Bible Verse of the Month
For the new year, we quote regarding new beginnings
Behold, I will do a new thing;
now it shall spring forth;
shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert.
Isaiah 43:19
Meet Chris Holt – Funeral Director at Retz & ASW Funeral Home
Chris was born in Helena, Montana and graduated from high school in Oregon. Chris had worked in property management/maintenance for all of his life. Then, he began working part time as a funeral assistant in Great Falls, Montana in 2000. Chris quickly decided to serve families full time in funeral service and so he enrolled at the Mount Hood Community College in Portland, Oregon, where he graduated from Funeral Service in 2007.
Chris moved his family to Helena and has been serving the Helena community and surrounding areas since 2007. He is married to Kelly and they have five children: Justine, Joey, Tristen, Armanie, and Madison.
Chris is a member of the Helena Lions Club, a Master Mason of Helena Lodge #3, member of the Montana Funeral Directors Association in which he is currently serving as President, and a member of the National Funeral Directors Association.
Chris and his family enjoy the outdoors and the activities in Helena and the surrounding areas with hunting, fishing, and hiking.
Chris serves families with utmost compassion, professionalism, and sincerity.
A Unique Celebration of Life
The Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home, located at 3750 North Montana Avenue in Helena, Montana, provided everything necessary for a truly unique and beautiful celebration of life. We thought you might enjoy seeing a small part of this wonderful remembrance. The family’s heartfelt requests made for a wonderful remembrance that supported everyone in paying last respects to a life lived fully, and beginning their personal journeys through grief. The Anderson Stevenson & Wilke Funeral Home serves many communities including Helena, East Helena, Townsend, White Sulphur Springs, Montana City, Clancy & Lincoln.
Financial Assistance
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many families. At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.
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.
Christmas at Bell Mortuary
The Christmas tree at Bell Mortuary is not decorated like other trees. This special tree displays the memories of many loved ones. Many people come and view the tree each year, and take the time to go around and read these special remembrances.
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 online, 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.
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.
