Greetings! In social settings, when asked what it is we do for a living, we simply state that we have a website called urngarden.com and toss it back. Despite our enthusiasm for the service we provide, sometimes the reaction is that we sell Amway. Nobody wants it. How about the guy in Oklahoma City that sells skulls? Skulls Unlimited bills itself as the world's leading supplier of osteological specimens. He has a storage unit full of human skulls, most imported from China. Started as a … [Read more...] about Don’t Ask Don’t Tell
ash scattering
For the Love of Poppies
Greetings! Sowed a little seed today and ran a mental checklist of all the frustrations we've been feeling this week....realized that almost all the consternation was self created. What to do. Hmmm. We love poppies, blood red oriental poppies. Ancient Egyptians placed garlands of poppies on mummies and the Greeks crowned their dead with the flower. Legend has it that in Europe, poppies sprang up on battlefields from the blood of slain soldiers. Poppies symbolize consolation, sleep, and … [Read more...] about For the Love of Poppies
Flying Free and Feather Crowns
Surreal seems to be where death services are going, even if only a small percentage make it into the extreme zone. "Some things done at memorial services or celebrations of life would absolutely mortify some traditional types of people," says Janet Riscuitti, director at Funeral Services Association of British Columbia. "There are no rules any more. A meaningful ceremony might be held on a beach and everyone will bring their surfboards." There are no rules...and that's why the funeral … [Read more...] about Flying Free and Feather Crowns
Half-Ash Settlement
Greetings! While we never followed the movements of Anna Nicole Smith when she was alive, somehow we've been sucked into the complications swirling around the paternity of her baby girl and 10 year legal battle for her late husband's 1.6 billion dollar estate. Dirtsister was unaware that ANS and J. Marshall's son even fought over who would get Paw-Paw's remains! The court determined the widow and son would split the ashes. It's a busy week in the garden and we're happy to report that … [Read more...] about Half-Ash Settlement
Generation X Decisions in Death
The February issue of Mortuary Management's Colleague Wisdom asks funeral directors around the country what the trends are with younger patrons planning funerals. Generation X'ers are likely to choose cremation for a parent or older adult, but tend to make burial arrangements for a child. A Colorado funeral home reports that the younger clients associate viewings and funerals with grief, and prefer "celebrations" for remembering over traditional funerals. Service details tend to be more … [Read more...] about Generation X Decisions in Death