The Minnesota Association of Cemeteries elected Evergreen Cemetery Association Executive Director Karen Lentz to the board of directors as vice-president effective Jan. 1, 2015.

Lentz attended the 91st annual conference in Hinckley.

The Minnesota Association of Cemeteries (MAC) was founded in 1924 as a nonprofit resource for cemetery managers. The MAC has come to represent the interests of everyone concerned with the present and future of cemeteries in Minnesota. The state association serves as a consumer resource. The state website, http://www.mncemeteries.org/ has a link to the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA).

Evergreen Cemetery Association, as a member of the Minnesota Association of Cemeteries, receives benefits, including regular communication on topics of current interest.

The MAC publishes a periodic newsletters with legislative updates, industry news and more. It serves as a resource for vital information on a variety of topics, including laws affecting cemetery operations and for contacts in the cemetery industry of vendors and suppliers as sources of information on new products and services to enhance efficiency. The annual convention provides an opportunity to network with other cemetery officials and hear about the latest developments affecting cemeteries.

“We're very glad to have Karen Lentz serve as vice president and look forward to her input in the future decisions regarding the association,” said Ron Gjerde, secretary/treasurer of the state board.

A main area of discussion at the annual seminar was the current trend of cremation burials in lieu of traditional casket. Evergreen/Memorial Gardens cemeteries offer options for both traditional or cremation burials. The addition in 2012 of a Columbarium in Memorial Gardens cemetery follows the master plan of the cemetery and provides a choice of an above ground cremation inurnment.

Evergreen Cemetery Association owns and manages Evergreen Cemetery in Brainerd and Memorial Gardens Cemetery on the northeast edge of Brainerd on Crow Wing County Highway 3. It's a nonprofit organization. As a self-supporting entity, the association receives no monies from local, state or federal agencies. Donations and bequests are welcomed and may be tax-deductible. The cemetery office is 1105 Third Ave. NE, Brainerd. For more information, go to the website: http://www.brainerd.net/~evergreencem/ or email evergreencem@brainerd.net.

(Published in the Brainerd Daily Dispatch November 14, 2014)