm to grieving families.
Part of a Troubling Pattern in Colorado
Colorado has seen a disturbing pattern of funeral home scandals in recent years. In a separate case, another funeral home was found to have nearly 200 decomposing bodies stored in unsafe conditions, with families unknowingly receiving fake ashes.
These incidents have led to calls for stricter regulations and oversight of the funeral industry in the state, which has historically had looser licensing laws compared to other states.
While Harford’s sentence brings some closure, many say the emotional toll on victims’ families cannot be undone.
Authorities urge families working with funeral service providers to ask questions, request documentation, and ensure providers are licensed and properly regulated.
