Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

arlington

Going Home

dove postcard
It’s becoming more common to hear of the family that decides to keep the ashes in the home. Often they have plans to inter the urn or scatter the ashes later. The cremation urn is not going to be hid away in the closet. These families want something beautiful that blends with their decor. The living area or bedroom is usually where the urn will be located.

One of our families has both her parents in a cloisonne style vase up high on a shelf. Tragically, she lost her son a couple of weeks ago and selected an exotic copper funeral urn that will be displayed on the mantle, with a piece of art from her son’s collection.

The son’s parents are Vietnam Vets who plan to be cremated and interred at Arlington. Due to the transitional nature of the rest of the family, it’s been difficult to determine a final resting place.

Cloisonne and blown glass urns are popular selections for families that want a discreet way to keep the urn close. The strength and beauty of cloisonne is an excellent choice.

Honoring Thomas and Section 60

Our hearts go out to the mother in Southern California who lost her son last month in a motorcycle accident. He died doing what he loved.

Remember Thomas, her only son. Here’s his My Space page courtesy of his mom.

Then we read about Section 60 at Arlington in the Washington Post. Login may be needed.

In Section 60, death remains too fresh to be separated from life.

You see it in the 17 cigars pushed into the grass near one headstone, signs that a combat unit stopped by. Here in Section 60 are the graves of 336 men and women killed in Iraq and Afghanistan — almost one in 10 of the dead. Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom have produced the highest percentage of burials at Arlington National Cemetery from any war. For the duration of this war, there have been few photographs of coffins returning home.

In May 2005, Beth Belle’s son, Nicholas Kirven, was the first to be buried in a brand-new row of graves. Two years later, five rows extend from his headstone.

Section 60 is the one place to get a sense of the immensity of the nation’s loss.

Today’s tip: If you’ve never been to Arlington National Cemetery– GO!