7 REASONS TO PLAN YOUR FAMILY MEMORIAL IN ADVANCE

Reason One: No one likes to think about his own death, but failure to do so makes it more difficult on the bereaved family.
Let's start by examining what happens when people don't do any planning for their own deaths. Your close family members are forced to handle countless details. They must notify people, choose a funeral home and make arrangements with a cemetery, to name just a few of the things they must think about. All this at a time when they are emotionally upset. That's why responsible, caring people plan every detail - including choice of the family memorial - well in advance.
Doing so is perfectly logical and sensible. It is part or an effort that many Americans are making to get control of their own lives. There is nothing morbid or even sad about it. After all, why plan so carefully for when you are alive and then leave everything to chance the moment you die?

Reason Two: Choosing a family memorial is a joint decision. Why should someone be forced to make it alone?
Many people find it difficult to buy even the simplest gifts for their spouses. "Would she really like this ring or prefer another?" "Would he rather have striped or solid tie?" In life you can always ask -- and you can exchange a bad selection. However, choosing a memorial after a family member has died is another matter. Would he or she like it? You can only guess. it's a bad way to go about it.
Choosing a memorial should reflect mutual tastes and wishes. It is, after all, the most permanent purchase you will ever make. Some people include the whole family in selecting a memorial. it's a good idea. You'd be surprised at how much better everyone feels at a sad time when these decisions have been made together.

Reason Three: The worst time to make a financial commitment is when there has been a death in the family.
One of the normal feelings associated with death is guilt. Bereaved persons commonly feel that they should have been nicer to the deceased. Perhaps they regret something that was said in the distant --or not to distant--past.
Because of a tendency to overspend in order to wash away some of the guilt, no major financial commitment should ever be made at such a time. A cemetery lot and memorial should be chosen in advance by mutual agreement.

Reason Four: By planning in advance, you protect your family from high pressure sales tactics that can occur at a time when they are under emotional stress.
Advance planning allows the family to choose a memorial of high quality and lasting value at a reasonable price. This way you can take your time evaluating each possible choice, without being susceptible to high pressure from eager sales people.

Reason Five: Advance planning assures that your insurance will be used for the needs of your loved ones.
Most people don't buy insurance to cover funeral expenses. The money is intended to provide for their family's future. By planning and purchasing your memorial in advance, you can be certain that savings and insurance funds will be used as intended. Buying at today's prices will also protect against rising costs.

Reason Six: Advance planning assures a memorial of the quality you desire.
It's hard to believe there is such a thing as inferior stone. But many memorial stones have a tendency to discolor over the years. How do you guard against this?
All you need to do is select a granite memorial offered by a reputable monument dealer such as Twin City Monuments or Granite Products Companies with over 85 years of experience. Monument dealers are knowledgeable about stone and will speak candidly with you about choosing your memorial in advance. In the extremely unlikely event that discoloration occurs, Twin City Monuments and Granite Products Companies has a life time guarantee from the granite quarries for the life of the monument at no cost to your family.
This guarantee extends from the granite quarry, to Twin City Monuments and Granite Products, to the cemetery. If anything at all happens anytime in the future, the cemetery simply notifies our company. Twin City Monuments and Granite Products and the granite quarry then will see to it that the memorial is repaired or even replaced, if necessary. So even if family members move away, they will have peace of mind in knowing that your memorial will remain forever beautiful and unflawed.

Reason Seven: There is no such thing as an "expected death." The time to act is now.
All of us die "unexpectedly." Even those who have cared for the terminally ill will tell you that every death comes as something of a shock. Immediately, there are countless things to do and not enough time in which to do them all.
This is why you should not delay planning for the events and necessities associated with death. If you have ever been faced with the task of making arrangements for someone who did not do so, you will know how important this planning is. The plans made can always be changed as life progresses. Do not, however, chance the unexpected any longer.