February 12, 2025 • 7 mins
Mike Matthysse of MKD Funeral Homes joins us for a Talk of the Town!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is Talk of the Town on news radio with
thirteen hundred and one oh six nine FM. I am
Steve Kelly from West Michigan's Morning News here with my
friend and I can say personal friend, Mike Mattice, Mettice
Kuyper Digraph MKD Funeral Homes. Mike, thanks for coming.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
In to Thanks for having me, Steve. I don't know
if we.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Started as friends or people that work together, but Mike
and his group did the arrangements for my father and
I can't tell you how thrilled I know Brett has
a personal connection too. One my uncle Jim remember that
that wasn't that many Christmases ago either, That's correct MKD
now with eight locations, and I wanted to start there
(00:36):
talk to us a little bit about your expansion and
how you're giving back to so many communities.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Now, yeah, well began back in nineteen thirty seven with
a few family members. It started with three locations and
it expanded now currently to eight locations. We're just been
so blessed to be a part of this West Michigan
area and there's so many families that have been served
one location that it now gives the ability to serve
(01:02):
them at other locations, and we just have a great
group of directors that have the heart to serve families
in their darkest.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Time of need. And when you can just make that.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Experience as positive as it can in entering that loved
one's life, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
And you're here too, right, So I think sometimes people
see expansion and they think conglomeration, and that's not that
at all. It's it's people that live here, directors that
live here and serve their community to exactly.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
We all, all of us live here in the West
Michigan area's locally owned and we are all involved in
our local churches, schools, and and so we really thrive
just to be a part of this West Michigan area.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Granville, Kentwood, Wyoming, Allendale, Caledonia, Belmont, the Wyoming there and
Division Avenue, Hudsonville, Jamestown. We've heard a lot about that
because that's the newest location.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Those our newest location.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
That used to be the former Noel restaurant, and so
it's got a lot of history, a lot of character
of that particular area. A lot of people have been
married there. It was a former church, so a lot
of connections there and so it's been a real it's
been a real blessing to continue that heritage on there.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Mkdfuneralhome dot com. That's mkdfuneralhome dot com for more information.
Mike Mattice is our guest from MKD here on Talk
of the Town. Let's talk about pre planning. And although
I think there are some financial benefits to doing this,
I think the biggest reason would be peace of mind
(02:35):
and convenience for your kids.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Right exactly. I said it.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
With so many families that have not done pre arrangements
or done pre planning, and in the moment, your thought
processes is totally different. Emotionally, you're just not processing the same.
And so you know, sometimes families when you sit down
and ask the question do I want a service with
a visitation? Do I want a cremation? I want something simple,
(03:02):
and the discussion has never been talked about. And and
so this is grants the wishes of a of a person.
It makes that directive so much easier from a financial perspective.
It's really good also because the prices are locked in.
Once you pre plan a funeral, it's guaranteed and and
(03:22):
so it's just it takes that financial piece of it
out of it at that moment. But there's benefits also
for for people that have to go into a nursing
home or need long term care. It does protect that
money where it doesn't become an asset anymore. So there's
always that that that piece of the money that's available
for funerals.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
That's a very good point.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
That's another one just in case I'm not of the
of the mindset when it comes time for me to
get my promotion, as the Colonel used to call it,
it's already in sandy, and I have a funeral file, right,
So we hear hymns and say, well, I want that
one on the way out. And I think a lot
of people do that where you'll go to a funeral
and you'll say that was a really neat idea, or
(04:05):
this is something I don't want to do. This way,
you get it all in a file and it stays
with you exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
We have.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
We have a file for for every person that does
pre arrange. You can make adjustments to it, you can
add to it at any time. But when you sit
down with the children or whoever's in charge of those arrangements,
and you say Hey, this is what mom or dad plan.
These are the songs, either the scripture, passages or whatever
ceremonies they wish to have. There's this there's this like
(04:33):
a relief in the room just to knowing that, hey,
we're just honoring what they want and we know that
those details already in place.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Brilliant mkdfuneral home dot com. Let's talk a little bit
about some of the stuff you're doing right now in
the community. We talk about fill the Fountain every year,
and a little twist this.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Year it is we we try.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
We're just blessed to partner with so many wonderful organizations
here in West Michigan and from from kids ministries to
now veterans. We have a heart for veterans. We just
truly appreciate all the veterans that have served our country.
