The Family Assistance Unit is a program in the Boulder County Coroner’s Office that was established in 2022. Led by the Family Assistance Coordinator, the unit provides support services and resources to individuals who have lost a loved one due to a sudden or unexpected death.
The mission of the Family Assistance Unit of the Boulder County Coroner’s Office is to provide assistance to the families, relatives, and friends of those affected by a sudden or unexpected death. The unit offers assistance by explaining the role of the coroner’s office and by helping individuals find resources for any identified needs. The core values of the unit are serving with care, communication, and dedication for as long as needed.
Members of the Family Assistance Unit have found it critical to make contact with those grieving early on and continue to work with those individuals until the support is no longer needed (30-90 days on average). The Family Assistance Unit offers support services and resources, provides guidance on next steps that often go beyond the coroner’s involvement, and provide community referrals. The Family Assistance Unit’s interaction with families and loved ones is concurrent with but separate from that of the death investigation itself. In addition to offering support services and resources, members of the Family Assistance Unit provide updates of a case such as timeline, death certificate updates, and help answer general questions.
On behalf of the Boulder County Coroner’s Office, we extend our sincerest condolences on your loss. We understand that you may have questions about who the coroner is, why we are involved with your loved one, what our office involvement will look like, and what to do next. Our hope is that the information provided below will help answer some of those questions. If you have additional questions that are not answered on the FAQ page, please contact the office directly. Our goal is to provide as much support as you need while you navigate your loss while providing you with as much information as possible so that you can make well informed decision on behalf of your loved one.
Next Steps
After a family member, relative, or friend dies you may be asking yourself what do I do now? We recognize that you may be experiencing shock, intense sadness, and difficulty processing what has happened, and therefore it can be difficult to identify which steps to take next. We want you to know that you do not have to do this alone, and we encourage you to ask for help from family members or friends. The Family Assistance Unit has created a helpful tool that can aid you in navigating through these practicalities, titled After the Loss.
Confirmation of Death
Sometimes, as you are working through next steps, there might be a request from an institution or organization to confirm the death in order to manage those handlings/accounts. The Boulder County Coroner’s Office can provide a Confirmation of Death letter to an individual who requests one for the purposes stated above, at no cost. Please email your request to the investigations teams using this email: bccoinvestigations@bouldercounty.gov.
Resources
Navigating the loss of a family member, relative, or friend can be incredibly difficult and confusing. The Family Assistance Unit assists in providing resources that will support you in an emotional, logistical, and financial manner. You are not alone is this process, and the resources listed below can be of great value. We also encourage you to reach out to friends or family for help or guidance, and to consider joining a support group or seek therapy.