Marble and Cremation Urns

Marble cremation urns are elegant and beautiful sculptures reminding one of the ancient classics that stand around the world. Marble contains Calcite which causes the marvelous swirls that make the marble cremation urns so distinctive. The colors are created by a reaction to the minerals and sediment in the earth where they are found. Pink marble is found in Tennessee and is used primarily for building materials because of its density. While it is very difficult to sculpt because it is so dense, artisans create some beautiful and distinctive marble cremation urns using Tennessee Marble.

Marble can be a porous material. Some of the cremation urns and created from a block of marble and some are made from crushed marble that has been combined with a bonding agent which makes it stronger and easier to shape. It is not always easy to tell if the marble has been previously crushed as both have a wonderful look.

Marble cremation urns are hand crafted using large blocks which are then chiseled and sculpted using the same tools that have been used for centuries. Before sculpting can begin though a large piece of marble must be turned, shaped, and buffed into the general shape that it is going to be. This requires several hours and requires precise workmanship.

The carved cremation urns of today are not much different than the works of the past. Many of the same tools and exactly the same material is used. The artists work hard and smartly to create a wonderful look and feel for their marble urns. If you want a special sculpture created that reflects your loved one’s love for a certain activity, the artist will design a marble cremation urn that will reflect that wish.

Extra time must be spent with each individual piece because even though it is resilient, carving marble takes a special technique and the use of very small and delicate tools. Creating a detailed sculpture is much like cutting a diamond. If a mistake is made during the process the artist must start over, but the end result will be very special. Each marble cremation urn is an individual and unique piece of art that cannot be duplicated.

Cremation urns made of marble age very well. They are very heavy and durable and will become a treasured keepsake and heirloom. Often marble urns are kept out of the elements; we encourage proper care of a marble urn, but as many cultures have done, they can be stored outside.

Many people select a marble cremation urn that is large enough to accommodate more than one member of the family. This is called a companion urn. Thank you for reading and I hope this is helpful.

The Value of Pre-Planning

Pre Planning a Funeral

When a family member dies unexpectedly, it is often heart-wrenching, emotional and stressful.  Pre-planning for your own funeral or memorial makes everything so much easier on your entire family when the time comes that you pass.  You also have more time to choose exactly what is right for you, which helps avoid putting this burden on your family when they are at their most grief-stricken and fragile.  This is a true act of love, and means more to your family than you will ever know.

Leaving all of these decisions to your family members is something that often happens, but can easily be avoided.  Pre-planning also helps the family avoid the financial stress that often comes with making arrangements after the fact.  When you plan your own funeral or memorial and choose the burial urn or casket that suits your preferences, it also guards against inflation.  Your family can grieve and mourn as they so badly need to, instead of scurrying around trying to make arrangements while in an unstable emotional state.

Often when all of these important decisions are left to the remaining family members, it can cause arguments or disagreements.  Everyone wonders if they have made the right decision.  They question their choice, asking themselves if this is what you would have wanted or chosen.  Pre-planning the memorial or funeral simply takes the anxiety and added burden off of your family members, so that they can process what has happened and go forward with their lives.  It truly shows your family that you love them deeply, and want to avoid placing these decisions on them at the most difficult time in their lives.

Inflation is a fact of life that never goes away.  In some cases, families of the deceased have been financially devastated by the costs of giving their beloved family member a proper and respectable funeral, memorial, or scattering of ashes.  What happens if you die unexpectedly, without pre-planning?  The expenses could literally ruin them financially.  You care about your family, and don’t want to see this happen.  Pre-planning is the ultimate act of love and kindness you can give your family, so that they can be prepared when you pass, and not spend time that is meant for grieving trying to make choices they are uncertain of.

Preparing for your own death is never something that you enjoy, but it is necessary to protect your family both emotionally and financially.  Read more about what to do after losing a loved one. Death is an inevitable fact facing everyone, and taking the time to make arrangements is a true gift to your family members.  The value of pre-planning is truly beyond worth.

Beatrice Toney Bailey – Farewell, My Friend

Farewell, My Friend is a manual that is written for anyone facing a serious health issue. The book is a step-by-step guide for those who wish to plan for the inevitable, and is an extremely valuable resource for those who may be called upon to act as caregiver or caretaker for terminally ill friends or family members.

Farewell, My Friend

Currently, Bea is the host of the new innovative television show, “Bea-On Bereavement – The Power of Planning”, which will air in September 2009 on RCCTV, Sacramento, CA. She is also a co-facilitator of a national GriefShare Support Group and is the Head Feature Writer for Senior Magazine of Northern California. She has authored this best selling book and is conducting presentations and book signings throughout the United States and Mexico.
View more information>>

Cremation Process – Elisa Krcileka

Elisa Krcileka, a funeral director from Illinois discusses the process after losing a loved one. She illustrates a great deal of the information that you need to know if someone has passed. This kind of video is very important for people to see and it is another example of how technology has enriched our lives.

She reviews the many important legal documents that need to be completed after death. Also typical process of the cremation and your relationship with the funeral home/ crematorium.

