And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4
Selecting a Cemetery Plot
Selecting a cemetery plot can be a daunting task, but it is an important decision that should be made with care. Here are some tips to help you make an informed decision – a decision you’ll always be glad you made. Making this decision earlier in life is always a prudent way to go. Later on you may well not be capable of making the kind of selection you’d be most happy with.
Start by researching available cemeteries: begin the process by researching the cemeteries available in your area. You can do this by searching online or by asking friends and family for recommendations. You can also contact a funeral home, and if there is eligibility, look into local or nearby military cemeteries. Once you have a list of potential cemeteries you like, visit their websites to learn more about their services and offerings.
Consider the location: When choosing a cemetery, consider its location. Is it close to your home or the homes of loved ones who will want to visit? Is it easily accessible? Is it in a peaceful and serene location? Most cemeteries will help you select a specific location on the cemetery grounds. They will also fill you in on what maintenance is performed on the grounds, and how often.
Think about the type of burial: There are several types of burial options available, including traditional burial, cremation, and green burial. Carefully consider which option is right for you and your family or loved ones.
Once again: visit the cemetery of your choice. Once you have narrowed down your list of potential cemeteries, visit them in person. This will give you a chance to see the grounds and facilities, and to get a sense of the overall atmosphere. If the plot will include your spouse, you should both go on any final trips to make your selection.
Ask questions: Don’t be afraid to ask questions when visiting a cemetery. Ask about the different types of plots available, the cost of burial, and any other concerns you may have. Many funeral homes calculate the cost of burial into their total services, but it’s still good to know the charges involved.
Consider the future: When selecting a cemetery plot, it’s important to think about the future. Will there be enough space for additional family members? Will the cemetery be well-maintained in the MANY years to come?
Make a decision: Once you have gathered all the necessary information, it’s time to make a decision. Choose the cemetery that best meets your needs and budget. As you will see in the photo slider below, there are all manner of cemeteries for your plot. There are even some private family locations you might have access to. Finally, for those who qualify, there are some very attractive military cemetery sites. Not all sites are maintained in the same manner, and some sites consider that leaving the area natural is best. The photos below will give you a small sampling of most of the site types. Please bear in mind, that the area in which you want your site will matter in your options: The appearance of sites in the extreme north, differs greatly from those in the deep south.
The First Funeral Home
Below is a photograph of the Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home located in Miles City, Montana. This was the first Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home, and it has been through many upgrades and additions over the many decades of service it has provided for the community and region. You’re always invited to stop in and view some of the antiques and enjoy taking time for some personal reflection in the chapel area.
Monuments
The following video will provide you with a bit of useful information and a lot of examples of the various types of monuments that are available. If you’d like additional information, try perusing the Stevensson & Sons Monument website here.
Introducing Micah Ludwig
Micah is the Funeral Director of Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home in Sidney, MT. Micah was born in Omaha, Nebraska and raised in Iowa. After graduation from High School, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and honorably served 4 years. He then attended college at Arizona State University before graduating at Maricopa Community College where he received a degree in Mortuary Science. Micah then moved to Fargo, North Dakota where his only child was born and began working in the manufacturing and construction industries.
He started with Fulkerson Stevenson Funeral Home in the summer of 2022.
In his free time, Micah spends time with his son going golfing, gaming and traveling to visit family.
Below is a brief gallery of photos that will give you a better sense of who Micah is.
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.