And you know, as a stat you know there's over
thirty two thousand homeless veterans in the United States, and
(05:16):
and so many of them, even if they're not homeless,
there's a financial need and they're there. They need daily
things to this whether it's groceries, socks, underwear, coats, it's
it's and so we just want to honor those people
that gave so much to us for our freedom, and
(05:36):
it's just one way that we can give back to them.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
So talk to us about the details, Dan and how
can I contribute, How can I help fill the fountain?
And that's for our friends that finished the mission this.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Year exactly, and it's been a great partnership with with them.
It's a coalition that is directly involved with veterans and
so together we are going to fill the fountain at
our Grandville location. That's where it started. You can be
drop off items at any one of our locations throughout
the area, but it started in Granville where the fountain
(06:06):
is and we want to fill that with those items.
You can go to our Facebook page and can go
to our MKD Funeral Home dot com. We have an
Amazon wish list that is available, makes it very simple
and so it shows some of those those daily items
that can be.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Ordered again mkdifuneral Home dot com or find them on Facebook.
And lastly, as we get ready for Christmas here in
West Michigan, talk to us a little bit about Christmas
in Jamestown.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Absolutely, we are really excited about our This is our
second annual Jamestown Christmas celebration. We have we have food trucks,
we have live reindeer, we have carriage rides and so
it's just a great fun evening for the kids. And
and last year was such a such a success. We
have pictures with Sanna, So come on down with the
(06:54):
kids and be able to get pictures with Sanna and
just a wonderful atmosphere to bring in the Christmas.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Seat When when can we do that?
Speaker 3 (07:02):
So that is going to be December fourteen from five
to seven pm. And and so it looks like it's
going to be a little it will be a true
Christmas atmosphere with the snow and bring us, bring us
in that festive season.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
What is wrong with that? Again?
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Mike Mattie with MKD Mattice Kuiper de Graph Funeral Homes.
You may find out more at mkdfuneralhome dot com. Mike,
it's been a pleasure. Thanks for your time today.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Thanks sing for your time, Steve.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
This is Talk of the Town on news Radio with
thirteen hundred and one oh six nine FM.
This is Talk of the Town on news radio with
thirteen hundred and one oh six nine FM. I am
Steve Kelly from West Michigan's Morning News here with my
friend and I can say personal friend, Mike Mattice, Mettice
Kuyper Digraph MKD Funeral Homes. Mike, thanks for coming.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
In to Thanks for having me, Steve. I don't know
if we.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Started as friends or people that work together, but Mike
and his group did the arrangements for my father and
I can't tell you how thrilled I know Brett has
a personal connection too. One my uncle Jim remember that
that wasn't that many Christmases ago either, That's correct MKD
now with eight locations, and I wanted to start there
(00:36):
talk to us a little bit about your expansion and
how you're giving back to so many communities.
Speaker 3 (00:42):
Now, yeah, well began back in nineteen thirty seven with
a few family members. It started with three locations and
it expanded now currently to eight locations. We're just been
so blessed to be a part of this West Michigan
area and there's so many families that have been served
one location that it now gives the ability to serve
(01:02):
them at other locations, and we just have a great
group of directors that have the heart to serve families
in their darkest.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Time of need. And when you can just make that.
Speaker 3 (01:13):
Experience as positive as it can in entering that loved
one's life, that's what it's all about.
Speaker 1 (01:18):
And you're here too, right, So I think sometimes people
see expansion and they think conglomeration, and that's not that
at all. It's it's people that live here, directors that
live here and serve their community to exactly.
Speaker 3 (01:31):
We all, all of us live here in the West
Michigan area's locally owned and we are all involved in
our local churches, schools, and and so we really thrive
just to be a part of this West Michigan area.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
Granville, Kentwood, Wyoming, Allendale, Caledonia, Belmont, the Wyoming there and
Division Avenue, Hudsonville, Jamestown. We've heard a lot about that
because that's the newest location.
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Those our newest location.
Speaker 3 (01:57):
That used to be the former Noel restaurant, and so
it's got a lot of history, a lot of character
of that particular area. A lot of people have been
married there. It was a former church, so a lot
of connections there and so it's been a real it's
been a real blessing to continue that heritage on there.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Mkdfuneralhome dot com. That's mkdfuneralhome dot com for more information.