In the Light Urns has created a useful guide after someone passes. Its called four steps to take after losing a loved one and provides more information to help you during this time.

Very important and practical information.

Green Burial versus Traditional Burial

Green Burial

Going green is advocated by environmentalists starting from your home improvement projects to purchasing household products. When it comes to burial techniques, the green method is already making a huge name for itself.  Many people are talking about your green burial options and where you can find these services.  But what is this method?  How does it compare to traditional techniques in burying your loved one?

There’s a lot to be said about green burial. Generally if one is not being buried in a metal casket, they have had a green burial. Many factors contribute to this including:

1    What Kind of Casket is Used
2    Formaldehyde Use
3    Cemetery Where Buried

It is better for the environment to be buried in a wood casket rather than a metal casket. Better still is being buried in a reed casket with no chemicals that preserve the body. And better still is to be wrapped in cloth and buried. Then you can consider how cremation compares to green burial. ABC news sites a study that proves that cremation is more environmentally friendly than a burial. The main issue is that lots of power is being used to burn a body, whereas in the general burial, the body is naturally broken down by the earth. The cremation urn you choose you choose could also play a role. Burial urns can range from biodegradable materials such as paper and sand to metals and toxic chemicals such as brass and certain resin urns.

Comparisons between green burial and traditional burial

When you are deciding what to choose, green burial or traditional have a look at the book Grave Expectations and their resources. Here is a list of information to help you.

1.    Concept.  It is always best to define two terms that are being compared.  Green burial is a system where your loved one will be closer to nature.  Green cemeteries are adapting the concept that traditional burial systems failed to incorporate in their techniques.  The green burial method is a mixture of water, flowers and full-grown forests.  Traditional burial techniques on the other hand are those that use embalming fluids, manicured lawns and metal vaults.

2.    Cost considerations.  Traditional burial may cost you between $5,000 and $6,000 – that promises decent rites and techniques.  In green burial, you only need to spend about 40% of that cost ranging from $2,000 to $2,500 only.

3.    Land area covered.  In some countries, graves used in traditional burial are placed on top of another especially if the family does not have the means to invest on mausoleums.  This also happens because of the limited land area for these graves.  The ratio in the US is around 900 graves over an acre of land.  Green burial methods eliminate this problem.  In this technique around 1,200 burial sites are spread over 32 acres of land – this makes a ratio of 38 burial sites over one acre.

With all the above comparisons between green burial and traditional burial methods, which one will you opt for?  The decision is yours to make.  In both these cases, you must always consider the wishes of your dearly beloved.  As you learn about green burials, you may even be astonished that you get cost savings over traditional burial methods.  With that, you will not only help save the environment, but you also will be saving money.

Memorial Jewelry – Remembering Loved Ones Often

As anyone knows who has experienced the death of a loved one, it is a very emotional and even debilitating time. Memorial jewelry is a way that you can keep the remembrance of that person alive, and keep them close to your heart as time marches on.

Many people visit the graves of their loved ones on Memorial Day, but why not do it more often? When you reflect about people you have known over the years, usually each one had some influence on your life whether large or small. If things were as they should be, people would be thankful for everyone they knew in their life. These people helped form who you are today. Remembering loved ones and friends on a daily basis helps you focus on the love you shared.

Another great way to remember your loved ones and keep them constantly in your mind and heart is with memorial jewelry. Although it is astonishingly beautiful to wear, it also helps keep someone who was very close to you with you all of the time, both physically and mentally. These wonderful keepsakes allow you to keep something of your beloved departed, such as a portion of their cremains or even a lock of hair.

Memorializing someone does not necessarily mean you must choose a traditional funeral with a casket. In fact, many people are now turning to cremation not only because of cost factors, but because of the beautiful and personal memorial products that are now available to celebrate life. Because someone chooses to spend less on the disposition of the body does not mean that their honor is compromised at all. This can be seen as a shift toward personalization, which is one of cremations advantages.

Of course when you do choose this method for your loved one, there are endless style and choices of urns to choose from, but memorial jewelry somehow makes it all seem so much more special and touching. It’s almost as if an unknown secret exists, because unless you tell anyone, you are the only one who knows just how close your loved one is to you because of the cremation jewelry you wear.

Remembering someone near to your heart, that affected your life in positive ways and influenced who you are is something that should be done each and every day, not just on holidays. Keep them in your mind and in your soul, and they will be with you always. Honor your departed loved one by keeping them close to you in body and spirit with memorial jewelry.

Words of Sympathy During a Funeral

It can be difficult to find the right words of sympathy to express sympathy during a time of loss. We often search for the most appropriate words that will help another. Comforting a grieving friend with a sympathy card or a heart to heart can be easier than you think. People are often thankful with the feeling that you care to take the time to try and comfort them while others can seem to avoid the topic altogether. In expressing your sympathy you might be worried about saying the wrong thing, saying something that upsets them, or simply sounding artificial.

Just being there for your friend can help them so much. Ask if they need company, or someone to stay the night. Make lunch dates with them to get them out and help them talk about their loss. Providing your company, words of sympathy and listening can comfort your friend after a funeral. If you wait too long because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing you will probably end up not doing anything at all, which is worse than trying something. The more you care about your grieving friend, the harder it may seem to do right by them. Unfortunately, you cannot take their pain away. Anything less may seem silly to you right now, but for your friend it can mean the world. There are many things you can do to help a friend in a time of loss.

