Timeless Symbols of Protection:

In many cultures, the horn is believed to be the symbol of life and eternity. In ancient Italy the horn charm or amulet was worn in as protection against evil spirits and has also been linked to Celtic and Druid myths and beliefs. In pre-Christian Europe, animal horns pointed to the moon goddess and were considered sacred.

Italian Horn Urn Jewelry

The Italian Horn urn necklace is available in sterling silver, 14K gold. Comes with silk cord.

The fish symbol is representative of the Christian faith and has ancient roots in the Celtic and Druid culture. This discreet urn pendant holds a trace amount of ash, flowers, hair, or other small memento. Available in sterling silver and 14K gold.

Ithicus Fish Urn Jewelry

Our continuing interview with Deena Pulaski of Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory in La Porte, Indiana.

Deena says education of her client families has been a big aspect of the business. “We see more price shoppers now, many families are not aware of the options available, and it’s our job to educate them. They don’t realize that with cremation, they can have a viewing and visitation, and will often choose that type of service when offered.”

Trends: Many families are opting to keep the ashes in the home. When Deena asks the families if they’ve considered arrangements for guardianship later, the families often don’t know what they are going to do.

“We’re just trying to avoid future scenarios when the super bargain hunter arrives at the funeral home with an estate sale treasure….filled with ashes.”

Since La Porte is near many waterways, Deena fields requests from families that are interested in scattering the ashes over water. “I always recommend that they consider a water soluable urn. We’ve had several incidents of the plastic temporary urns that have been tossed over the side of the boat, later wash up on shore.”

Three urns found at a Goodwill store in Seattle. Someone’s pets perhaps?

A Goodwill spokeswoman called the discovery of the urns “disturbing and sad.”

Fall is an excellent time to plant a tree as a living memorial for a loved one. Even apartment dwellers can adopt and beautify a blighted urban area or possibly a park area. (Contact local officials in your area) We’ve assisted many schools that have planned tree planting memorials for students and faculty.

Depending on the zone you live in Fall planting is best in mild climates. Weather conditions are cool and allow plants to establish roots in the new location before spring rains and summer heat stimulate new top growth.

A popular choice for a memorial planting is the Weeping Cherry tree. These stunning ornamental trees are generally pest and disease resistant and don’t require a lot of pruning. Pair your new planting with a memorial stone and you’ll have created a beautiful living tribute to honor your loved one.

Examples of memorial stones that some of our families have chosen:

This style is one of the most popular and can be personalized with artwork and a custom message.

The heart-shaped memorial stones are an inexpensive option: Less than $40.00

The river rock garden stones also do well and can be personalized with custom message and artwork.

All of our stones can sustain harsh winters and usually ship within a week after ordering.

Thank you for letting us serve you.

Via Post Secret

Claire Rudholm

My friend Kristen sent me the beautiful story of Claire Rudholm, also known as Tara, who passed away in 2004. After a stage-4 cancer diagnosis she was given ‘weeks to months’ to live, she was only 33. Tara expressed a desire to return to southern India to the Sivananda ashram where she had lived and worked as a karma yogi. She requested a full traditional Hindu cremation, and that her remains be spread along the holy Ganges river. Through email and snapshots, Tara’s friends documented the 5- 1/2 weeks in the ashram, her death, cremation, and a little bit about the ceremonies that followed. It’s a very touching and beautiful send-off.

Tara's Last Journey

Wheel of Life

Bloomington, IN.

Thubten J. Norbu, a former Indiana University professor and the oldest brother of the Dalai Lama, died Sept. 9, 2008 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Norbu was regarded as a reincarnated saint. As mourners filed into his room dropping blue,yellow, and white silk blessing scarves at his feet, Norbu was positioned upright in his bed, seated in the lotus position and adorned with an ornate Buddhist head dress. Amid a fog of incense, eight robed monks sat along a wall chanting Tibetan prayers, clanging cymbals and ringing bells — all aimed at helping him along his journey to rebirth.

Thubten J. Norbu’s cremation Thursday, Sept. 11 was the first of its kind in the state of Indiana after getting approval from Gov. Mitch Daniels. Indiana Law requires that cremation be preformed by a licensed crematory, but Gov. Mitch Daniels gave the family authorization to build a funeral pyre to perform this traditional ceremony.

Workers in Bloomington prepared the pyre for Norbu’s cremation

Norbu’s passing has prompted prayer vigils in Tibet, India, Russia, Mongolia and Europe, among other places. In Dharamsala, India, the Tibetan government-in-exile shut down the day the news of his death was announced.

The family plans to use the ashes of Thubten J. Norbu to create statues the family can use as remembrance.

Source and images via

The Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Westwood, California is full of dead celebrities, but surprisingly, several stars are buried in unmarked graves.

Frank Zappa died from prostate cancer in 1993 and is located in Westwood Memorial park Section D, plot #100.

George C. Scott died on September 22, 1999 at the age of 71 from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm and is buried in an unmarked grave next to Walter Mattheau. Musing upon fame and death, Scott said, “Funny, isn’t it? One minute you’re standing in the wings. Next minute, you’re wearing them.”

Roy Orbison died in 1988 from a heart attack and is located at plot #97, unmarked, also in Westwood.

Florence Lawrence

Florence Lawrence, who appeared in almost 300 films and is considered to be Hollywood’s first movie star, rested in an unmarked grave at Hollywood Forever Cemetery for decades before actor Roddy McDowell purchased a marker for her grave. She was severely burned in a studio fire in 1915 while trying to rescue a fellow performer. After she recovered from her injuries, work was harder to find. Lawrence killed herself in 1938 by taking a dose of poison.

Memorial Stone

It’s never too late too plant a tree or place a personalized garden stone in your loved one’s honor. Even if you are scattering ashes, adding a discreet memorial stone and creating a sacred space to remember can be beneficial for the survivors.

Thank you for letting us serve you.

georgecarlin.com

Earlier in July, Carlin’s daughter Kelly and his brother, Patrick, spent a weekend scattering his ashes at his favorite haunts around the country. They stopped in front of the nightclubs he played in New York City, and sprinkled his ashes over the water at a summer camp in New Hampshire where, as a child, Carlin received a necklace for winning the drama competition. He was wearing it the day he died.

Accompanied by old friends from the neighborhood, they also stopped at a park on the edge of Harlem where Carlin grew up.

“The wind blew him around a little bit when Kelly threw his ashes,” Patrick Carlin recalled.

“It was beautiful and touching. I really felt like my dad was smiling very large at the moment,” she said. “I knew I was doing him right.”

Read more on ceremonies and helpful tips for scattering ashes.

Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times

BEIJING (Reuters) - Misty May-Treanor had one worry when she came through customs on her way to the Beijing Olympics: what if they confiscated her mother’s ashes?

American May-Treanor sprinkled some of her mother Barbara’s ashes on the beach volleyball court in Athens when she and Kerri Walsh won the semi-final and the final and she was determined to do the same in Beijing.

After winning the semi on Tuesday, and finals last night, May-Treanor pulled out a camera film canister and sprinkled some more of the ashes on to the sand in the Chaoyang Park stadium.

“My Dad packed it for me and I was like ‘What if they take it in customs as I go in?’ but it was all fine,” May-Treanor said after the match. “We can’t leave her home alone.”

(Reporting by Jane Barrett)