Glass Artists Are Creating Art with Cremation Ashes

Art Made From AshesGlass memorial tributes — an art that was just recently featured on the Today Show — are beautiful, custom, one-of-a-kind keepsakes and jewelry that will be cherished for generations to come.  This jewelry and these glass keepsakes are carefully hand-crafted with the incorporation of the cremation ashes of your loved one or beloved pet by highly-skilled and talented glass artists.  Glass memorial tributes are a wonderful way to honor your lost loved one or pet.

Glass memorial tributes are available in both recycled and non-recycled glass, with the recycled glass counterparts being made in an emerald green shade and the non-recycled glass made in a wider variety of beautiful jewel tone colors.  However, both are equally stunning and beautiful.  Easily select a preset keepsake style color combination or create your own unique custom color with different color combinations and styles.

Art Made With AshesHow Glass Memorial Art is Created

Glass memorial art keepsakes and jewelry are hand-blown and then carefully and skillfully sculpted right here in the United States by skilled glass artists and then hand-signed.  During this process, glass is heated to temperatures reaching well over 2000 degrees, melting it into a molten glass state.

When glass is molten, as it cools it is plastic-like and shape-able.  Once the glass is in a molten state, the ashes of your loved one are then carefully incorporated into the glass.  Because the molten glass is hotter than the ashes, carbon is burned off, which then in turn turns the ashes into a brilliantly white color within the glass.

After the sculpture is artistically made, it is then put into an annealer to cool down.  Cool-down generally takes over 12-48 hours and will vary depending upon your memorial tribute’s size.

Cremations Solutions Keepsakes and Jewelry

Ashes inside JewelryGlass cremation jewelry is available CremationSolutions.com in a wide-variety of glass cremation pendants and each pendant is made with a small amount of cremation ashes.  Pendants are available in the Cross Pendant, available in four colors; the Helix Pendant, available in four colors; the Loving Memory Hearts, available in eight colors; the Precious Metals Heart – Gold, available in eight colors; the Precious Metals Heart – Silver, available in eight colors; the Rhombic Pendant, available in four colors; and the Swirling Galaxy Memory, available in six styles.

Keepsakes are available in the Embrace Orb, the Galaxy Orb, the Swirl Orb and the Keepsake Heart.  You have the option of choosing two beautiful colors for the inside of the cremation urn glass.  Colors that you’ll choose from include: eternal purple, sea-foam aqua, sky blue, ocean blue, forever green, antique red, perfect pink, radiant orange, everlasting gold, apricot/marmalade, daffodil yellow, slate grey, mystic black, ivory white, aged bronze or a simple crystal clear.

Ashes Globe
Shown With "Wave Wrap"

When customizing your keepsake, you have the option of also including a wrap for your urn in the color of your choice.  The wrap will then become a permanent part of your urn and cannot be removed later.  You can also put the globe on a stand. The stands have an led light that adds a warm glow to your keepsake globe.  Choose one of two mahogany stands.  Each stand is hand-crafted and will include a brass plaque for two lines of engraving.

How the Order Process Works

To order, simply go on our website and select the keepsake or jewelry that you wish to order.  Cremation Solutions will then send you a kit to collect and saftly send us the right amount of ashes. You might be worried about sending something so precious through the mail as cremation ashes, but rest assured that all orders are tracked from the time that they leave your hands at the post office to the time that your final piece arrives to you. The records for that label are then kept in a company database and these records accompany each and every order throughout the entire creation process of your keepsake or jewelry.  Ensuring that you, your loved one and the memorial that is being created for you in their honor is treated with the utmost respect and care.

To Learn More about Glass Cremation Tributes

To learn more about creating a beautiful glass art memorial to honor the memory of your loved one or beloved pet, contact Cremation Solutions today.  Cremation Solutions has been a trusting provider of cremation products and cremation services for over seven years, with many more years to come.

