Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

Memorial Service Ideas

Goodbye Nelda Pt. 2

vintage postcard
Funeral Report from PA:

The flowers were beautiful and the service was very nice..Nelda had asked the minister to do the service when Pauline’s mother died , she had picked the Legion and the caterer so most of it was done….there were 75 or more there and they stayed for the lunch and for about 3 hours after.. I have discovered an upside to cremation …you can bring the person home with you and that seems to make it easier somehow…Matt (Nelda’s grandson) gave a short eulogy and there was not a dry eye in the house as they say…he turned out to be the perfect choice…Nelda would have been so proud of the turnout….she always worried that she had no friends…..love to all in MO…..d

To my knowledge, Nelda is the first member of our family to be cremated. And for sure the first one to reside in the home AFTER the funeral. The plan is to scatter her ashes at a later date.

Freaky Friday

vintage valentine

What a week! And Friday topped it!

I had an appointment with a local client who wanted to see some items for her pet. On the way to the meeting, the phone rang and a friend of the client introduced herself as “J” and stated that she would be acting as a representative for the client. Long story short: the client had passed away the night before. She was 46.

Well, that was kind of odd.

Frankly I was a wee bit nervous, the client had special ordered several styles of our pet urns.

J was only interested in one item.

pet urn jewelry

The day before she died, client told J about our meeting and how special the necklace was and that when she died she could be buried with her “baby” close to her heart.

J found my number on her friend’s cell phone noted as “urn lady”.

Next: We pack up the urn for my grandmother.

Blue Cremation Urn

Dad sat in my living area used the laptop to pick out the urn.

Very courageous. As a retired firefighter from one of the busiest firehouses in the nation, he’s not exactly an advocate of cremation.In the car on the way to lunch, I asked my dad how he would eulogize his mother.

Silence.

Music UP: “I Did It My Way”.

Green Theme Funeral Urns

Greetings from the deep blue sea! Every magazine I’ve picked up lately has a “green” theme, and more press releases touting the green burial movement, so we were inspired to amp up the biodegradable urn line.

Naturally, we’re dreaming of somewhere tropical right now, so we started work on the water burial urns.
sea burial urns

Articles for families considering spreading ashes on land or sea, or perhaps planning an ash scattering ceremony can be found here.

We’ve noticed heavier traffic for families searching for outdoor themed urns, specifically hunting and fishing. Funeral homes might consider grouping urns by hobbies, interest and style if you aren’t already.

biodegradable urn

The Rhythm of the Breath

christmas postcard

Nutty week in the garden: Friday Yoga was a gift. The best. My teacher has introduced a style of seamless breathing that helps quiet the mind and relax the body. I find myself using it when I start to feel anxious. Usually I picture a figure eight as I concentrate on a smooth inhale and exhalation. Today, as we focused on the breath, this image came to my mind.

cremation urn jewelry

I used the shape of the Infinity urn pendant to guide my breath. Sounds crazy, but today my mind was unusually active. I decided I must have this urn necklace in gold. Not to use as an urn, but to remind me to breathe.
Today’s tip for better living: Stretch your side body!

The Season of Firsts

christmas postcard

For our friends and families that have suffered a loss this past year, this can be an uneasy time of year. This will be the season of “firsts”. Holidays and family celebrations without the loved one there. This might be a good time to consider starting a new family tradition or creating a meaningful ritual in the loved one’s honor. Adopting a less fortunate family, a toy drive, or donation to your local food pantry in your loved one’s name.

The holidays at my grandparents was always a boisterous affair. Music throughout the house, Grandpa’s booming voice and the tinkle of ice in his always present Manhattan. That first Christmas after he passed, the house seemed unnaturally quiet.
CK’s post on X-Mas Still Comes Early is a touching example of the loss felt during the holiday season and she has created a loving video tribute to her mother.

Earlier this week we spoke to a mother who had lost her son in a tragic accident in New York back in November, who called to say the urn she ordered was perfect and was complimented by a piece of her artwork her son had carried across the world.

Thanksgiving was difficult and they are switching things up this year, it’s just too painful to try continue the same traditions. In her words, “I just can’t do the stocking thing this year.”

Rather than have the family Christmas at home this year, they will go to their other son’s home and then have trips planned abroad after the holidays. She wants a change of scenery and feels her husband would benefit as well.

The hardest part? To keep moving. Finding the strength to get up, push on and stay busy.