Ertel Funeral Home & Crematory

Ertel Funeral Home & Crematory Ertel Funeral Home has been serving the Montezuma and Dolores County area for nearly 100 years.

We are honored to be a part of the rich history of this community and plan to be a part of it for many years to come.

"Do we need to buy an urn right away?"If you haven't selected an urn, we return cremated remains in a temporary containe...
04/28/2026

"Do we need to buy an urn right away?"

If you haven't selected an urn, we return cremated remains in a temporary container. You can take the time you need to decide. Families handle this differently. You might choose an urn right away, wait several months, or continue using the container we provide. Whether it's been weeks, months, or years since a cremation, reach out anytime. When you feel ready, we help you find an urn that honors your loved one.

Your grief reflects your story alone. No one else holds the same memories or love you carry in the same way. However it ...
04/25/2026

Your grief reflects your story alone. No one else holds the same memories or love you carry in the same way. However it appears in your life, you honor it by letting it be yours.

Funerals can feel like a lot for kids, and we always make sure there's a quiet room where they can take a break when eve...
04/22/2026

Funerals can feel like a lot for kids, and we always make sure there's a quiet room where they can take a break when everything gets overwhelming. Sometimes a child just needs to step away from all the people and tears, maybe color for a few minutes or just sit somewhere peaceful until they're ready to come back.

We've learned that having this option helps kids handle the whole day better. Plenty of adults end up using that quiet space for their own grief breaks too, and we're always happy to point families toward it when they need a moment to regroup.

Have you considered how you'll want to be remembered on anniversaries and birthdays?Maybe you'd love for your family to ...
04/20/2026

Have you considered how you'll want to be remembered on anniversaries and birthdays?

Maybe you'd love for your family to make your famous chocolate cake every year on your birthday, even if it never turns out quite like yours did. Or perhaps you'd want them to visit that little diner where you always ordered the same breakfast, sharing stories about all the funny things you used to say.

These special days will come every year, and your family will want to honor you in ways that feel meaningful. When you share what brings you joy on these occasions, you help them create celebrations that keep your spirit alive.

What traditions do you hope they'll continue? And what new ones would you want them to start?

Have you ever noticed how much it means when you show up for someone else's loss?When you attend the funeral or share yo...
04/16/2026

Have you ever noticed how much it means when you show up for someone else's loss?

When you attend the funeral or share your condolences, you're showing them that their loved one's life touched far more hearts than just their family.

Funerals matter because they bring our community together around shared love and loss. It's our privilege to help you create meaningful moments where folks can gather to honor the beautiful impact one life can have.

"Can we divide cremated remains among family members?"Legally, yes. Families divide cremated remains among relatives fre...
04/14/2026

"Can we divide cremated remains among family members?"

Legally, yes. Families divide cremated remains among relatives frequently, and we can help you with this process.

Some faith traditions have specific guidelines around cremated remains, so if religion plays a role in your decision, check with your spiritual leader first.

We’ll help you honor both family wishes and faith traditions.

Grief stays with us, and it changes over time. Move at your own pace and give yourself the space you need.
04/11/2026

Grief stays with us, and it changes over time. Move at your own pace and give yourself the space you need.

Families ask us all the time whether their child should attend the funeral, and our answer is almost always yes, though ...
04/08/2026

Families ask us all the time whether their child should attend the funeral, and our answer is almost always yes, though parents know their child best. Children benefit from being part of these important moments, even when they're hard to understand.

Funerals give kids a chance to say goodbye in their own way, ask the questions that are spinning in their heads, and see that adults cry and feel sad too. They get to be surrounded by people who loved the same person they did, and that connection often helps them make sense of what death means. Most importantly, they learn that grieving together is how families heal.

Easter has always been a holiday about gathering, and your family probably has traditions that go back generations. The ...
04/05/2026

Easter has always been a holiday about gathering, and your family probably has traditions that go back generations. The same ham recipe, the same hiding spots for eggs, the same pew at the same church your grandmother attended. These rituals hold a family together, and they carry the fingerprints of everyone who came before you.

🌺We hope your Easter is full of good food and familiar faces this year. If someone is missing from yours, we're thinking of you.

Have you considered leaving written words for your family to treasure?Maybe it's a letter tucked in a jewelry box, a jou...
04/04/2026

Have you considered leaving written words for your family to treasure?

Maybe it's a letter tucked in a jewelry box, a journal they'll discover later, or even a few heartfelt lines written on a card. Your words, in your handwriting, become keepsakes your family will hold onto for years to come.

You could start with something simple like "I want you to know..." and just let your personality shine through. Don't worry about making it perfect or profound. What they'll cherish most is hearing from you, exactly as you are.

What would you want them to remember about how much they mean to you?

"Can we hold a viewing before cremation?" Absolutely. You can have a viewing with cremation, and families choose this op...
03/30/2026

"Can we hold a viewing before cremation?" Absolutely.
You can have a viewing with cremation, and families choose this option all the time. You can also have a full funeral service before cremation if that feels right for your family.
A viewing lets family and friends gather, see your loved one one last time, and share support together. You can hold a viewing alone or as part of a full service. We prepare your loved one with the same care we use for burial. Afterward, we complete the cremation. This gives you both the time together you need and the flexibility cremation offers.

Children feel much calmer when they know what to expect at a funeral, and walking them through the day beforehand helps ...
03/27/2026

Children feel much calmer when they know what to expect at a funeral, and walking them through the day beforehand helps ease their worries. Tell them about the music, the flowers, who might speak, and how long things will take. Explain whether there will be an open casket, a closed casket, or an urn, and what that means for them.

Let them know some people might cry, others might laugh while sharing stories, and all of that is completely normal. (These are good reminders for adults, too.) Most importantly, remind them that whatever they feel during the service is exactly what they're supposed to feel. We're here to help you prepare them for this important day.

Address

42 N Market Street
Cortez, CO
81321

Telephone

+19705653468

Website

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