For Immediate Need Call: (970) 247-2312

 or Text Only Line: (970) 387-8629

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About Us

Meet Our Caring Staff

Ryan and Kristal Phelps
Ryan and Kristal Phelps
Owners/Managers/Directors
management@hoodmortuary.com

Ryan and Kristal Phelps have owned and operated Hood Mortuary since 2005. Their passion is assisting and serving the Durango Community during one of the most difficult times most will face.

Ryan has worked in this industry at Hood Mortuary since 1994.  He attended Fort Lewis College and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.

Kristal (a Durango Native and Pioneer family) attended Fort Lewis College.  She assists client/families with services as well as pre-need funeral planning.

Ryan and Kristal attended Durango High School (Class of 1994) and are High School "Sweethearts". Pictured here with their daughter, Sarah - A Senior at Durango High.

Ryan and Kristal Phelps
Ryan and Kristal Phelps
Owners/Managers/Directors

Ryan and Kristal Phelps have owned and operated Hood Mortuary since 2005. Their passion is assisting and serving the Durango Community during one of the most difficult times most will face.

Ryan has worked in this industry at Hood Mortuary since 1994.  He attended Fort Lewis College and Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service.

Kristal (a Durango Native and Pioneer family) attended Fort Lewis College.  She assists client/families with services as well as pre-need funeral planning.

Ryan and Kristal attended Durango High School (Class of 1994) and are High School "Sweethearts". Pictured here with their daughter, Sarah - A Senior at Durango High.

Danielle Holcomb
Danielle Holcomb
Manager/Director/Cremationist/embalmer
danielle@hoodmortuary.com

Danielle Holcomb is a San Diego, California transplant with family roots in southwest Colorado. She is currently attending Arapahoe Community College and completing a degree in mortuary science. She has a true passion for caring for people and being empathetic during all aspects of an individuals’ life or circumstances. She is a visual artist who loves gardening and hiking with her partner and three rescued dogs.  

Danielle Holcomb
Danielle Holcomb
Manager/Director/Cremationist/embalmer

Danielle Holcomb is a San Diego, California transplant with family roots in southwest Colorado. She is currently attending Arapahoe Community College and completing a degree in mortuary science. She has a true passion for caring for people and being empathetic during all aspects of an individuals’ life or circumstances. She is a visual artist who loves gardening and hiking with her partner and three rescued dogs.  

Cat Smith
Cat Smith
Director/Embalmer/Pre-need Counselor
cat@hoodmortuary.com

Cat Smith is a dual licensed funeral director from Oklahoma. With a great passion for learning, she has practiced funeral directing in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico and has experience in the non- profit sector with anatomical gifts of tissue donation. Outside of work, Cat loves tending to her tropical plants, spending time with her dog, Goat, paddle boarding, and riding her motorcycle. Cat has a strong desire to serve others, loves to learn new concepts, and to continuously grow into betterand more refined versions of herself.

Cat Smith
Cat Smith
Director/Embalmer/Pre-need Counselor

Cat Smith is a dual licensed funeral director from Oklahoma. With a great passion for learning, she has practiced funeral directing in Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico and has experience in the non- profit sector with anatomical gifts of tissue donation. Outside of work, Cat loves tending to her tropical plants, spending time with her dog, Goat, paddle boarding, and riding her motorcycle. Cat has a strong desire to serve others, loves to learn new concepts, and to continuously grow into betterand more refined versions of herself.

Lucas Brunette
Lucas Brunette
Director/Embalmer/Cremationist
lucas@hoodmortuary.com

Lucas Brunette is a proud Colorado native. He has bounced around the state his entire life and recently relocated to Durango with his wife and pup. Lucas has an educational and professional background in hospitality. He comes to Hood with a spirit to serve the people of Durango and surrounding communities during the toughest of times. When not working, Lucas loves to ski, hike, do yoga, and spend time with family and friends.

Lucas Brunette
Lucas Brunette
Director/Embalmer/Cremationist

Lucas Brunette is a proud Colorado native. He has bounced around the state his entire life and recently relocated to Durango with his wife and pup. Lucas has an educational and professional background in hospitality. He comes to Hood with a spirit to serve the people of Durango and surrounding communities during the toughest of times. When not working, Lucas loves to ski, hike, do yoga, and spend time with family and friends.

Aaron Hersch
Aaron Hersch
Cremationist/Director/Embalmer
aaron@hoodmortuary.com

Staff bio Coming Soon!

Aaron Hersch
Aaron Hersch
Cremationist/Director/Embalmer

Staff bio Coming Soon!

Matthew Haber
Matthew Haber
Administration and Client services
matthew@hoodmortuary.com

Matthew Haber (pictured left) is the son of Traci Haber (pictured center) who was formally our administrative assistant. We are lucky to keep a Haber here! Matthew is currently enrolled in college courses, but works with us at Hood as a cremationist, evening on call, and overall apprentice. Matthews’s true gift is his compassion while working with our client/families through the grieving process.

Also pictured is Zachary, who is Matthews’s brother and Traci's youngest son.

Matthew Haber
Matthew Haber
Administration and Client services

Matthew Haber (pictured left) is the son of Traci Haber (pictured center) who was formally our administrative assistant. We are lucky to keep a Haber here! Matthew is currently enrolled in college courses, but works with us at Hood as a cremationist, evening on call, and overall apprentice. Matthews’s true gift is his compassion while working with our client/families through the grieving process.

Also pictured is Zachary, who is Matthews’s brother and Traci's youngest son.

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