Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

You are here: Home / Home

Surfs Up-Paddle Out Memorial

According to Darren Crouch of Passages International, 40% of cremation families plan to scatter the ashes. 70% of those cremation families plan to scatter the ashes over water.

We’ve talked to several families this past week, mostly from California, who have planned this style of ceremony. Often families don’t think they’ll need an urn for this method of memorialization. The truth is, that an urn will simplify the process and eliminate the chance of “blow back“. There are a couple of urn options suitable for water burial that are environmentally friendly, attractive and designed to float for a few minutes and then gracefully sink in the water. One of the nice qualities about these urns is the fact that they are made from recycled paper and molded into the shape of a shell or a pillow style vessel.

biodegradable shell urn

Some of these families plan to scatter ashes from a boat, or have organized memorial paddle-outs, a traditional Hawaiian good-bye for departed Polynesian kings. Often, flowers, wreaths, rose petals, or leis are cast out after the ashes are in the water.

scattering ashes ceremony

The Pear Blossom

For families that plan to keep the urn in the home or stored safely in a niche at the cemetery, the Pear Blossom Cremation Urn is a beautiful resting place for your loved one. Soothing sage green and snowy white pear blossoms speak Spring and renewal. Wisdom and Hope.

Pear blossom cloisonne funeral urn
Pear Blossom Urn

Incorporating a simple floral design and calming colors with the ancient art form invented by the French and perfected by the Chinese, Cloisonne is a statement of Strength and Beauty. Our urns are handcrafted and constructed from brass, copper, and colored enamel, fired in a kiln, and gilded. As a result of this painstaking process, every cloisonne urn is a beautiful, durable and unique work of art.

Time is of the Essence

vintage postcard

As difficult and harsh as the weather’s been lately, the beauty of spring is beginning to emerge. Buds on the trees, greening of the grass, birds returning to the garden.

Mr. Davis shared these predictions for the future from a 1968 Mechanixs Illustrated mag:

People have more time for leisure activities in the year 2008. The average work day is about four hours. But the extra time isn’t totally free. The pace of technological advance is such that a certain amount of a jobholder’s spare time is used in keeping up with the new developments – on the average, about two hours of home study a day.

Home study? Yes. Leisure time? NO. More please.

So we get it where we can. Miss CK NY’s post brought a tear, as well as Mr. Goddard’s “Ahead of the Curve” in Georgia about catching those little waves.

Finally, condolences to our neighbor to the South, the Bus Driver on the loss of his mom. Health wise, it’s been a difficult year for Mary Lou and her son Jim has been paying tribute to his Mother on his blog.

And on her final gift:

This morning, at 5:50 am, Mom left this earthly life. She specifically directed her mortal remains be given to Mid American Transplant Service and what could not be harvested, be used for research. What is left is to be cremated and placed with our Dad’s cremains in their plot the National Cemetery at Glenstone and Seminole.

I’ll always remember my sweet Etta Mae’s words: “Honey, after 80, it’s all downhill. EVERYTHING falls apart.”

Etta Mae Aulick

Today’s tip: DO IT NOW

Bon Voyage: Memorial Service at Sea

One of our families is planning a memorial service to be held on a cruise. The widower cleared it with the cruise line and explained that they’d like to scatter the ashes at sea. No problem, the urn just needs to be biodegradable.

The Journey biodegradable urn will work perfectly for a sea burial.

sea burial urns

Thank you Princess Cruise Line for the referral.