Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

memorial ideas

Dust in the Wind: Scattering Ashes Ceremony

The most common method of scattering ashes is known as “casting” , which is basically tossing the ashes into the wind.  Let’s talk about the WIND.  Consider wind direction and try to cast down to prevent “blow-back”.  The dense nature of human ashes combined with a fine powder forms a whitish-gray cloud when it becomes airborne.

Some families want to release the ashes all at once, and others want to spread the ashes as a group, each member taking a turn scattering the remains.

This family opted to split the ashes in individual envelopes, some DIY-ers use paper cups.   Your family funeral director can make this process much easier if you need assistance or have questions regarding this process.

Scattering tubes and biodegradable scattering urns are also available.

urns for scattering ashes

Adrienne Shelly Memorial Garden

After several years of planning, a Memorial Garden will be dedicated in Abingdon Square Park in New York City, to the memory of Adrienne Shelly, who was killed in 2006.

“This has been a long but very satisfying journey to honor my late wife in the park she loved so much, across from the building in which she lived for many years, worked and died.” said Shelly’s husband, Andy Ostroy,who helped design the memorial garden.

Ostroy chose to stock the plot with Nikko blue hydrangeas (symbolizing understanding)

Obedience, hardy and tolerant of clay soil. Symbolizes graciousness and strength.

Liatris, also known as Blazing Star, symbolizes love.

Campanula, also known as the Bellflower symbolizes gratitude.

and Nepeta, also known as catnip, is lemon-scented with heart-shaped leaves.

Shelly’s memorial garden will be dedicated with a memorial plaque on Aug. 3.

Founded in 1836, and re-opened in 2004, Abingdon Square Park is a tiny, luscious triangle in Greenwich Village. According to neighbors, the park seems almost holy, like a sacrament in the summertime.

The park is dominated by the bronze statue of a soldier holding a flag, the Abingdon “Doughboy,” was designed to “honor the brave men who went forth from this neighborhood to join the armed forces of the United States during the World War.”

Planning a memorial garden or tree dedication? Check out our memorial stones.

Calling All Angels: Adenhart Memorial

Angel’s fans have rallied to honor the memory of Nick Adenhart, the rookie who was killed by a drunk driver earlier this year, on April 9, just hours after he pitched at Anaheim Stadium.

Fans have placed caps, homemade signs, personal messages and stuffed Rally Monkeys to honor Adenhart at the stadium and the “touching” memorial is still in place.

Who Loves Raku? I Do!

 

We just picked up some new Raku pottery pieces that we’re slowly adding to the site.

raku urns

Raku is a Japanese style and the name means “joy” and that’s exactly what you get when you take one look at these gorgeous vessels. One of the things that makes this style of pottery special, is that the firing process literally creates a trash to treasure effect.  It’s not uncommon for potters to remove the vessel from the kiln and then put it in a garbage can surrounded by bits of wire, wood, and other combustibles. After the flame is lit, that’s when the magic happens. The fire and smoke create the beauty.

raku urns for sale

Celtic urns are a popular choice for a memorial, and this one of a kind art piece uses copper glazes and features a hand-carved Celtic knot emblem on the urn.

The sad thing about these urns, is that the pictures don’t do them justice.  They are much more attractive than depicted here and if you see one you like, don’t hesitate, as several customers have called when they were ready to buy, only to discover that the urn had already sold. The good news is, we can make another one. Maybe not the exact urn you saw earlier, but close and maybe even better!

 

urns for ashes

Heart Keepsake Urns

Several clients have requested that we carry the metal heart keepsake urns.  We’ve just added them to our inventory and have several styles available.

The heart keepsake urns are designed to hold a small portion of ash, lock of hair or other small memento. The hearts load from the bottom and are secured with a threaded stopper.

This style is ideal for families or friends that want to create a small memorial that can easily be stored and is discreet. Many of our keepsake urns have matching adult urns.