If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5-8
Choosing a Headstone
Choosing a headstone can be an incredibly emotional and challenging task. It is a decision that honors the memory of a loved one and serves as a lasting tribute to their life. During this difficult time, it is important to approach the process with care and consideration.
First and foremost, take some time to reflect on the life of the person who has passed away. What were their passions, hobbies, accomplishments, etc.? Did they have any specific interests or beliefs? These elements can help guide you in selecting a headstone design that truly represents their unique personality and spirit.
Next, consider the available options in terms of materials, styles, and customization. Headstones can be made of various materials such as granite, marble, or bronze. Each material carries its own aesthetic and durability, so it is crucial to choose one that aligns with both your vision and the cemetery’s regulations. (Be sure to inquire regarding any pertinent, cemetery-specific regulations.)
Additionally, think about the design elements that you would like to incorporate. This may include engraved symbols, religious emblems, colors, or personalized messages. These details can add a touch of individuality and meaning to the headstone, allowing it to truly encapsulate the spirit of your loved one.
Finally, consult with professionals in the field who can provide guidance and help you navigate the process. Funeral directors, memorial designers, and stonemasons are experienced in assisting families during this challenging time. They can offer valuable advice, provide options within your budget, and ensure that all necessary regulations and guidelines are met.
Choosing a headstone is an emotional endeavor, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of your loved one. Take your time, be open to different possibilities, and trust your instincts. This is a deeply personal decision, and by honoring the memory of your loved one in this way, you can create a lasting tribute that pays homage to their unique journey through life.
Always feel comfortable contacting Stevenson & Sons Monument Company at 406.232.4457 or 1-800-775-4460 • 1717 Main Street • Miles City, Montana 59301 to discuss your wishes or to get complete answers to any of your questions – or you can learn more today at our website: https://stevensonmonuments.com/monuments/.
Introducing Lynn Anderson
Lynn Anderson is a Pre-arrangement Specialist for Stevenson & Sons Funeral Homes serving all of Eastern Montana, as well as Bell Mortuary in Glasgow, Montana.
Lynn and her family moved from Columbus, MT to Terry, MT in July of 1981 where she and her two siblings all graduated from THS. Lynn has resided in Miles City for the past 34 years while she raised her son, Jared. Lynn worked as an Advertising Sales Consultant and graphic designer for 20 years at the Miles City Star. Six months after her mom passed away in 2014, she joined Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home as a Family Service Counselor.
Today, Lynn helps families in our community and the surrounding area to effectively preplan their own services. She feels very fortunate to be able to help families have peace of mind knowing their loved ones will be taken care of by the caring staff at Stevenson and Sons. In her free time, Lynn enjoys being with family and friends, spending time out at her boyfriend’s farm, attend Bobcat football games and traveling.
Below is a brief photo album which will expand and personalize our introduction of Lynn.
Here are a few photographs taken during Remembrance Ceremonies
The photographs come from several Stevenson & Sons locations. The location is noted at the bottom of each of the photographs.
Some of the kind comments we’ve received from the folks who gave us the privilege of serving them.
Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home
We are so grateful for the wonderful support we received from you all at the time of our father’s passing. Through some tragic and unexpected circumstances, our brother passed away in the Twin Cities about 3 weeks after our father. Unfortunately, his family has not experienced anything close to the level of care and support we received from you. We can’t thank you enough!
Randy W.
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
We were visiting from out of state (CA) when this happened. All the staff – from the owner on down the line were very caring, comforting and communicating everything that needed to be taken care of. Thank you so much!!
Stephanie E.
Franzen-Davis Funeral Home
Tj called me at the worst time of my life and made things so much easier. The process of getting my son home to Cincinnati was communicated every step of the way. He made the situation much easier for me being out of town. He talked to me about every detail of the process in a kind and warm fashion taking my feelings into consideration. He made my son look so handsome which made the funeral bearable. I truly cannot say enough about how he made the death of my son easier to understand. Please thank him for me. I never got to meet him but I felt like a close friend. That’s how nice he was to work with.
Roxanne Smith
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services
We were very impressed with Bri. We feel she went above and beyond during our time of loss. When we couldn’t make up our minds she did give some personal and professional recommendations that were completely wonderful!
We couldn’t believe that Axelson was a “one stop shop.” Which when you’re dealing with the loss of your husband and father, you don’t think of some of these things. We hope we don’t need these services anytime soon again but will definitely be recommending them to everyone!