Cremation Solutions is located in Arlington Vermont, owned by Jeff and Stacie Staab who have a goal of not only providing exceptional cremation products and cremation services, but also in helping to guide families who have lost loved ones in the creation of exceptional funeral and memorial events with the motto “Live, Love, Remember.”

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On The Ninth Day God Made Dogs

That enthusiastic welcome every time you return home, the soft snugly body to curl up next to, the unconditional love whether you’ve had a good day or a bad one: these are just a few of the joys of having a dog. Few, if any, animals embrace life so wholeheartedly and eagerly, whether it’s a ride in the car, an impromptu game of “fetch” or an evening stretched out on the coach.

Why we need dogs

Pet MemorialsFrom pugs to pit bulls, chihuahuas to cocker spaniels, from terriers to little teapot dogs, a dog is more than just a companion; he’s a part of the family and adds immeasurable joy to our lives. God made dogs for:

Companionship — No one likes to come home to an empty home or apartment. A dog’s unconditional love and loyalty brightens the day when you walk through that door. Plus, a dog is that perfect companion for a long walk on the beach, a car ride to no where or a weekend camping trip.
For our emotional health — Caring for a dog has been shown to ease depression and anxiety. It’s easy to understand. Who can be depressed with a furry friend wagging his tail at your feet?
For our physical health — Other studies have indicated that owning a dog can help to lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and even promote good heart health. Plus, dog owners get more exercise than their neighbors who don’t have a dog to accompany them on walks.
Fun — Health benefits aside, having a dog in the house is just plain old fun. Whether you’re watching his attics or getting sloppy kisses, it’s all but impossible to be upset with a dog eagerly panting at your feet.

Remembering our dogs

One of the few unfortunate things about caring for a dog is that they have much shorter lifespans than we do. Having to say goodbye to our beloved pet is one of the most difficult things any pet owner will ever have to do. If you’ve ever lost a dog, you know the deep sadness and emptiness that such a loss brings. Most of us want to be able to keep our beloved pet near us, even when they are gone. At Cremation Solutions, we offer a variety of ways to do just that. From decorative cremation urns for pet ashes to pet cremation jewelry, we understand how important keeping a part of your pet near you after he is gone can be.

Pet Cremation Jewelry

Jewelry for dog ashes
Has an Inner Chamber to Hold Ashes

Far from being creepy, pet cremation jewelry can be a subtle and private reminder of your beloved pet. Cremation Solutions offers a variety of beautiful pet cremation jewelry. Cremation crystals are composed of 20 percent pet ashes. These brilliant, colored gem stones have the look of an expensive piece of jewelry. Only you have to know that the necklace or ring is really a tribute to your dog who has passed. Before you bury or scatter your dog’s ashes, just keep a little bit to be made into a piece of lovely crystal jewelry that you can keep near your heart for years to come.

Urns for pet ashes

Pet Ashes UrnsIf pet cremation jewelry isn’t right for you, we also offer a full line of pet cremation urns. Like the jewelry, these don’t have to be obviously a pet memorial. With many of our urns, only you will know that the piece is a container and memorial for your pet. Our birdhouse urns make a stylish addition to any yard and they truly continue the cycle of life. These urns are used to scatter the ashes of you dog and then convert to become a memorial birdhouse. And so the cycle of life continues. We also have pet urns with paw prints, shaped as picture frames that hold a picture of your dog, dog-house shaped urns and urn candles with a paw print motif.

To learn more about finding the right pet memorial or pet cremation urn for your four-legged, furry friend, visit petcremationsolutions.com or call us at 877 365-9474. We understand the pain of losing a dog; we’re pet owners too.

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Crystal Jewelry and Keepsakes Made From Cremation Ashes

When a loved one passes, we feel the need to keep something special close at hand to remember that person or pet always. Some people choose to keep something that person owned or cherished while others hold dear the memories of times spent together. Choosing how to memorialize that beloved person or pet is a personal preference of the living left behind. One way to always remember a passed loved one who has been cremated is with cremation jewelry made from a small bit of his or her ashes.  This is the type of keepsake that you can take with you everywhere you go.

