Memorial Service Ideas

Urns for Sale: Winter White Collection

January 10, 2017 urngarden.com

White shines bright in the garden this month as we spotlight urns with clean classic designs. In some cultures white is the deepest color of mourning as opposed to the Western world’s preference for black. Most of the urns in this collection are metal and feature elegant shapes and soft shades of white.

The White Pearl urn gives an iridescent glow the contrasts with the reflective silver trim and carved band and looks great engraved with names, dates, or a brief sentiment if desired. This style comes in several different sizes depending on your needs. Throughout history white has symbolized innocence, honesty, good, and perfection. White could also be incorporated into the memorial service with scented white candles with calming fragrances like coconut, vanilla, or baby powder. Winter white flowers to represent a January birth date are the snowdrop and carnation.

One of our most popular styles is the affordable Elegant White cremation urn available in both adult full size and matching mini. This style engraves well and we can the laser to add names, angel wings, dates, or a verse on the large one if desired.

Cardinal cremation urn for ashes — Cardinal Adult Cremation Urn

Another family favorite for all the seasons, is the Cardinal Urn. This style pays homage to my grandmother, who is crazy for birds and her motto is: if you love it, put a bird on it! The cardinal urn is snow white with a beautifully hand painted red bird sitting on a dogwood branch. Both the bird and the dogwood have spiritual connotations as well. Pendants in the shape of a dogwood flower are available if you are shopping for cremation jewelry.

The White Heart urn is a medium size with attractive hand tooled details. This style opens from the bottom to store the ashes. This would be for families that are going to divide the cremains, or use for a child or pet and can even be engraved and shows well against a crisp white background.

Paw print heart urn for pets

There are even smaller urns available in mini sizes, many of which match the adult size. Need help sorting it all out?

Death of a Co-Worker, Memorial Ideas

October 6, 2016 urngarden.com

When a coworker dies the whole dynamic at the workplace is changed. The family is grieving, but so are your brothers and sisters in the office or workplace. This can be a difficult and challenging time. Former co-workers at my old employer are dealing with this now.

A beloved coworker was killed riding to work on his bicycle. Several years ago we wrote about ghost bike memorials and said we hoped we never saw one in our town. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon to see one now and the bike riding community erected a ghost bike where this young man was killed. It’s a touching way to remember the rider and draw attention to sharing the road.

If you have a work place tragedy and are dealing with the death of a colleague you may want to help but don’t know where to start. Here’s a few tips:

Appoint a Company Representative

This will be the point person to establish contact with the family and will help to streamline communications and organize efforts to assist the immediate family. Cards with remembrances are always appreciated and may even bring a smile during a dark time.

Take Up a Collection.

One of the employees in the story above set up a Go Fund Me account to help the widow and her two small children with the unexpected expenses. Cash can be one of the greatest gifts during this difficult time.

We’ve worked with companies that established an on-site memorial for a deceased co-worker. A memorial stone with the name of the employee is a good way to always remember the departed and is often placed in an outdoor courtyard, on a path, or near a tree or bush planted on the grounds in memory of that person.

Personalized stones can take several weeks to produce, so don’t plan a memorial service for the placement of the stone until you have a good idea of the lead time and when you could expect it.

Click the graphic below for more ideas on gift ideas for the grieving.

Urn Garden Identifies 10 Funeral Flowers and What They Mean

March 25, 2016 urngarden.com

UrnGardenFlower

Urn Garden identifies 10 popular funeral flowers, and the meaning behind them.

Flowers have the ability to convey a certain significance that words, cards, or gifts can not. That sentiment is perhaps elevated when it comes to a funeral. Knowing the importance behind such a gesture can make choosing a flower for such an occasion an overwhelming process. But it doesn’t have to be; we at Urn Garden explain.

The thing to keep in mind is that you want the flower to reflect the relationship you had with the person. Was the deceased the love of your life? A good friend? Neighbor? Co-worker, perhaps? There can be a different flower for each relationship. That’s why we at Urn Garden have identified 10 flowers suitable for such an occasion and the meanings behind them.

Lilies

A symbol of purity and innocence, the Lily is perhaps the most popular funeral flower. The suggestion here is that the soul of the deceased has returned to a peaceful state.

Roses

With its many symbolizations – love, spirituality, purity and innocence – the rose is another common funeral flower. The specific symbol or meaning, however, is determined by the color of the rose. The classic red is a symbol of grief and love. Yellow is used to show a bond shared between friends. And pink is used to express thankfulness. Urn Garden also offers – if you should decide cremation is right for you and your family – an Irish Rose Cremation Urn, which could help express the same sentiment.

Orchid

While the color of the orchid may vary, the meaning of the flower does not. It’s universally recognized that the orchid symbolizes an enduring and everlasting love.

Carnations

Often used in funeral wreaths, the carnation comes in many different colors. As such, the flower has many different meanings – not so unlike a rose. Red shows admiration, and tends to symbolize innocence. White shows innocence and pure love. And pink shows remembrance. Additionally, Urn Garden offers an array of memorial gifts, which could help express the significance you’re looking for.

Hydrangea

The hydrangea isn’t all that commonly used as a funeral flower. Perhaps it’s for that reason that the meaning isn’t one that is universally recognized. It is suspected, however, that the flower symbolizes true heartfelt emotions.

Tulips

Tulips are another flower that offer a number of meanings and symbols with its different colors. Red is usually used to symbolize perfect love, whereas white is typically a symbol for forgiveness or worthiness. Furthermore, Urn Garden provides a wide variety of cremation jewelry, which could perhaps betters portray the sentiment you are seeking (again, if you should decide cremation is right for you).

