Memorial Service Ideas

Birds of a Feather: Cardinal Cremation Urn

August 13, 2019 urngarden.com

Way back when we launched the urngarden.com site, we tried to focus on inspirational people and images that would lift us up out of the darkness and hopefully inspire others too.

My grandmother was one of the most impactful people in my life both personally and professionally, Our business name, Urn Garden came from her habit of creating memorial gardens when a loved one died. Back then, she lived on a large farm out in the country and she would dedicate a special planting on her property to honor that person. These spaces were tastefully arranged with flowers, shrubs, or statutory and did NOT look like a graveyard.

Later, she sold the farm, did a major downsize and moved to a condo in town, where she was closer to family and friends. She had a postage stamp size yard still full of flowers, but with more time on her hands, she started amassing a collection of bird figurines, that soon covered every surface in the house.

We joked about it, glad that it was inanimate objects, and not cats, so we christened her place “The Fowl House”. On one visit, as I sat on the couch in her front room, I started counting the birds within sight. I stopped at 100. It had become an obsession.

Bird & Butterfly Cremation Urns for ashes

That’s how we came up with the Bird and Butterfly collection of cremation urns (she liked butterflies, too) because of how bird crazy she was. She believed that if you loved it, you better put a bird on it.

Cardinal cremation urn for ashes — Cardinal Adult Cremation Urn

Cardinals were probably her favorite, and the Cardinal on Dogwood urn for ashes is a tribute to her. This urn is so beautiful and the old saying that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Recently, this style has been copied by imposters, so just know that when you buy from us, know that it’s the original design created by Americans that care about your family, and we can offer professional engraving services as well.

For years my grandparents were members of the Silver Eagles and went to conventions and made many friends from around the country. Soaring Free Eagle Cremation Urn is another style that we launched to honor that history.

My dear grandmother peacefully died in her sleep three years ago and at her memorial service we put that bird collection out for the guests to take as a keepsake. We were surprised at the turn out, many came from out of town, but she had made a huge impact on others lives as well. I miss her every day. I was lucky enough to inherit a few pieces of her jewelry, one favorite is a chunky turquoise bracelet that I wear when I want to feel the weight of her presence. Before she died, she had made a quilt that I sleep with every night and it feels like a hug. I miss holding hands with her and her gentle loving spirit.

As I’m typing this, a cardinal is perched on a dogwood branch, right outside my window. I can’t tell if it’s a male or female, but that bird is super chirpy this morning. Maybe that’s a sign?

Anyway, imagine my surprise, when I received a handwritten thank you not from a client. This is a rare and welcome gift, as I consider the act of writing a thank you note a dying art. This came from the heartland of America, so that gives me hope. This family in Kansas had recently held a memorial service for their mom who was also known as a sister, aunt, grandmother, cousin, and friend.

small cardinal cremation urn for ashes — Small Cardinal Keepsake Urn for Ashes

The cardinal must have meant something to their family as well, because in addition to ordering the cardinal cremation urn, they created a funeral program which featured a poem with a picture of a cardinal. Not gonna lie, I was so touched by not only the gesture, but the poem really spoke to me and I felt myself even get a little misty as I read the words. They reminded me so much of dear Etta, my grandmother. I want to share them with you, too and hope it brings you comfort.

Red Feathered Soul

When you’re lost or feeling down,

Don’t despair, just look around

God made me red so you would see,

I still exist outside your memory.

I make my visits in bright daylight,

You’ll hear my son in distant flight,

My cardinal song is a call to you,

To tell you that I miss you too.

I am everywhere and finally free,

Like love you cannot touch or see,

You’ll see me in the trees and skies,

I didn’t leave, love never dies.

Elle Bee

4 Beautiful Symbolic Urns That Bring Peace and Rest to The Soul

April 2, 2019 urngarden.com

When families are faced with shopping for an urn to store a loved ones ashes, it’s usually a pretty dark day. With all the choices that are available to buy online these days it can quickly become very overwhelming. At Urn Garden, we don’t carry every urn on the planet. Based on our years of experience, and listening to our customer’s feedback, we’ve curated a collection of cremation urns for both humans and pets that families use to create touching memorials that create a sense of peace and calm during a highly emotional time.

Here’s a few of our top picks for creating “beauty from the ashes”, to quote a biblical passage. For us, it’s about rising above the storm to find the sunshine.

beautiful beach and cardinal urns for ashes

CARDINAL CREMATION URN

Several of our cremation urn choices are nature themes. The late Dr. Wayne Dyer said “becoming an instrument of peace is easy to do when you return to the natural world”, and many of our friends and families find comfort in the appearance of the cardinal after a death occurs.

