cremation

June Bugs and Egyptian Scarab Keepsake Urn

August 19, 2008 urngarden.com

The June Bugs (or Japanese Beetles?) invaded the garden and got busy breeding, munching, and wrecked the garden and trees.

It’s hard to believe that the Egyptians worshiped the dung beetle. While we consider this bug a nuisance, the Egyptians considered them sacred. The scarab symbol is commonly found in hieroglyphics and jewelry designs and it’s really not clear why the scarab was so popular. Artifacts could be found everywhere with this image, amulets, and carved into tombs and pyramids. Historians think that the spiritual significance might have do with some heavenly cycle tied to rebirth or regeneration.

egyptian scarab

So we have a love hate relationship with the scarab. We love the mystery of Egyptian artifacts so Urn Garden commissioned a keepsake urn with the image of a scarab that appeals to pet owners (cat owners especially) and families that want a mini urn to store a small amount of ashes. Many of these designs are inspired by actual relics and artifacts found in the tombs of kings and pharaohs complete with hieroglyphics and are found in museums around the world.

Canned Soul

August 17, 2008 urngarden.com

Politicians had been talking for years about the need to replace the Oregon State Hospital, but didn’t get serious about it until a group of legislators made a grim discovery during a 2004 tour: the cremated remains of 3,600 mental patients in corroding copper canisters in a storage room. The lawmakers were stunned.

“Nobody said anything to anybody,” said Oregon Senate President Peter Courtney, who dubbed the chamber “the room of lost souls.”

The remains belonged to patients who died at the hospital from the late 1880s to the mid-1970s, when mental illness was considered so shameful that many patients were all but abandoned by their families in institutions.

After doing some research into the story, Photographer David Maisel got in touch with the hospital administrators – the same hospital, it turns out, where they once filmed One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – and he was granted access to the room in which the canisters were stored.

Maisel set up a temporary photography studio inside the hospital itself. There, he began photographing the canisters one by one.

His book, Library of Dust, will be released later this summer.

Tip of the Hat to: Cleanser

Lucky Number Eight

August 8, 2008 urngarden.com

Infinity: Without end.

The precise origin of the infinity symbol is unclear. It’s possible that it is inspired by older religious/alchemical symbolism. For instance, it has been found in Tibetan rock carvings, and the infinity snake, is often depicted in this shape.

In Chinese culture, today is one of the luckiest days ever: 8-8-8.

The timeless symbol can be found in our Infinity Urn Necklace, and is our most popular selling style of cremation urn jewelry.

New Metal Urn For Ashes

August 6, 2008 urngarden.com

merv griffin head stone

We’ve added several new styles of metal funeral urns. Why metal? It’s usually one of the most secure ways to contain ashes and can be used for burial, but is also attractive enough to keep in the home. Years ago, metal was the only choice and you were limited to silver or gold. Now, there’s so many colors to choose from.

My favorite is the black and white cloisonne “Laurel” urn. If you believe in the language of flowers, the Laurel flower symbolizes passion, ambition, and glory. The contrast of white flowers against the ebony background really make this urn out. Cloisonne looks like porcelain but is actually metal, making it very durable and a secure method of storage for your loved one’s ashes. This style can be personalized with names and dates and is available in other sizes for families that prefer a double size companion urn, or matching keepsake urns.

Urn Talk: St. Francis of Assisi Pet Urn

August 4, 2008 urngarden.com

vintage postcard

We’ve created a cast metal urn to honor St. Francis and bless the sweet creatures he protects, and has become one of our most requested pet urns. This urn can serve as a pet urn or keepsake urn for animal lovers, holds pets weighing up to 55 pounds.

Saint Francis of Assisi is known as the patron saint of animals, the environment, and Italy. It’s customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4.

St. Francis statue urns are available in a satin bronze finish, as well as pewter and copper finish. Lined bottom to protect furniture. Urn can be personalized with a brass nameplate on the base.