What is Cremation Crystal Jewelry?

Crystals made from ashes
Choose The Cut and Color

Cremation jewelry crystals are a unique way to remember a person or pet who has passed. This jewelry made from ashes creates a one-of-a-kind piece that is as individual as the person or pet being memorialized. Before scattering their ashes, save a small bit to have made into a beautiful jewel you wear every day in memory. Cremation keepsake jewelry helps heal the heart by:

  • Soothing grief
  • Honoring loved ones
  • Memorializing special pets
  • Celebrating a life shared
  • Remembering pets and people
  • Sharing an everlasting connection
  • Creating an enduring tribute

Cremation Crystals are infused with the ashes of your loved ones and pets to create a long-lasting memorial. Using a patented process, the ashes are transformed into actual crystals that contain over 20% ashes and then placed into custom settings to create a beautiful tribute to the deceased.

Where to get Cremation Crystal Jewelry

Cremation Solutions specializes in all things cremation, including the beautiful keepsake jewelry made from a loved one’s ashes. This unique crystal jewelry enables wearers to keep close an everlasting piece of their dear departed loved one forever. There are many gem cuts and setting styles to choose from including pendants and rings. Cremation Solutions will even customize a piece just for you.

You can choose the color of your gemstone, but ultimately the finished color will vary because it is influenced by the unique elements of each person or pet’s ashes. Although we try our hardest, it is almost impossible to predict the exact color of a gem, so our descriptions include a variation of the colors you can expect.

There are seven different gem cuts to choose from, each custom designed by world-class gem cutters before being mounted into an original design setting created by respected jewelry designer and setter, John Clark. You have a choice of 14K white gold, 14K yellow gold or sterling silver, in ring, pendant, or necklace styles. Whichever cremation jewelry you choose, it will be a one of a kind tribute to the special person who passed.

Available cuts include:

  • Cushion
  • Radiant
  • Portuguese
  • Heart shaped
  • Pear shaped
  • Trilliant
  • Teardrop

What to Expect with Cremation Jewelry

Although the cremation jewelry gems look like other naturally occurring gems such as diamonds, they are not the same. The cremation keepsake gems are created from a patented process that uses glass and the human ashes or pet ashes of a loved one who has passed to create unique one-of-a-kind stones. These stones are much softer than diamonds, but harder than onyx and can withstand normal wear and tear.  However, accidents to happen, so if your memorial keepsake would happen to break, it can be recast.

The Real Value of a Cremation Jewelry Keepsake

Crystal Cremation Keepsakes
Crystal Keepsakes Made From Ashes

The real value of a cremation jewelry keepsake is in its unique design and beauty. Since these gems are influenced by the unique elements of each person’s ashes, no two are the same, and that uniqueness is invaluable. Beyond this value, is the true reason anyone wants a keepsake like this. The emotional value alone makes this an irreplaceable memorial that is reflected in a work of art made from the ashes of your loved one.

Everyone handles the loss of a loved one differently, and everyone chooses to hold on to those loved ones in different ways. Cremation Solutions provides handmade customized cremation jewelry keepsakes for those that want to keep their loved ones near in every sense of the word. Wear a necklace, pendant or ring made from the ashes of your dearly departed loved one to help heal your heart and keep them close forever.

For more information on the complete line of cremation jewelry available at Cremation Solutions, please visit www.cremationsolutions.com and click on “Crystal Cremation Jewelry” or call 877-365-9474 to speak with one of our cremation jewelry experts. Our sympathetic staff is on hand to help you choose the perfect way to memorialize your lost loved one.