The mini jeweled cardinal is a sweet little keepsake that can be purchased separate from the large urn. The top lifts to reveal a small storage chamber that holds a bit of ashes or lock of hair. Here’s a close up.

The companion piece to this ensemble is the adult size cardinal urn with the scarlet red cardinal perched on a branch of blooming dogwood flowers. The dogwood has spiritual connotations and by now everyone knows the significance of a cardinal sighting after death. It means a loved one is near.

Ocean Beach Themed Cremation Urns

For some people, the solution to calm the chaos is take a walk on the beach. In our fast paced, crowded, noisy world, returning to nature can quiet the mind and nourish the spirit. Sand and surf is the best medicine for those that love the salt life. Ocean waves can melt the anxiousness away.

We call this beach themed urn Santa Rosa, it’s made out of metal and can be engraved with up to three lines of engraving if you want. Beautiful ocean sunset, white sand. Peace.

Eagle Urn, Wings of Freedom

We’re circling back to birds, we’ve got quite a collection ranging from owls, bluebirds, hummingbird and more, but the most powerful of the flock and the one that resonates with our families is the eagle.

eagle cremation urn for ashes — Wings of Freedom Eagle Urn

Beautiful wing span over beautiful blue skyline and snow capped mountain range. We go into more detail on the qualities and characteristics of the powerful eagle on this recent post The Eagle Always Wins, Even at the Funeral.

Sunset Eagle is the traditional vase shape and features a symbolic sunset with rich colors and imagery. Also a full size adult urn, this has the threaded lid and is suitable for display or burial.

Heart Shaped Urns

Heart shaped urns are often used when a smaller container is needed for a smaller amount of ashes. People often buy these small sized urns when the families plan to divide and share some of the ashes. The hearts are perfect for this.

Made from metal with a glossy finish, the hearts are a secure way to store ashes, lock of hair or fur. They usually come with a stand and storage case.

Sold with the stand, they can be elevated or lay flat. Color choices are purple, cobalt blue, green, red.

The hearts engrave beautifully and are suitable for display or burial.

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Blue Cremation Urns: Beauty from the Ashes:

March 26, 2019 Kim Stacey

In the previous post I mentioned the American Gem Society states there are two birthstones for March: the widely-accepted aquamarine, and the less-well-known bloodstone. So, our task for today is to explore just a few of the many blue cremation urns in our collection.

Full-Size Urns for Humans

https://www.urngarden.com/infinity-angel-mother-of-pearl-urn-for-ashes.html

These urns range in color from intense blue to a delicate sky blue – and anywhere in between. Some are full-sized urns, some are keepsake urns, and others are stunning pieces of cremation jewelry. Here are the ones which especially draw my eye – and maybe yours, too.

I’ve got to say, it was hard for me to choose my #1 favorite in this category – there are so many gorgeous blue urns to choose from! Still, I narrowed it down to two.

The first is the cloisonné Azure Blue Cremation Urn – and the reason is simple: it features beautifully-wrought flowers in many of shades of blue. When I look at it I feel relaxed and soothed; I also love the shape, classical styling and the elegant base. In addition to the adult size, this also comes in an oversized version (double capacity) to store two sets of ashes, known as a companion urn.

My second favorite is, in my humble opinion, gorgeous in its simplicity. I believe it calms me in a far different way than the previous is the cremation urn called Wings of Freedom. The powerful eagle soaring across a beautiful blue sky is easy on the eye and creates a feeling of peace, hope, and serenity.

Why did I choose these two urns? It’s because their respective (and very different) beauty almost takes my breath away. As does this next blue cremation urn.

Blue Keepsake Urns

My #1 favorite in this category is the Blue Butterfly Keepsake Urn. Its intricacy calls to mind (at least for me), the stunningly gorgeous Imperial Eggs of Faberge. (Want to feast your eyes on some of those beauties? Check out “The Imperial Eggs” on the Faberge website.) Reviewers like it too; “awesome,” “beautiful” and “perfect” were three comments left by buyers.

Another sweet and small keepsake for ashes is the bluebird. So tiny and detailed, it will hold just a pinch of whatever you want to store inside.

Now, let’s look at another blue cremation urn, this time, from our cremation jewelry collection.

