Earlier in the year, it was suggested that I write a post about pallbearers – how to choose suitable candidates, what are their duties and what’s required of them; that sort of thing. I added it to my list of potential topics and, driven by curiosity, I busied myself writing about other topics. Today’s the day; I’m ready to write about what’s involved in selecting and being a pallbearer. If you’re interested in the history of pallbearing, check out the Origin of Pallbearers. “Casket bearer” is … [Read more...] about How to Choose Pallbearers for the Funeral & What They Do
Floral Urns: Beauty from the Ashes
Here at the end of June, I feel compelled to write about what surrounds me: flowers. Mother Nature is in full bloom and they beauty is stunning. This conversation about floral urns is one of two “companion” posts. The other is The Language of Funeral Flowers. Happy Hummingbird I’m going to focus on just two of the urns with flowers in our collection of floral urns. They differ – not only in color, but also in significance and overall ‘feel’. The first, Urn Garden’s Happy Hummingbird Adult Urn … [Read more...] about Floral Urns: Beauty from the Ashes
The Language of Funeral Flowers
Today I’d like to talk about what’s been called “the language of flowers”. Certainly, we all know flowers don’t actually speak; nonetheless, we’ve found a way to embody each type of flower with meaning and significance. These socially-ascribed meanings are useful to us; not only when planning a funeral or a wedding, but also when choosing a cremation urn. An urn with flowers – carefully chosen blossoms representing a quality of the deceased individual or the relationship you shared – can do much … [Read more...] about The Language of Funeral Flowers
Audio Books on Grief and Loss
If you’re a fan of audio books and are looking for books on grief and loss, you’ll be happy to learn there are many to choose from, including those reviewed and recommended in two earlier posts. The first, published in December, 2017, looked at two of my favorite tools for purposeful grieving. I’m delighted to say both Martha Hickman’s classic Healing after Loss: Daily Meditations for Working through Grief and Bill Dunn’s 2004 book of healing affirmations, Through a Season of Grief: Devotions … [Read more...] about Audio Books on Grief and Loss
DIY Memorial Keepsakes: How to Make a Funeral Program
If you’ve been to a funeral or memorial service, chances are you were given a funeral program upon your arrival at the service location–so you’re familiar with this traditional addition. But, if you’ve never seen one for yourself; a funeral program is a multi-page printed booklet provided to each guest at a funeral or memorial service. In this post, I’d like to share some ideas for creating a truly personal funeral program in honor of a loved one. Actually, it’s one fundamental idea: your loved … [Read more...] about DIY Memorial Keepsakes: How to Make a Funeral Program