Violets

While violets aren’t often used in funerals, they do have a deep significance when it comes to symbolization: delicacy and modesty. Purple is a popular color in cremation urns and the purple Iris flower is a theme that families often choose.

Chrysanthemums (“Mums”)

This flower, often referred to as a “Mum”, has a different meaning and symbolization depending on what part of the world you’re in. In the United States, for example, this flower symbolizes truth. However, in much of the rest of the world, including Europe and many Asian cultures, white mums are used to signify death, mourning, and grief. Urn Garden also offers a Nike Goddess of Victory and Truth Cremation Urn, which could help express the same sentiment.

Hyacinths

Hyacinths are often used to add a pleasant aroma to the flower arrangements at a funeral. But if it’s a gesture to the deceased you’re using them for, the flower is known to represent a deep sorrow.

Forget-Me-Nots

forget me not Not unlike its name, the Forget-Me-Nots symbolize faithful love, memories, and remembrance – suggesting that the deceased will live on in the memories of the person giving the flower. Urn Garden also offers a number of memorial stones, which would be another option to portray the significance you are looking for.

Funeral Flowers Wrapped up

When it comes to choosing a flower for a funeral there’s no shortage of options. And while there are plenty of flowers to choose from, determining what type of flower to get ultimately comes down to what kind of relationship you had with the person. Reflect on that, and you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect flower to honor your lost loved one.

Urn Garden Flower Alternatives

While there are many flowers with many symbolizations and meanings to help convey a relationship, a flower still may not be right for you. In that case, Urn Garden offers an abundance of other items that can fill that void. With memorial gifts such as dedication stones, engraved dog tags, and more – not to mention our surplus of cremation urns and cremation jewelry – we feel confident telling you that we’ll have the item to accurately represent your relationship with a deceased loved one.

Visit our website today for more information on funeral flowers, memorial gifts, cremation urns and more.

(All information regarding flowing meanings or symbolizations retrieved from everplans.com)

5 Ways to Use Memorial Stones

January 15, 2016 urngarden.com

5 Ways to Use Memorial Stones When a loved one dies, it is becoming more commonplace to place a memorial stone in her honor. It is a personal yet comforting reminder that she now lives in the hearts of her family and friends. Memorial stones are made from resin, hand-cast stone or concrete. Depending on where you live, resin stones and statuary may need to be sheltered during certain seasons as extreme heat or cold might cause damage. Concrete is waterproof and durable and can stand up to even the harshest weather and last for many years. If needed, personalized monuments can easily be touched up with masonry paint if fading occurs over time.

Five Ways to Use Memorial Stones
If you are thinking of placing a memorial stone in memory of a loved one who died, there are several ways in which to do this so others can share their sentiments too.

1. Tree and plant dedication: If you are holding a special tree planting as part of a living memorial, you can add a dedication stone identifying and paying tribute to your loved one.

2. Sacred space: Dedicating a special place such as a spot in your backyard can be deemed a sacred space. It needn’t be associated with religion. This space, where a lovely memorial stone can be placed, is simply an area worth of dedication or respect.

3. Park: Since parks are public places, memorial stones are typically placed in them when a tree, bench or plant is dedicated to a public figure or notable resident.

4. Office or workplace: Some places of employment dedicate a room, building, courtyard, or other spot with a memorial stone or plaque typically in honor of a founder, long-time employee or someone in a leading role passes away.

5. Garden memorial: This is probably one of the most traditional ways to honor someone at home. You can place a memorial stone in a garden filled with your loved one’s favorite plants, trees or other types of garden décor.

How to Plan a Meaningful Memorial Service

January 6, 2016 urngarden.com

Components of a Memorial Service

By taking time to plan a memorial service, you cannot only make it unique but a lasting tribute to your loved one. Your funeral professional is trained to help families create a meaningful moment and you can help by clearly communicating your vision. Ideas to help you plan a service include:

• Choosing a special location: Memorial services do not need to be set in a church or other traditional setting like the funeral home. More and more families are moving the ceremony off site. Other settings include a park, sports field, beach, art gallery, golf course or another place that was special to your loved one.

• Selecting a time and date: A memorial service can be held any time after your loved one dies. Expect some guests to come in from out of town, so make sure to choose your date accordingly. If you expect several guests to be traveling, it might be a good idea to reserve a block of rooms. Sometimes discounts are available, and the hotel might even have a meeting room that you could use for your gathering with snacks and beverages available.

• Choosing a theme: The personalized theme allows family and friends to focus on their loved one and remember the important things about his life. For instance, if he or she were in the military, you can showcase photos, uniforms, medals and commendations. Ask friends and family to bring mementos, photos, or memories that can be shared.

Sharing personal readings and music: Make the ceremony memorable by choosing songs and readings that your loved one enjoyed such as Biblical scripture, poetry, classical music or even jazz. Have attendees read meaningful passages, sing or play songs, or say a few words to eulogize the deceased.

• Displaying photographs: While this may be one of the most common memorial service ideas, it can also be one of the most unique and moving. Displaying pictures on poster boards are a good idea as is a video montage set to music. Often the funeral home can help with this task and make copies for friends and families. Although it can be an emotional and time consuming experience to sift through the photographs to find the perfect ones to use for the service, it can also be healing and good for the spirit.

Flowers, candles, and comfort foods are added elements that can add a personal touch.