Blue Cremation Jewelry

The very-fashionable Blue Glass Bead Urn Bracelet is described this way: “Icy blue glass beads and antiqued silver spacers: and while they are eye-catching, it’s the tiny stainless steel heart that holds the magic – and a small amount of a loved one’s ashes. (If you like it as much as I do, but blue isn’t your first choice of color, you’ll be happy to know it’s also available in Emerald Green, Purple, Sweet Pink, and the truly eye-catching Black and White.

If I’ve whet your appetite and you’re now eager to see more of our popular blue urns, we’ve created a special link for the complete collection of blue urns, also, back in 2017 we published “Forever Blue: Our Top 5 Blue Urns for Ashes.” Be sure to check out that post for more blue cremation urns (not featured in this post. You may also enjoy reading the 2014 post “Urns for Ashes: Baby’s Got Blue Eyes.”)

One more thing before I go. If you’d rather pay tribute to a loved one born in March, but aren’t a fan of any shade of blue – perhaps referencing the bloodstone is more appropriate. And this hardwood urn has the potential to become a more inclusive memorial, in that the Companion Double Wood Urn, designed as a companion urn capable of safekeeping the ashes of 2 adults; provides a second compartment could be used to hold mementos or photographs.

Thank you for joining me today – and here’s hoping spring comes to stay for a while. (In my world, it’s as if she knocks on the door and then runs away!)

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Cremation Jewelry for March & April Birthday: Aries Astrology Signs and Birthstones

March 20, 2019 Kim Stacey

For anyone who’s fascinated with astrology, this bit of news won’t be surprising at all: Aries is actually the first of the signs of the zodiac. Being in the lead implies those born under the sign of Aries are trailblazers. The symbol of the sign is the ram, or more accurately, the horns of a ram.

The folks over at Horoscope.com declare they are also passionate and fiercely independent, “Aries will never do something just because everyone else is doing it.” The authors also share 5 reasons why anyone lucky enough to be born under the sign (March21 – April 19) should be shouting with joy at their good fortune:

You’re the most courageous and ambitious sign, the leader of every pack.
Your determination is unmatched when it comes to getting what you want.
You work hard but also play hard—you’re the life of every party!
You’re easygoing and enjoy the company of all kinds of people.
You’re impulsive. Sure, sometimes acting first and thinking later is risky, but more often than not, it leads to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you’re an Aries, you might enjoy reading the Buzzfeed online article “17 Reasons Why Aries People Are So Amazing That Everyone Else Should Just Stop Trying.” In reason #5, the authors tell readers “Some say that Aries’ are drama queens, but we just can’t help it — being a diva runs through our veins.” And one of those ’drama queens’ is the amazingly talented Lady Gaga.

Lady Gaga — Marcel de Groot [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Born Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta on March 28th, 1986, in Manhattan, this woman has become a world-wide sensation as a songwriter, singer, actress, philanthropist, dancer and fashion designer.

Gregarious since early childhood (Stephani was performing at open mike nights as early as 14); at 17, her obvious talents took her brought her to the door of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. The rest, as they say, is history; just this past February, she won an Oscar for Shadow, which she performed in the most recent version of A Star is Born. Perhaps the best news is, she’s only turning 32 this year; we can expect to watch Gaga continue to blossom for many more years.

The Downside of this Astrological Sign

If you give it a few minutes thought, you can figure out what some of the flaws of an Aries might be. With the characteristics mentioned earlier, it’s easy to see how an Aries, talented and driven, can be self-centered and aggressive.

When it comes to communication, they can be overly blunt and seemingly unkind. They can also be “inconsistent, loud, domineering, and bad-tempered” (Labyrinthos). Such a person would be hard to live with I think; unless they’re very self-aware and work hard against these negatives.

Birthstones for March & April

The American Gem Society tells readers there are two birthstones for March: the lovely aquamarine, and the bloodstone.

There couldn’t be two more different birthstones: the aquamarine is a light, delicate blue – and the bloodstone looks just like it sounds. Despite the differences in appearance, the AGS shares “each share a similar symbolism of preserving or enhancing the health of the wearer.”

The aquamarine’s color, a “serene blue or blue-green” is believed to “cool the temper, allowing the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded.” Bloodstone was used by the ancients to increase strength and provide the gift of prophecy. Seems like anyone born in the month of March would benefit from wearing both!

Are You New to Our Astrology Series?

