Ertel Funeral Home

Veteran services at Ertel Funeral Home

Ertel Funeral Home in Cortez, CO supports veteran families with military funeral arrangements. In their own words: "Ertel Funeral Home assists families with navigating Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. They also facilitate military honors for veteran services, as evidenced by past obituaries mentioning such arrangements performed by Veterans of Montezuma County." On-site amenities include chapel and ample parking, suited to flag presentation and honors ceremonies.

Veteran-related services offered include traditional funeral service followed by cremation, memorial service, graveside service, and cremation services. Each service is coordinated with the family and, where applicable, with the deceased's last unit or branch honor detail.

On-site facilities of note include chapel. These spaces accommodate full military honors details, family gatherings before and after the service, and the placement of the United States flag during the visitation period.

Published pricing at Ertel Funeral Home: services starting at $3,000. Veterans who served on active duty for at least 24 months may qualify for VA burial allowance to offset funeral costs — this home accepts assignment of those benefits where eligible.

The nearest VA national cemetery is Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado in CO, approximately 117 miles from Ertel Funeral Home. Ertel Funeral Home can coordinate transport, scheduling with the cemetery's interment office, and the timing of military honors with the receiving committal shelter.

Colorado has approximately 240 licensed funeral homes serving its population, of which a subset specifically lists military funeral honors and VA benefits assistance among their services. Ertel Funeral Home is among them.

Frequently asked questions

What does a funeral at Ertel Funeral Home cost for veteran families?

From its published general price list, general services start at $3,000. Eligible veterans can offset these costs with a VA burial allowance, and burial in a VA national cemetery is provided at no charge.

Where is Ertel Funeral Home located, and can it coordinate a veterans cemetery burial?

Ertel Funeral Home is located at 42 North Market Street in Cortez, CO. You can reach the home at (970) 565-3468. Staff can coordinate burial with nearby VA national and state veterans cemeteries.

What services does Ertel Funeral Home offer veteran families?

Ertel Funeral Home provides traditional funeral service followed by cremation, memorial service, graveside service, cremation services, pre-planning, and can arrange military funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Does Ertel Funeral Home help veterans with VA burial benefits?

Ertel Funeral Home assists families with navigating Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. They also facilitate military honors for veteran services, as evidenced by past obituaries mentioning such arrangements performed by Veterans of Montezuma County.

Which faith traditions does Ertel Funeral Home accommodate?

Staff coordinate services for Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist families, among others.

What sets Ertel Funeral Home apart

Fourth-generation family-owned and operated, maintaining a legacy since 1921.
The main facility, built in 1936, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Specifically serves the Ute Mountain Ute and Navajo tribes, alongside Montezuma and Dolores Counties.
Features a remodeled chapel with state-of-the-art multimedia equipment and a historic stained-glass panel depicting a ship at sea.
Staff includes NFDA Certified Crematory Operators, ensuring specialized expertise in cremation services.
Partners with HeartLight Center for comprehensive grief support services and offers access to the Griefwords Library.

Military & veteran services offered

★Memorial Service

Burial & cremation services

Burial

· Graveside Service

Cremation

· Traditional Funeral Service followed by Cremation
· Cremation Services

On-site facilities

· Chapel

· Private Conference/Arrangement Office

· Handicap-Accessible Entrance

· Handicap-Accessible Restrooms

· Private Family Rooms

· Viewing Rooms

· Ample Parking

Affiliations & specializations

Industry affiliations

· NFDA Certified Crematory Operator
· HeartLight Center
· National Register of Historic Places

Specializations

· Serving Montezuma County
· Serving Dolores County
· Serving Ute Mountain Ute Tribe
· Serving Navajo Tribe
· Grief Support

Religious traditions & languages

Religious traditions accommodated: Catholic, Seventh-day Adventist.

EverSettled · After the Veteran Funeral

The veteran's spouse may qualify for VA Dependency & Indemnity Compensation.

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit for surviving spouses, dependent children, and (in some cases) parents of veterans whose death is service-connected. EverSettled walks veteran families through DIC eligibility, survivor pension, life-insurance claims, probate, and the federal-account paperwork that follows.

Begin Veteran Estate Settlement

How honors are coordinated

Military funeral honors are guaranteed at no cost for any veteran discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. The funeral home arranges the honors detail by contacting the deceased's last unit or the nearest active-duty installation of the appropriate branch and submitting the DD-214 to verify eligibility.

For requests less than 72 hours from service time, families can call the Department of Defense's expedited honors line at 1-877-MIL-HONR (1-877-645-4667). See the full honors protocol.