Jon Hallford, co-owner of a Colorado funeral home, was sentenced to 40 years in prison for abusing nearly 200 dead bodies. The Return to Nature home in Penrose stored 189 bodies improperly over four years and gave fake ashes to grieving relatives. Hallford apologized in court, saying, "My mistakes will echo for a generation. Everything I did was wrong." Family members called him a "monster" and described nightmares about their loved ones decomposing in his care. Kelly Mackeen, one daughter, said, "I'm a daughter whose mother was treated like yesterday's trash and dumped in a site left to rot with hundreds of others." Hallford's ex-wife and co-owner, Carie Hallford, pleaded guilty to similar charges and awaits sentencing. The funeral home specialized in green funerals using no chemicals and biodegradable caskets but failed to store bodies properly. Bodies were found in piles in non-refrigerated areas, including children and fetuses. The scandal started after a foul odor complaint, leading to the discovery of 115 bodies last October. Officials said the couple was motivated by greed despite earning enough money to care for the remains properly. Green funerals are legal in Colorado but require bodies to be buried within 24 hours or refrigerated. Currently, Colorado funeral home operators do not need licenses or special degrees, but tougher laws are being passed after this case. Judge Eric Bentley said, "Mr Hallford, your crimes are testing the belief" that people are basically good. Jon Hallford pleaded guilty hoping for a lighter sentence but faces 40 years behind bars. His ex-wife awaits her punishment as more changes come to the funeral industry.