If so, you may want to catch up by reading January’s “Astrology Signs and Birthstones” post, as well as last month’s “Astrology Signs and Birthstones: February.” While these posts aren’t as detailed as many you’ll find on the subjects, they’re good introductions to the topics. All are intended to give the reader insight into a loved one’s personality, and maybe give you some idea about the nature of your relationships with them (whether alive or deceased). Next week, as is our custom, we’ll look at cremations urns you’ll find worthy of the Aries persona.

Acknowledging a Death Anniversary: A Few Ideas

March 11, 2019 Kim Stacey

I’ve been thinking and writing about death anniversaries for years. Most recently it was “Twelve Ways to Celebrate a Loved One’s Death Anniversary.” This time around, I’d like to explore questions related to the realization the need to acknowledge the date of a loved one’s death naturally fades over time. Sadly, when we fail to remember ‘the big day’ a few years down life’s road, we’re saddened and feel a measure of guilt on top of the sorrow.

Here’s what I think happens: as time passes we successfully integrate our memories of the deceased into our daily lives. No longer do they bring us to tears; instead, they’re a cause for reflection and may even bring a smile.

If you’ve already read: “Anticipatory Grief: One Woman’s Story”, published last year, you’ll know much of the backstory here. Long story short, my ex-husband Matt died on June 16th, 2015. When my grief was fresh, I acknowledged every anniversary, it seemed. The first day, the first week, the first month’s anniversary, and every one after that – culminating in a family ash-scattering event on the first year anniversary. That’s a fairly common reaction to recent loss – early on, your grief takes up a great deal of your time each day.

The second anniversary of his passing brought only phone calls to other family members to share a few memories of the man we knew and loved. No gathering, no ritual. And, you ask, what about the third year?

While I remembered the anniversary weeks ahead of time and acknowledged its imminent arrival; I’ve got to be honest and tell you June 16, 2018 came and went without comment. And yes, I felt certain guilt about it – but I also realized the omission meant I was healing from the trauma of his death – as were our sons. Huzzah!

Please understand; this doesn’t mean we’ve forgotten Matt. In truth, we’ve turned our focus from the sadness and misery of his untimely passing. Now, it’s our good memories that dominate; and the recollections of the horrors of his last months on Earth have faded into the background of our lives.

Let’s Talk about the “Why” of Acknowledging Death Anniversaries

It’s simple, really: in our society, it’s common to mark significant days in our lives. Certainly, the death of someone dear to us fits the description of ‘significant’ – as much so as a birth, graduation, marriage or divorce. Combine that propensity with the human penchant for staging rituals to mark such events – and you’ve got the foundation of the practice of celebrating death anniversaries. The events we plan bring us closer, if only for a while, both to the deceased and to our own grief. It’s an opportunity to collectively grieve – and continue to process of integrating the loss into our lives. When we no longer need such support, it’s natural for us to let go of the ritual. In other words; the “how” of acknowledging the death anniversary changes; over time, it may become little more than a passing thought. It doesn’t have to be, though.

Some Low-Key Ideas to Celebrate a Death Anniversary

It’s interesting to note those living in the U.K. don’t celebrate the date of a loved one’s death; it’s just not in their cultural spectrum of grief-related activities (source). As human beings living in society, we are truly culture-bound. Still, here in the U.S., there’s a lot of focus (online anyway) about such celebratory events. If you, like me (and my sons), feel the intensity of the need to acknowledge the death anniversary of a loved one diminishing; you don’t have to give the practice up altogether. Just “change it up” a bit. Here are a few ideas:

Invite family and/or friends over to share a meal, made up of at least some of the deceased’s favorite foods. Ask guests to bring any photos, along with the stories to go with them.

I don’t know if a float trip is considered low key, but one of our friends plans a memorial float trip in memory of her brother. They’ve been doing it for years now and now as the family grows, his spirit lives on.

Attend a sporting or cultural event; one which would set your loved one’s heart ablaze.
Light a candle in their memory.
Listen to their favorite music or watch on of your loved one’s favorite films.
Compile photos into an album. It’s easier, of course, if they’re digital photos – you can use an online service to compile and print the finished tribute.
Bring family and friends together to create a memorial garden. (If the idea appeals, check out DIY Memorials: Planning a Loved One’s Memorial Garden.”)
Donate to–or better yet, volunteer with – a cause close to your loved one’s heart.

There Will Come a Time When…

As you naturally move through grief, you’ll find your focus not on your loved one’s death, but on their life. When that happens, it makes sense to shift your attention instead on your loved one’s birthday. This positive focus can bring you and your loved one’s other survivors a great deal of happiness; a delightful (and necessary) change from the sorrow integral in death anniversary celebrations.