PREPLANNING YOUR MEMORIAL IS A NATURAL EXTENSION OF ESTATE PLANNING

SIMPLE STEP SAVES MONEY AND BENEFITS FAMILY

July 1999

COLD SPRING, MN – Preplanning a memorial – whether for an individual or family – is a sensible extension of estate planning, and one more decision that can save you time and money, as well as remove a burden from your survivors, according to John Mattke.

There are more choices of materials and designs available for today’s monuments and markers than ever before, says Mattke, of Cold Spring Granite, the world’s largest granite quarrier and fabricator. As a result, it’s easier and more affordable to select a monument that reflects your style and personality.

"A memorial is probably the longest lasting investment you will ever make, so it makes sense to give it some careful thought," Mattke says. "It’s really about getting the kind of memorial that’s right for you and your family."

Mattke offered the following tips for preselecting a memorial:

• Make it a family decision. One of the greatest benefit of preplanning is the ability to make a joint decision. You and your spouse are able to choose a memorial that reflects your personality, without placing that responsibility solely on a spouse or child.

• Consider it a long-term investment. By planning ahead, you can get better value for your money. The worst time to make a financial decision is following a death in the family. Oftentimes in these cases, feelings of guilt, remorse and loss can cloud your decisions. Just as important, you can lock in a price and pay for it over time.

• Take advantage of financing, if necessary. You can arrange payment options to fit your budget, including short-term financing. These options are rarely used or made available after death.

• Decide on special designs in advance. Personal tributes and design can be created and selected ahead of time to ensure accuracy of every detail. Pay special attention to the size, shape, color options and price. A memorial retailer should be able to help with these questions.

"Like every part of estate planning, making arrangements for your memorial is a decision that’s best made when you can take time to get exactly what you want," Mattke says. "Memorial decisions will last forever and should not be rushed or strained."

Note to editors: Mattke available for interview. Contact Sharon Jensen at 320-685-3621.

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