Cremation Glass Orbs and Jewelry

Cremation Glass Globes


At Cremation Solutions, you’ll find a wide array of top quality cremation gGlass Beads and Jewelry For Asheslass orbs and jewelry for ashes. These keepsakes are the ideal way to commemorate a loved one’s life and hold them close to your heart. These glass memorials are all made by American artist and offer a unique one of a kind keepsake that holds the precious earthly remains of your loved one. Our Glass cremation jewelry is also ideal for your cherished pets. After all, pets are family too. Our talented artists handcraft the cremation jewelry and create an attractive one-of-a-kind piece that you can treasure forever. Not only do you receive a quality piece, you can feel confident that your loved one’s ashes will not be mixed with others, as each order is carefully tracked and our strict process does not allow for any intermingling of ashes.

How Glass Cremation Glass Orbs are Made

Depending on the selected design, ashes are arranged on a metal table in a specific pattern. A steel rod known as a punty is placed into molten glass in a bowl. The design is created as a small ball of molten glass is rolled into the deceased’s ashes. When the design is complete, the small ball is dipped again to cover the ashes in the glass. Each order is completed separate to ensure that no ashes are mixed. Once the desired design is complete, the glass cremation jewelry piece is placed in a kiln to slowly cool off. The piece is stored on a numbered grid, and the location is recorded on an invoice. When the piece has cooled off, it is returned to a secure location with the specific vial of ashes.

Cremation glass orbs are available in a variety of styles, including swirls and galaxies. Also known as glass orb memorials, the orbs can be placed on mahogany lighted stands. Depending on the style orb that you choose, you can select from up to 16 colors. The swirl glass orb is a classic design that displays three lines swirling upward. You can also opt to add a decorative wrap of colored glass along the base. All of our orbs are crafted from top quality crystal glass and use just a small amount of cremation ashes. This way, you can scatter or use the remainder cremation ashes for memorial urns.

The LED lighted stands are crafted from Honduran mahogany, and a cluster of LED lights illuminate the cremation glass orbs. With high quality metal plates, each lighted stand can be etched for personalizing. The LED lighted stands are the perfect accompaniment for these exquisite glass orbs.

Cremation Jewelry
Capture the memory of loved one with one of our cremation jewelry sets. Cremation earrings, pendants and bracelets can be matched, mixed or purchased separately. Choose from classic, vintage, quilted designs and more. The vintage designs are inspired by the diversity of colors found in nature. They represent the timelessness of forever memories and are comprised of stunning glass beads. All sets are perfectly matched for a uniform look. The rings are crafted of quality sterling silver and are open in the back for easy adjustment.

Dichroic Glass with Ashes
Dichroic Glass Tiles Are Vivid As Can Be

The unique line of quilted cremation pendants features the style of a traditional patchwork quilt. The glass strips are fired at lower temperatures to create a bold and brilliant texture that you can actually feel. These pendants are available in a variety of vibrant color combinations. You can also choose to have the ashes hidden or visible. With two secured sterling silver balls, these pendants are the ideal match for any omega chain. The pendants also come with black silk ribbon. They are high quality pieces of jewelry for ashes.

Glass Cross Pendant Holds Ashes
Three Colors Available

Our fine line of glass cremation jewelry also features beautifully crafted cross pendants.

Each is a unique keepsake. The glass is textured and comes in many vibrant colors, including tie-dyed colored schemes of earthy green, bright pink and soothing blue. These unique cross pendants feature a sterling silver bail that can be worn with any of your favorite chains. Like our other glass cremation jewelry pendants, a fine black silk ribbon is included.

Here is an example video of one of our glass pendants being made.

Ordering is Easy

At Cremation Solutions, we make the whole process of ordering cremation jewelry easy. Our clients can order right online or call us. Once you place the order, we will mail you a kit with all the instructions and materials you need to complete the order. In the United States, shipping is always free. If you do have any questions about your order, you can call us or submit your inquiry right online. Our reps are always on hand to answer any of your questions or concerns. Our goal is not to only provide you with the best jewelry for ashes, but to provide you with A+ customer service.

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The Hottest Dr. Oz Weight-Loss Technique to Date: The Crème Diet (Parody)

End Those Cravings For Good!

