Ertel Funeral Home & Crematory

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Cortez, CO
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.

04/11/2026

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

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

03/24/2026

Have you considered how you want people to remember you after the funeral ends?

Some people picture a traditional headstone with their name and dates, others want their cremated remains lawfully scattered in a place they loved, and some prefer a memorial bench or a tree planted in their honor. You can request donations to a cause instead of flowers, or you can ask for both. The physical marker of your life matters to the people who loved you.

Your family will visit that place or carry out that wish for years after you're gone. Telling them what feels right to you gives them a clear way to honor your memory instead of wondering if they chose correctly. Even a small preference helps them feel connected to you. And we’ll be there every step of the way to support them.

Where do you want them to find you?

03/21/2026

Some people whisper messages to butterflies when they miss someone who died. You can write it down, say it aloud, or think it as one drifts by. These moments give your love somewhere to go and can bring a flutter of connection when grief feels close. Even saying “I love you” to the world around you can offer comfort in ways you might not expect.

03/18/2026

"We don’t have a cemetery plot. What do we do?"
Families ask us this often, and if you haven’t chosen a plot yet, you’re not alone. When the time comes, we’ll help you start the process and point you in the right direction. You’ll be able to look at what’s available, ask questions, and make a choice that feels right for your family. What matters most is that you don’t have to figure it out on your own. 💙

03/15/2026

Children at funerals often need ways to express emotions they cannot yet put into words. Art gives them a meaningful outlet during such an emotional day. You can set up a simple table with paper and crayons where kids can draw pictures or write messages for their loved one. These creations often become the most treasured keepsakes families hold onto or display during the service.

03/13/2026

Maybe you’ve been unsure whether a funeral is needed, especially when life feels upside down. The truth is a large formal service isn't always necessary. Even a brief, simple gathering helps people come together, making those early days a little easier. We’ll walk through the options with you, work within your budget, and help you choose what makes sense for your family.

03/10/2026

Have you considered how you want your funeral to feel for the people who gather?

Years later, people remember how your funeral felt more than any other detail. Like when Uncle Bob tells that story about you that makes everyone crack up through their tears. Or when your favorite song comes on and suddenly everyone's smiling because it's so perfectly you.

Those moments when your personality shines through are what people carry with them forever.

Small touches make all the difference. Your family will treasure having your input on what feels most like you.

Address

42 N Market Street
Cortez, CO
81321

Telephone

+19705653468

Website

https://www.ertelfuneralhome.com/

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