Mike Mattice is our guest from MKD here on Talk
of the Town. Let's talk about pre planning. And although
I think there are some financial benefits to doing this,
I think the biggest reason would be peace of mind
(02:35):
and convenience for your kids.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
Right exactly. I said it.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
With so many families that have not done pre arrangements
or done pre planning, and in the moment, your thought
processes is totally different. Emotionally, you're just not processing the same.
And so you know, sometimes families when you sit down
and ask the question do I want a service with
a visitation? Do I want a cremation? I want something simple,
(03:02):
and the discussion has never been talked about. And and
so this is grants the wishes of a of a person.
It makes that directive so much easier from a financial perspective.
It's really good also because the prices are locked in.
Once you pre plan a funeral, it's guaranteed and and
(03:22):
so it's just it takes that financial piece of it
out of it at that moment. But there's benefits also
for for people that have to go into a nursing
home or need long term care. It does protect that
money where it doesn't become an asset anymore. So there's
always that that that piece of the money that's available
for funerals.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
That's a very good point.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
That's another one just in case I'm not of the
of the mindset when it comes time for me to
get my promotion, as the Colonel used to call it,
it's already in sandy, and I have a funeral file, right,
So we hear hymns and say, well, I want that
one on the way out. And I think a lot
of people do that where you'll go to a funeral
and you'll say that was a really neat idea, or
(04:05):
this is something I don't want to do. This way,
you get it all in a file and it stays
with you exactly.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
We have.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
We have a file for for every person that does
pre arrange. You can make adjustments to it, you can
add to it at any time. But when you sit
down with the children or whoever's in charge of those arrangements,
and you say Hey, this is what mom or dad plan.
These are the songs, either the scripture, passages or whatever
ceremonies they wish to have. There's this there's this like
(04:33):
a relief in the room just to knowing that, hey,
we're just honoring what they want and we know that
those details already in place.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
Brilliant mkdfuneral home dot com. Let's talk a little bit
about some of the stuff you're doing right now in
the community. We talk about fill the Fountain every year,
and a little twist this.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Year it is we we try.
Speaker 3 (04:54):
We're just blessed to partner with so many wonderful organizations
here in West Michigan and from from kids ministries to
now veterans. We have a heart for veterans. We just
truly appreciate all the veterans that have served our country.
And you know, as a stat you know there's over
thirty two thousand homeless veterans in the United States, and
(05:16):
and so many of them, even if they're not homeless,
there's a financial need and they're there. They need daily
things to this whether it's groceries, socks, underwear, coats, it's
it's and so we just want to honor those people
that gave so much to us for our freedom, and
(05:36):
it's just one way that we can give back to them.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
So talk to us about the details, Dan and how
can I contribute, How can I help fill the fountain?
And that's for our friends that finished the mission this.
Speaker 3 (05:46):
Year exactly, and it's been a great partnership with with them.
It's a coalition that is directly involved with veterans and
so together we are going to fill the fountain at
our Grandville location. That's where it started. You can be
drop off items at any one of our locations throughout
the area, but it started in Granville where the fountain
(06:06):
is and we want to fill that with those items.
You can go to our Facebook page and can go
to our MKD Funeral Home dot com. We have an
Amazon wish list that is available, makes it very simple
and so it shows some of those those daily items
that can be.
Speaker 1 (06:22):
Ordered again mkdifuneral Home dot com or find them on Facebook.
And lastly, as we get ready for Christmas here in
West Michigan, talk to us a little bit about Christmas
in Jamestown.
Speaker 3 (06:33):
Absolutely, we are really excited about our This is our
second annual Jamestown Christmas celebration. We have we have food trucks,
we have live reindeer, we have carriage rides and so
it's just a great fun evening for the kids. And
and last year was such a such a success. We
have pictures with Sanna, So come on down with the
(06:54):
kids and be able to get pictures with Sanna and
just a wonderful atmosphere to bring in the Christmas.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
Seat When when can we do that?
Speaker 3 (07:02):
So that is going to be December fourteen from five
to seven pm. And and so it looks like it's
going to be a little it will be a true
Christmas atmosphere with the snow and bring us, bring us
in that festive season.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
What is wrong with that? Again?
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Mike Mattie with MKD Mattice Kuiper de Graph Funeral Homes.
You may find out more at mkdfuneralhome dot com. Mike,
it's been a pleasure. Thanks for your time today.
Speaker 2 (07:28):
Thanks sing for your time, Steve.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
This is Talk of the Town on news Radio with
thirteen hundred and one oh six nine FM.
Popular Podcasts
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com