Inspiration for the Crème Diet
Many of the weight-loss plans Dr. Oz has created have required intense concentration, will power and organization. With rules governing what people could and could not eat as well as when they were allowed to have meals, most dieters ended up incredibly confused and frustrated. They eventually found themselves weeping into a bag of potato chips and wondering where everything went wrong in their lives.

Dr. Oz heard about these massive failures and decided to concoct the ultimate fat-burning method. The challenge he gave himself was to get his viewers to lose 100% of their body fat without ever having to watch what they eat or submit to painfully rigorous athletic activities like petting a dog or peeling an orange.

Likewise, since he had only released two impeccable diet plans that morning and it was nearing noon, he was just about due to release another best diet in the history of all diets.

Getting the Word Out

Cremation Service is Catching On
So Easy, Hot and Sexy

After spending a full fifteen minutes in his laboratory, which consists of a solid gold elliptical machine and a Mr. Potato Head doll, he emerged shouting, “I’ve figured it out! I now know the way we can burn fat faster than ever before!” Dr. Oz grabbed the closest intern and dragged the lucky individual by the hair to the closest cremation service facility while the rest of Dr. Oz’s staff waiting in anticipation for their return.

When Dr. Oz and the intern came back to the facility, the staff of 43 unpaid interns was speechless. However, this time it was not because of Dr. Oz’s 462nd weight loss technique of removing the tongue; the interns were not even signing amongst each other. In his hands, Dr. Oz held the intern who had previously been close to 150 pounds but was now situated comfortably in a beautifully hand crafted cremation urn. A handful of interns began to weep quietly and Dr. Oz saw one sign the word “escape” to another intern with a sadly inquisitive yet promising expression glazed across her eyes.

The New You. Completely Fat Free!

Dr. Oz took his own interpretation of the meaning of this witnessed exchange and proclaimed, “Yes, intern, that is correct! You can finally escape the cumbersome diets of watching what you eat! The Cremation Diet was born! Interns signed that the word cremation was harsh and thought about a softer alternative. Quick, someone get the camera we need to share this news with the world immediately!”

Before the camera was even brought to his location, Dr. Oz was well into a discussion with himself about the incredible new fat-burning technique while tongueless interns swirled around him applying a heavy coat of makeup. With the cameras rolling and an estimated 125 million people watching live from the comfort of their ice cream stained couches, Dr. Oz described the numerous advantages of what he had by then deemed the crème diet.

Diet is Really Catching On Fire!

How the Crème Diet Can Help You
The disadvantages of the crème diet —if any exist at all— are far overshadowed by the incredible amount of weight you are guaranteed to lose. You will be able to fit into the most beautiful designer cremation urns, which will leave friends and family speechless with jealousy. All those too-tight clothes from years past can join in your new weight-burning adventure, and even jewelry that you haven’t been able to wear since your high school days will fit better than ever before. After losing around 95% of your body weight, even a dehydrated Calista Flockhart will be jealous of how little you weigh.

The New Cremation Urn You
Your New Sleek Look

As if that wasn’t enough, research has also shown that those who have gone through the crème diet also face far less stress in their day-to-day lives and have also been found to scatter themselves and travel the world with their families more often than those who haven’t undertaken the life-changing cremation technique. Just imagine yourself in a new, gorgeously ornate cremation urn and leaving your presence on sandy beaches and all your favorite cities across the globe. Finally with the use of cremation jewelry your family and friends can have you with them wherever they go.

All this and more can be yours with Dr. Oz’s new, proven weight loss method. Now all you have to do is pick which designer cremation urn you want to be shown off in then sit back and enjoy your new 4 -6 pound lifestyle.
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Thai Man Marries Dead Girlfriend

On January 4, 2012, an extraordinary Buddhist wedding ceremony transpired in Surin, Thailand. On that day 28-year-old Chadil Deffy, a television director also known as Deff Yingyuen, took his girlfriend of ten years, 29-year-old Sarinya Kamsook, also known as Anne, as his wife.