It is important to talk with someone in grief. It is common to feel overwhelmed, helpless, uncertain, or awkward. Chances are your grieving friend feels the same way. You might feel that there isn’t much you can do to make your friend in grief feel better, but just talking with them can comfort them. They will remember you were there for them during this tough time and it will help you bond together. Begin by letting your friend know that you care. Having your support can help in so many ways. You do not have to give advice or have answers. You just need to be supportive and be able to listen. Understand that grief brings on strong emotions and there is no right way to grieve. Be genuine when talking with your grieving friend. Using words like died can help your friend feel more open to you because you feel comfortable using that word. Let your friend know that you are truly sorry that this has happened. You could even say, “I am not sure what to say right now, but I want you to know that I care about you. You can talk to me”. Ask your friend how you can help; what can you do for them that will help in this time? Allow your friend to cry, yell, break down, or get angry. These are normal feelings during grief and are part of the grieving process. Just be there for your friend. Offer your shoulder to cry on. Your friend needs your support and comfort, not judgment or criticism. If you can’t think of anything to say then just offer a smile or a hug. Sitting in silence is ok.

Catholic Cremation – A Sometimes Controversial and Misunderstood Subject

View Catholic Cremation Urns

Catholic Cremation has long been a subject that is debatable. Many Catholic churches frown upon this practice, but it is allowed by some – with stipulations. The Bible has a scripture that states “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” which to many people means that humans came from ashes, and that is where they will return. The soul goes to Heaven, so the body really is just a vehicle for the soul, per se’.

According to Catholic belief, the soul leaves the body after death to be reunited at the end of time. The body is buried, which means it disintegrates over time. Cremation involves burning of the body in a furnace. The Catholics see the body as a holy temple, and therefore believe the burning of the body is a desecration of God’s work. They also believed at one time that burning the remains stood for a denial in the belief of resurrection.

As the Catholic Church has evolved, cremation is now permitted. This religion continues to stress traditional burials and entombment, but is not as strict as it once was. For many people, it is an affordable option when no burial insurance is taken out and finances are short. It is a meaningful way to say goodbye to a loved one, and urns that are available are beautiful and made in so many ways that memorialize a loved one that is uniquely special to that person.

In earlier times, Catholic cremation was finally accepted, but only if the body were present at the Mass before being cremated. In present times, the Church allows cremation before the last Mass. The urn can be present, but must be approved by a bishop. The Church does have a few stipulations – the ashes must either be buried or put in an urn. Look at our burial urns. This religion does not look favorably upon scattering the ashes or keeping an urn in your home.

Catholic cremation is becoming more and more accepted, and people realize that traditional burials can be (and usually are) very expensive. There are several ways that cremation allows the family to save money. There is no casket required, and the use of a funeral home is often not necessary because there is no wake prior to burial. However, the Catholic religion frowns upon immediate cremation as it does not give friends and family a chance to engage in the grieving process to their way of thinking.

Decades ago, the Vatican banned cremation, but in 1963 the ban was lifted, but the cremains could not be present at a funeral mass. This option could only be chosen if the deceased denied the teachings on the resurrection of the body. However, in 1997 the Vatican decided that the cremains can be present at mass and are to be treated with the same respect and reverence as in a casket burial. To this day, the scattering of ashes is still unacceptable.

View Religious Urns>>

Catholic Cremation Urn

View Rosary Keepsakes>>

Catholic Rosary Keepsake

Wikipedia – Cremation in the Christian World

Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

View Urns for Veterans>>

Veterans Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

As you drive along the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway on the north side of Mount Shasta, you will find the Veterans Living Memorial Sculpture Garden. In this stretch of fairly brush filled land, there are 11 sculpture groups. The powerful sculptures show life during war and are spread across approximately ½ square mile. In the front of the memorial garden there is a memorial wall:

Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

Veterans

Memorial Plaque

To view a list of the people on this wall click here>> and to apply to have a person added see the bottom of this page.

The wonderful works of art created Dennis Smith are a deep remembrance of fallen soldiers and military assistants. The sculptures show images of helping others, tragedy, sorrow, light, life and death.

Veteran Memorial

Memorial Sculpture

Memorial Sculpture - Center of Back Section

Carrying Fallen Soldier

Veterans Living Memorial Sculpture Garden

This experience was truly moving. I am very pleased to see that the people involved with erecting the Veterans Living Memorial Sculpture Garden did a outstanding job. If you are driving through the area, I strongly encourage you stop by and have a look at these sculptures.

To see a flyer click here>> or to become a member click here>>

In the Light Urns is a memorial company that retails cremation urns and memorials. Our military urns section is quite robust, as we have great respect for the soldiers of our country. Our blog is designed to inform our readers of the funeral industry. We take great pride in our work and thank you for reading. To contact us call (800) 757-3488.

http://www.memorialsday.com/

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PPT Presentation on our Cremation Urns

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