An hourglass is one of the oldest portable devices used for measuring time. Traditionally, an hourglass is filled with sand that falls from one bulb of glass into another over exactly one hour of time. Susan Fraser, CEO of In the Light Urns, decided to take the concept of an hourglass and apply it as an urn. This unique spin on the traditional hour glass is a special way to…
After having their loved ones cremated, most people choose to do one of three things: bury the urn with the remains, keep the remains stored at home, or scatter the remains at a memorable location. Scattering ashes is a great way to have a final form of release with your loved one. Did they enjoy hiking at particular location? Were they avid ocean lovers? These factors can determine where a…
A typical cremation in the United States is done in a crematorium. The body of the deceased is handed over to a crematorium, and a team of professionals prepare and cremate the body. All that remains of the body are ashes–called cremains–that are stored in a receptacle, commonly an urn. The family of the departed typically store the remains at home, bury them, or scatter them at a memorable location.…
In 2011, 42 percent of Americans who died were cremated. That’s double the amount of cremations than just over a decade before then. In 2013, that number rose to 45.1 percent and is projected to be as high as 70 percent by year 2030! Why is cremation on the rise? In 1963, the Catholic Church removed its ban on cremation, and moved to accept it as a religiously reasonable form…
When facing death, the thought of being placed in a box to be left in the ground to slowly decay may not sit well with you. Unfortunately, everybody will face death sooner or later, and how you plan to deal with it can carry a lasting effect on yourself and your loved ones. Talk about death with your friends and family Don’t be afraid to talk with your loved ones…
With attitudes shifting against traditional burials toward more cost effective, alternative methods of death rites, such as cremation, it makes sense that new methods continue to develop. One method that is slowly beginning to grow in interest is resomation. What is resomation? Similar to cremation, resomation uses heat to break down the body, but unlike cremation it doesn’t use fire; resomation uses water. The body is placed in a tank…
It’s tempting to think of cremation as a modern concept because it hasn’t been popular in the United States until the last couple of decades. However, cremation, in form or another goes back thousands of years as an viable means of disposing of the dead. Archaeological evidence reveals that cremations were used in 3000 B.C., and some evidence in Chinese archeological sites even points as far back as 8000 B.C.…
Today, we live in a world with advanced medical technology and practices that can treat many illnesses and injuries, keeping people alive longer with a better quality of life. This is largely due to the profound knowledge experts have on the human body and the afflictions that can harm it. Such extensive knowledge of the human body is partly possible because of body donations. Donating a body for scientific and…
Many people these days are choosing cremation as the means to put the dead to rest. Cremations are now chosen over burials for over 45 percent of deaths in the United States. This is in part due to the removal of most religious stigma against cremation. Only a couple of decades ago, cremation was barely considered, but after the Catholic Church removed their ban on cremation in the 60s, the…
Nobody likes to think about what will happen when they or their loved ones pass away, especially when finances are tight. Traditional funerals often cost thousands of dollars, which puts many individuals in an uncomfortable position when discussing or planning funeral arrangements. In fact, many Americans are struggling financially to the point that they leave the bodies of their loved ones at funeral homes or coroner’s offices out of fear…
Budgeting for cremation or funeral may be the last thing you want to spend time and money on, especially if you or anyone in your family doesn’t appear to be ill or at risk for passing away anytime soon. While planning ahead for cremation or funeral costs may seem distasteful or eerie to some, the process can actually help your family members to a great extent financially in the event…
Cremation is a relatively new way to say goodbye to your loved one, especially considering funerals have been the traditional way to honor and memorialize loved ones for the last hundreds of years around the globe. Today, cremation is considered the most eco-friendly and economical way to place your loved one’s body at rest, which is partly why many Americans now prefer this practice over the traditional funeral. Do your…
Over 55 million people pass away each year on a global scale. Considering this number can have an adverse impact on the environment if people go the traditional route of burial, having a green, eco-friendly cremation or burial is an ideal way to lower the impact our bodies have on the earth’s resources. While death and dying can be difficult topics to consider and discuss prematurely, making plans now for…
As people become more environmentally aware, cremation and eco-friendly burial options are continuing to multiply across the US and the rest of the world. Artists and environmentalists are starting to embrace the cycle of nature, and are developing products that allow families to turn the cremains of their loved ones into trees. Take a look at the following new ways to convert your loved one’s ashes into a tree that…
If you or your loved one have gold teeth or gold cavity fillings, you may be curious about whether it’s possible to have gold teeth extracted before the cremation process. If your loved one has gold teeth, you may be interested in holding on to them for remembrance purposes, or in having the gold melted and reshaped into jewelry or another keepsake. Or perhaps, you want to trade gold teeth…