Just one generation ago, traditional funerals were still the norm. The tradition, as it were.
But things changed.
20 Beautiful Ideas for What to Do with Cremation Ashes
“When I die, just put me in a box in the attic.”
I answered the phones for a cremation urn company for over a decade, and heard this comment 3,127 times.
Ok, perhaps that’s a generous estimate. I heard it a lot. Or a similar variation: “Just toss my ashes in the ocean, in the backyard, in the river; just put my remains in a tin can, in a cardboard box…”
The thing is, everyone who said that was in the process of buying an exquisite urn to honor their loved one. So while most people live by the idea of simplicity, when they die their family members want to do something special to honor them.
After your loved one is cremated, you’ll receive their ashes from the funeral home in a simple plastic box… but then what?
There are three basic things you can do with cremated ashes:
Paying Tribute to Someone Special at the Funeral
Funerals, memorial services, and/or life celebration events are excellent opportunities for paying tribute to someone special.
Let’s consider ways to incorporate their hobbies, pastimes, and passions.
110 Tombstone Messages with Short, Beautiful Words for Gravestones
When it comes to choosing tombstone messages for your loved one, the right words are everything, and I’m here to help you get it right …
How to Open an Urn
There are several reasons why you may need to know how to open an urn.
Maybe your family is wanting to use a different urn for your loved one’s ashes. Or perhaps you are hoping to scatter the cremated remains, or share them among family members. Or maybe, you just want to know how to open an urn, just to know how!
Whatever the case may be, opening an urn is not as complicated as you may think, so let’s take a close look at how with a little help from my friends at Urns Northwest.
30 Beautiful Sympathy Gift Ideas for Loss of Mother
Today we’re talking about sympathy gift ideas for the loss of a mother.
When someone loses their mother, they have quite literally lost their first love. The one who gave them life. The first voice they ever heard. Maybe even the one who gave them a second chance at life.
To lose a parent is one of the greatest losses a person will ever face, and all of us have to face this realization at some point in our lives.
If you know someone who has recently had to say goodbye to their mom, you’re probably looking for a sympathy gift that is beautiful and will also bring this person a sense of peace and comfort.
Below, we’ve gathered a list featuring 30 sympathy gifts, each possessing both of those qualities. Let’s take a look together, and find the best sympathy gift to help your loved one through this next chapter of life.
Flying with Ashes: Can You Take Ashes on a Plane?
If you’re flying with a loved one’s cremated remains, there are many questions to address. Can you bring ashes on a plane in the first place?
Like most people, you’ve probably never boarded a plane with a cremation urn before. Naturally, you have a lot of questions regarding rules, airline regulations, and what TSA (Transportation Security Administration) will and will not allow.
As every airline is different, we’re going to equip you with a general (but very helpful!) guide to flying with cremated remains. We’ll also provide up-to-date information straight from the most popular airlines.
Why You Should Commission a Memorial Painting of Your Loved One
In this article, we are going to talk about why you should commission a memorial painting to honor your loved one and their memory.
A memorial painting can express things in a way that a photograph alone cannot. The photo captures a moment, yes, and can do so perfectly. A painted portrait — especially at the hands of a true artist — can portray much more.
How to Sign a Sympathy Card: From Beginning to End
It can be hard to figure out how to properly sign a sympathy card. No matter who the card is for, whether a close family member, a best friend, an acquaintance, or a distant relative, it’s often difficult to figure out the right things to say to someone who is grieving, and to properly express sympathy.
30 Simple Things To Say When Someone Dies Unexpectedly
Losing someone is hard. Losing a loved one out of the blue is even more difficult. Tragedy often occurs when we least expect it, and knowing what to say when someone dies unexpectedly can feel next to impossible.
Because what exactly do you say to a friend who is going through the most difficult time of their life? You certainly can’t ignore it or pretend it didn’t happen.
And what about you – what if you’re the one who lost someone? You’re shocked, grieving, and trying to make sense of it all. How do you encourage yourself through the hard times?
Let’s take a look at some helpful places to start.
How to Write Messages for Condolences Email
In this modern era, it’s good to know how to express sympathy in a condolences email.
Perhaps a close co-worker or your manager has experienced the recent loss of a loved one. Or maybe a team member you are only acquainted with has been out on bereavement leave, and you’d like to let them know you are thinking about them.
Whatever the case – and while it’s preferable to send a sympathy card – sometimes a sympathy email is the best (or only) option.
But how to say “sorry for your loss” professionally? Today we’ll take a look at how to go about writing (er, typing) a professional condolences email.
50 Heartwarming Sympathy Messages for Loss of Pet
Losing a furry (or scaley, feathered, or swimmy) member of the family can be heartbreaking. Finding comforting words for the loss of a pet can be tricky, as the loss of a beloved pet can be just as sad and emotional as losing a part of the family.
Whether have lived a long, happy life or were taken too soon, knowing what to say when your friend or family member loses that special companion can go a long way toward their healing. No matter the form it takes – in person, through social media, a text message, or in a sympathy card.
