"I think when I die, I am going to write in my will what I want planted on
my grave and how often I want it cleaned. And put a little money in
escrow to replace my stone in 75 - 100 years when it becomes unreadable or
broke. This may be a new business I could start. The funeral homes sell
burial insurance, I could sell "perpetual care of your gravestone and
grass" insurance."
Ernie,
Good luck to you. In Hancock County, a wealthy farmer died in the 1930's. He left
implicit instructions how he wanted the cemetery cared for after he passed, how a fence
was to be constructed, etc. and left money in a PERPETUAL fund with county commissioners
to care for this cemetery. Well.......the cemetery was not cared for, the fence did get
constructed but was not maintained. Where did the money go? I talked with the county
auditor. He said he never ran across this fund. He said we had no proof, other than the
will, that the money was to given to commissioners and that they may not have accepted
this trust. Well.......after two hours of digging another lady and I found the microfilmed
check to the commissioners and where they accepted the trust. But we have not found yet
where this money went to. Did it go to the general fund? Who knows.
I have never seen a will detailed the way this one was. Even after he went to this much
trouble, his wishes were still not carried out. Isn't that awful?
Angela Tielking