Everyone knows that estate plans are primarily about your assets or your minor children, if you have any. Recently, however, some companies are asking people to make unusual decisions about what will happen to their remains as part of their estate plans.
Diamonds are relatively common and easy to make. All you need is some carbon placed under immense pressure and a diamond will form. In nature, this process takes a very long time. However, with modern machinery diamonds can be made quickly.
One company has a novel source for the carbon that will be used to create a diamond: you.
The company wants you to order that your remains be cremated and turned into a diamond that will last forever. This story was recently reported in Big Canoe News article titled “Diamonds (and you) can be forever.”
As you read the original article, you will discover this is not the only company that offers to let people do something unique with their remains. Another company will even press your ashes into a phonographic record that can be played. Yet another company will make your ashes part of potting soil in which your relatives can grow a plant.
For most people, this is probably in the “well, it’s good to have options, I guess” category. On the other hand, if you do want to have something unusual done with your remains, it appears that you have several choices.
As you may imagine, it is important to have anything unusual spelled out in your estate plan. Do not just tell someone what you want done. If you want your plan to carry weight with the court, let alone your family, it needs to be written down officially.
Consult an experienced estate planning attorney to ensure your wishes are honored.
Please contact our office today at 239-225-7911 to schedule an appointment with Barbara M. Pizzolato if you are interested in protecting your legacy and need to create or update your estate plan. You may also wish to attend one of our free seminars.
Reference: Big Canoe News (January 10, 2015) “Diamonds (and you) can be forever.”
