Memorial Service Ideas

Memorial Tattoos As An Art Form

May 22, 2011 urngarden.com

vintage forget me not postcard

Ink has become so mainstream that now it seems that if you don’t have a tat, you’re in the minority. One trend we’ve seen is the memorial tattoo. So many personal styles, we like to collect them as an art form.

A couple of local examples:

My nephew got one to honor the grandmother who payed for piano and guitar lessons. The music has stayed with him his entire life and he wanted to honor her legacy.

My tree trimmer who got a tree of life inked to remember his brother who was also a tree trimmer, they worked together as a team for many years. His brother has been gone a long time, this tattoo was done shortly after his passing and needs to be touched up according to the owner.

faded memorial tattoo

And full-on canvas covering back piece to as a Vietnam war memorial:

memorial tattoo, full back tat

In Ohio, Travis Green wears a vial of his father’s ashes. Literally! In addition to the container that Travis wears around his neck, Travis got a memorial tattoo with his father’s ashes in the ink. Father and son had discussed this before his father’s death.

Whatever you decide on, remember this: It’s a commitment.

Here’s The Thing About Cremation Jewelry

May 10, 2011 urngarden.com

Cremation jewelry is not for everyone. It’s such a personal choice that you either love the idea, or….not so much. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of wearing their loved ones ashes, even a trace amount, around their neck. Keeping it close to the heart? Not going to happen. The idea of splitting up the ashes, sharing them, scattering them is unthinkable and in a way, a desecration the body. The Catholic church thinks so, even though cremation is allowed.

Then there are families who cherish the idea of remembrance jewelry and keepsake urns will order several pieces for family members. While planning a memorial service, one East Coast family invited not only family, but many of the daughters’ friends to order jewelry urn pendants if they wanted some of her ashes.

Cremation Pendants have to be worn with care and certain skin types may not agree with the metals. It’s NOT a good idea to wear your urn necklace to the gym, like one lady did, and then was upset because she lost it.

With so many choices of urn pendants available, if the family likes the idea of creating a memorial with jewelry then why not? The pendant styles are attractive and discreet, so if you don’t want anyone to know, you’re good to go.

We’re still in love with the dogwood urn pendant, so pretty and perfect for this time of year.

Heart Urn Necklace

February 12, 2011 urngarden.com

indian vintage valentine

Tis the season for symbols of love and if you are looking for memorial jewelry that honors a lost love then check out our cremation pendants that are actually mini urns. In times of death and mourning, hearts symbolize an individual’s love and affection for a person who passed away. It’s no surprise then that heart urn necklaces are a popular type of cremation jewelry. Besides being discreet, they bring comfort and healing to those grieving.

Heart urn necklaces are like other pieces of cremation jewelry. They are made from the same materials as traditional necklaces. Each urn holds a small portion of cremated remains, petals from funeral flowers or a lock of hair. They come in a variety of styles including lockets, floating pendants, heart and key designs and more.

But often times, a heart necklace also symbolizes the unbreakable connection between two or more people because the heart is the center of a person’s body and soul. Religiously, hearts represent the center of being, and one may think of Jesus and his Sacred Heart.

More than the heart design itself, ladies who wear this type of jewelry often are comforted with the thought that their loved one is near. What better place to keep a loved one’s memory than around your neck and close to your heart.

Affordable urn jewelry that’s discreet and meaningful. For more cremation pendants and memorial rings inspired by the classic sign of love visit Urn Garden to see our selection of heart-shaped urn pendants to wear as an urn necklace or bracelet charm.

Custom Engraved Marble Cremation Urn

January 26, 2011 urngarden.com

Truth and Friendship blue marble cremation urn is crafted from the ancient stone Lapis Lazuli. Lapis features deep shades of blue dusted with golden flecks of pyrite and sprinkles of gray or white calcite deposits and takes an excellent polish that shimmers like a star. This stone was a favorite with the ancient Egyptians who crafted it for jewelry, and used the crushed minerals for eye shadow.

Urn Garden customers often choose to have this memorial urn engraved with images of hummingbirds, deer, or other nature scenes along with personalizing the urn with name, dates, or a brief sentiment.

Urn engraving is always a good idea if time permits. A good engraver does not like to be rushed and depending on the work load urn engraving can take a couple of extra days to process. The client should be available to approve a proof via email before production begins.

Make it personal and mark the urn for life and keep it in a safe secure location.

What to Wear to a Funeral pt. 2

January 15, 2011 urngarden.com

People want to know what to wear to a funeral. In today’s society, almost anything goes. Within reason, which we’ve covered before.

Male or female, usually, you can’t go wrong with something black. With a collar. And a shirt that that buttons up. Not a Metallica t-shirt, unless it honors the deceased. You’re going to this affair to pay respect, dress accordingly.

Here in the Midwest, I’ve seen everything except overalls at the memorial service. Men tend to wear a jacket and slacks. Ladies, skirts or office attire. We’re celebrating the life now and I’ve seen a red and white polka-dot dress on the widow. (Not recommended) Jeans and leather at the biker funeral.

If you are going to the cemetery, dress for the weather. Wear sturdy shoes. Heels are not recommended. The last grave side service I attended was watery grave conditions. Whipping winds and soggy conditions. The funeral home had to put down sheets of plywood to get to the grave with out sinking in the soggy bottom.

If I know the deceased’s favorite color and it seems appropriate I might wear that with a black skirt and black hose. My favorite color combo is blue and black and I have a couple of funeral uniforms that I can pull together in a hurry. My grandmother (RIP) gave me a ruby ring (her birthstone) that I like to wear.

From time to time, the world of fashion casts its eye on the funeral and Pat McNally has done an interesting piece on funeral fashion.

Just remember to focus on the grieving family, not what you’re wearing. Follow us on Pinterest to see our collection of funeral couture.