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

Galyani Vadhana

Ever since Thailand’s 84 year old Princess Galyani Vadhana passed away on January 2nd, artists and technicians have been busy over the past 10 months readying Princess’ chariot for her final ride. Some fast facts on this ancient rig.

Weighs in at 14 tons. Compare to a cargo van 2.5 tons.

Pulled by 228 soldiers. Seems like horse power would be better, but none of the ancient chariots have Hemis. The chariot will carry the Princess on a long procession around the heart of Bangkok, using levers, gears, winches, and manpower.

Dates back to 1875, built during the reign of King Rama I.

Despite it’s size, it’s a piece of rolling art. Elegantly carved in wood, gleaming with mirrors, gem stones and gold leaf.

The chariots will roll for the first time since 1995 when they were used during the cremation ceremony of the King’s mother.

Ceremonies started on November 14.

Source: The Straits Times

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.”

Deena Pulaski, knows all about the roller coaster ride of being a small business owner in LaPorte, Indiana .

Deena and her husband, Casmir Pulaski own the Lakeview Funeral Home, Midwest Crematorium Center and a retail web site, theurnstore.com. Casmir is a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Deena is a licensed pre-need insurance counselor and mother of two boys, in high school and 2nd grade.

After graduating from mortuary school, Casmir worked as a funeral director and quickly saw a business opportunity as a trade embalmer serving a 60 mile area that covers both Indiana and Michigan. He’s licensed in both states. After building on his contacts, he added a crematory in 2005.

When the Pulaski’s decided to offer direct cremation to the public for $895.00, it wasn’t well received with the local competition. La Porte is a bedroom community of approx. 22,000 with three long established funeral homes in town, and at least 15 more in the surrounding area. Operators were less than thrilled when a year later the Pulaski’s moved in to a vacant lawn and garden center building on the busiest county road in the state.

“We always knew that we’d own a funeral home, but imagined that we’d purchase an existing business, and it would be later than sooner!” said Deena

“We just didn’t expect it to happen so soon, but when this place became available, we felt like we had to do it. ” The two-story building has lots of natural light, a wide front porch with adjacent property that can handle future development. The Lakeview Funeral Home is the only funeral home in LaPorte with it’s own crematory.

“When the weather’s been nice, we’ve been able to have some nice military services outdoors. The families really seem to like the change of scenery.”

The location has been good for the Pulaski’s. Competing with 100 year old firms in the area, Deena expected that it would take several years to build the business. “By our second year anniversary we had already surpassed our projections.” Casmir still has travels, but has been able to reduce time on the road and even savor a rare long weekend.

As part of our ongoing “Women in Funeral Service” series, I recently had the pleasure to visit with Deena Pulaski. Deena and her husband, Casmir, just celebrated their two year anniversary at their new funeral home, Lakeview Funeral Home and Crematory in LaPorte, Indiana.

“We always knew that we’d own a funeral home, but imagined that we’d purchase an existing business, and it would be later than sooner.” said Deena

Deena was gracious enough to discuss take time out of her busy schedule to discuss some of the challenges of being being the new kid on the block in a small community of long established funeral homes, as well as some of the trends she sees with the families she serves.

For a butter-lovin’ amature Egyptologist, this butter sculpture of Anubis makes my mouth water. Thanks to Granny for the tip. I need a lift to Dallas.

At the bottom of the pix (click 4 big, courtesy of Granny Geek) you can see the canopic jars. Urn Garden carries replicas for pet urns in our Egyptian Urn Collection.

Anubis pet urn

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

Official Missouri State Bird: Native Blue Bird

A new Missouri law gives you more control over what is done with your body after your death. Do you want to be buried, cremated, body donated to science? The authority to make this decision is known in legalese as “right of sepulcher.”

A DPA, or agent, is someone you name in a legal document to make medical decisions for you if can’t speak for yourself. Under this new state law, the DPA has one additional power: right of sepulcher.

In the past, next-of-kin had the final say on this issue. Previously, if you chose cremation, your family could overrule you AND your DPA and choose something else. But now your DPA will have the final say - so be sure to specify your final wishes to your DPA.

Continue reading about End of Life Choices for Missouri Residents.

In our culture we honor the dead by carving their names in stone, staging celebrations of life, and personalizing any and all funeral accessories from the casket to the urn.

In contrast, here in the Bible Belt, I’ve attended a few services that where the body is on display (usually in a church) but the ceremony itself is actually an altar call for the “lost”.

In talking with Native Americans I’ve learned that in their culture, it is forbidden to mention the name of the deceased for fear of disturbing and disrupting the journey of the spirit.

Recently, a friend in Texas attended her neighbor’s funeral and was saddened that the minister never mentioned the deceased, only HIS relationship with God.

We never learned anything about his mother. We didn’t learn where she was born and grew up, who she married, or the names of her children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We didn’t learn if she had any hobbies, or if she had ever belonged to any church or community organization.

I’d like to think this was a culture clash and not a minister with a captive audience. We just have to hope the family was satisfied with the service.

The message here is, depending on your beliefs and desires for the funeral service DON’T ASSUME that your pastor or family member will know what you want for your loved ones. Write it down, ask questions, or communicate your wishes to the funeral director handling the service.

Today’s Tip: Celebrate Life