Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

funeral service

Here’s The Thing About Cremation Jewelry

Cremation jewelry is not for everyone. It’s such a personal choice that you either love the idea, or….not so much. Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of wearing their loved ones ashes, even a trace amount, around their neck. Keeping it close to the heart? Not going to happen. The idea of splitting up the ashes, sharing them, scattering them is unthinkable and in a way, a desecration the body. The Catholic church thinks so, even though cremation is allowed.

Then there are families who cherish the idea of remembrance jewelry and keepsake urns will order several pieces for family members. While planning a memorial service, one East Coast family invited not only family, but many of the daughters’ friends to order jewelry urn pendants if they wanted some of her ashes.

dogwood flower urn jewelry

Cremation Pendants have to be worn with care and certain skin types may not agree with the metals. It’s NOT a good idea to wear your urn necklace to the gym, like one lady did, and then was upset because she lost it.

With so many choices of urn pendants available, if the family likes the idea of creating a memorial with jewelry then why not? The pendant styles are attractive and discreet, so if you don’t want anyone to know, you’re good to go.

We’re still in love with the dogwood urn pendant, so pretty and perfect for this time of year.

cremation jewelry

Oregon’s Unclaimed Dead, Lost and Found

vintage postcard brother

An Oregon newspaper, “The Oregonian”  has created the country’s first searchable database of the state’s Indigent Burial Fund, with the names of people whose bodies were unclaimed and cremated or who’s bodies were donated to the OHSU anatomy lab from January 2000 to the present. The Oregonian is releasing this information so that families may find lost relatives — or at least learn the final chapter of their history.

As families are able to locate their missing loved ones, bittersweet stories are emerging.

Military Veterans Choose Cremation in Record Numbers

As national cemeteries across the country are expanding at a rate not seen since the Civil War, more space is being devoted to niches and plots for urns. Veterans are opting for cremation in record numbers, doubling the cremation rate of civilians.

Many U.S. national cemeteries less than 10 years old are getting  multi-million dollar  upgrades to add burial spaces for cremated remains and above-ground niches for cremation urns.

Personal cemetery plots are wonderful,” said retired Marine, Jim Long. The retired Marine likes the option of being buried in a national cemetery with his comrades in arms. “I’m not a religious man, but the Lord does want us to stay together. We must have one hell of an army in heaven.”

Continue reading about more Florida veterans choosing cremation.

For more info on military death benefits:

military urn for ashes

What to Wear to a Funeral pt. 2

People want to know what to wear to a funeral. In today’s society, almost anything goes.  Within reason, which we’ve covered before.

what to wear to a funeal

Male or female, usually, you can’t go wrong with something black.  With a collar.  And a shirt that that buttons up. Not a Metallica t-shirt, unless it honors the deceased.  You’re going to this affair to pay respect, dress accordingly.

Here in the Midwest, I’ve seen everything except overalls at the memorial service. Men tend to wear a jacket and slacks.  Ladies, skirts or office attire.  We’re celebrating the life now and I’ve seen a red and white polka-dot dress on the widow. (Not recommended) Jeans and leather at the biker funeral.

cheap cremation urn jewelry for ashes

If you are going to the cemetery, dress for the weather.  Wear sturdy shoes. Heels are not recommended.   The last grave side service I attended was watery grave conditions. Whipping winds and soggy conditions. The funeral home had to put down sheets of plywood to get to the grave with out sinking in the soggy bottom.

If I know the deceased’s favorite color and it seems appropriate I might wear that with a black skirt and black hose.  My favorite color combo is blue and black and I have a couple of funeral uniforms that I can pull together in a hurry.  My grandmother (RIP) gave me a ruby ring (her birthstone) that I like to wear.

From time to time, the world of fashion casts its eye on the funeral and Pat McNally has done an interesting piece on funeral fashion.

Just remember to focus on the grieving family, not what you’re wearing. Follow us on Pinterest to see our collection of funeral couture.