Company explains delay after Savannah woman waits months for headstone

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) — A Savannah woman says she is frustrated after waiting nearly 10 months for her mother’s headstone, saying the company she ordered it from failed to provide clear updates about the delay.

Stephanie Steed says she paid more than $3,800 for the headstone in October 2025 and was told it would arrive within about six months. The headstone is for her mother, who is still alive and well. Steed plans to have her mother buried at Hillcrest Abbey in Savannah after her sister died in September

“She said it could take a few months, so we pretty much just waited,” Steed said.

Steed says after months passed without receiving the headstone or an explanation for the delay, she repeatedly contacted Fidelity Memorial Group for answers.

She says she was repeatedly told the headstone was on the way but was not given details about when it would arrive.

“It was on the truck, well that’s what you guys have said, it’s on the way, it’s on the truck, ” Sneed said.

Frustrated, Steed says she went to Hillcrest Abbey West last month and requested a refund.

John Bokas with Fidelity Memorial Group acknowledged the delay and said imported granite from overseas caused the holdup. He said the headstone is expected to arrive Monday , August 3rd and the company will notify the Steed family once it does.

Steed says she is concerned the company provided an explanation to WTOC that she says she never received directly.

“WTOC, I’m going to be on the news. I need to really do something about what’s going on. But you never responded to your customer. So, how valuable are we?” Steed said.

WTOC also requested a formal written statement from Fidelity Memorial Group but did not receive one before publication.