Eileen Seegrist
Bell Mortuary
This is an extremely difficult time in my life and Scot was amazing during the entire process. Thank you Scot.
Christine Gilchrist
Bell Mortuary
Hi, Bronwin,
Thank you for the picture of the stone with the medallion….it looks great!
Your help from a very nice graveside service to getting the stone ordered and in place has made everything so much easier to work through. The services here also turned out perfect. Attendance at both services was more than we expected, and it was an added benefit that all went smoothly.
Take care!
Renee Bulatowicz
Bell Mortuary
My father Art passed in NY. Due to red tape in NY, it was challenge getting my Dad home to MT. Brinlan went over and above. I mean really over and above! #1, even if she did not have an answer for us that day, she still took my calls and/or called me back. She did not leave us hanging and she was upfront and honest with us. This gave me so much confidence in her and Bells. #2 we know that Bell sent someone to Billings in the middle of the night to get my dad off the plane. That is a very long journey in the middle of the night with deer everywhere and I just so appreciate that someone did this for our Dad! Again, another example of going over and above! #3 I know Brinlan came in very early that morning to make sure my dad was prepared and ready for his services. Over and above! I know there were many hours put in during their off-work time! We are in a world today that people only do what they feel like doing. I have no idea of what Brinlan or Steve or any other employee of Bell has going on in their personal life. They could have been feeling ill or have family worries, yet they took time from their personal life to make sure we could properly honor our dad. I don’t like to see people working on their off time, so I hope they know it was beyond appreciated! Very impressive people, very competent and knowledgeable. I will be forever grateful!
Longfellow Finnegan Riddle Funeral Home
I and my family are so thankful for Jessie’s support, kindness, and thorough process when she took care of my sister and all the paperwork and other arrangements. She has a special gift. Thank her and all the others who helped. And May God bless you all.
Funeral Planning Aid
We frequently receive questions regarding what the person responsible for making funeral arrangements should expect. Since we’ve received so many requests for this information, we are placing a link which allows our newsletter subscribers to download a complete copy of our Funeral Planning Aid. The informative article is presented as a PDF – simply click the PDF Button below to access it. That way, if you wish, you may keep it on your computer for future reference or sharing with others. If after you read the article, you have any questions, please contact the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of your choice.
Who’s eligible for Military Funeral Honors?
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
How to establish veteran eligibility
Submit the DD Form 214. The DD Form 214 may be obtained by filing a completed Standard Form 180 with:
National Personnel Records Center(NPRC)
9700 Page Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63132
The Standard Form 180 may be obtained from: http://www.archives.gov/research/order/standard-form-180.pdf
Headstones for Veterans
For complete information and ordering, please visit: Legislative Changes Concerning Eligibility for Headstones, Markers and Medallions – National Cemetery Administration (va.gov)
Supporting Others
If you know someone who would benefit from the uplifting messages and support information we provide in these monthly newsletters, they can sign up to receive their own copy here (https://stevensonandsons.com/news/sign-up/). It’s a great way to lend your support to a friend or a family member.
Financial Assistance
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020…
If you lost a loved one due to Covid-19, you may qualify for financial assistance for your family’s funeral expenses. Click here to find out more information.
Recently posted on the FEMA Covid-19 Funeral Assistance page: The COVID-19 incident period ended on May 11, 2023. FEMA will continue to provide funeral assistance until Sept. 30, 2025, to those who have lost loved ones due to this pandemic.
Grief Support
Many people do not have the time to locate a proper grief counselor. Others do not live in an area where there are any grief counselors available. And finally, many people are not prepared to pay a professional for grief counseling. Fortunately, the internet provides some solutions for those who wish to seek grief counseling or to interact with groups of people who are also coping with grief. Many such services exist, as do professional counselors who will assist people privately on line, hence eliminating the need for travel. Not all services are the same, nor are all chat rooms/groups. You should research what you are interested in and follow-up on the leads you believe will be most helpful to your personal situation until you locate exactly what works best for you. In your search engine look for terms like “grief chat rooms” “bereavement support groups” “professional grief counseling” or “grief management.” Good research is the path to successfully linking up with what, or who, will work the best for you. Another option would be to start your search at the Mental Health American website. Lots of information, and many places to research groups, centers and more.