Cremation Services
Death Till We Part?

The bridegroom, clad in a black tuxedo complete with top hat and tails, was debonair and charming. The bride was a vision in a white satin strapless bridal gown featuring a miniskirt and ornamented with lace and pearls. Fishnet stockings embellished her legs, and in her hands, she held a red and white bridal bouquet.

The bride remained silent and did not object to the marriage. As the groom proclaimed his undying love for his bride, he slipped a diamond ring on her finger as a symbolic representation of his eternal love. This touching and endearing demonstration of everlasting love broadcasted on nationwide television in Thailand.

The unconventional issue concerning this romantic and charming marriage ceremony was not the bride’s unusual attire. Instead, it was the undeniable fact that the wedding ceremony had taken place posthumously and that the new bride was actually deceased at the time that the consolidated marriage/funeral service occurred.  The groom purportedly betrothed her out of tremendous despair and remorse.

In a typical love scenario, the happy couple became acquainted with each other and fell in love a decade earlier at Eastern Asia University in Thailand. The couple had previously planned to get married, but had postponed the wedding repeatedly because of their hectic schedules. Yingyuen had been pre-occupied with completing his degree and Kamsook was focusing on her career.

Regrettably, destiny intervened. On January 3, 2012, the couple found themselves in an automobile accident that resulted in catastrophic injuries to Anne. She was then rushed to an overcrowded emergency room of a nearby hospital. Rather than sending her to an alternative hospital that would be able to treat her injuries immediately, the workers reportedly waited six hours to attend to her, during which time she succumbed to her injuries and perished.

Jewelry To AshesThe matter at hand is whether the groom was a truly a grieving sweetheart, or rather an opportunist searching for a claim to fame. The bridegroom who had the ceremony videotaped also uploaded it to the social networking website Facebook, where he entitled the video, Corpse Bride. Subsequently, he published the video to YouTube where it ultimately proceeded to go viral.

Despite the fact that it’s apparent that he regretted that he had not married the woman he dearly loved while she was still living, his ulterior motives for videotaping the ceremony remain ambiguous. Tremendous grief can make people do abnormal things, but to use a publicity stunt to benefit from the demise of a loved one is excessive.

Regardless of the indisputable fact that he kept his commitment to his bride, he would potentially have been better thought of if this had been a private display rather than a televised event. Irrespective of his motives, from this fiasco you will discover lessons that we all can gain knowledge from. Our lives are way too short, and we should never delay until tomorrow what we could do today. Tomorrow could be too late, as this young man has learned all too well.

Kamsook’s burial occurred immediately following the ceremony and students carefully placed death wreaths throughout the grounds of the university that the couple attended in honor of the deceased bride. On the upside, a couple of things relating to this union are certain. The bride and groom will never argue, and if things don’t work out, the groom won’t be required to hand over half of his possessions.

This particular wedding is a perfect illustration of why funeral planning is so crucial. The bride undoubtedly would not have desired to have her deceased body exhibited for the entire world. However, if your loved ones don’t know what you want, despair and grieving can lead to unconventional funeral arrangements.

Many people these days are opting for cremation over burial. Cremation services offer family members additional time to organize the funeral service or memorial service. With additional time to prepare you can notify more family members, which frequently generates a significantly better turnout for the funeral.

Cremation urns for ashes are an excellent way to keep your loved one with you as you safeguard their earthly remains. In exactly the same way, cremation jewelry for ashes, which is either filled with the ashes or made from the ashes of your loved one, is an excellent solution for keeping your loved one in close proximity to your heart.
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Nancy Burban Interviews Jeff Staab on the Greening of Cremation

Nancy Burban: It is my pleasure to interview Jeff Staab, a funeral director for over 20 years and a renowned cremation solutions specialist. He is also the owner of www.lifetreefarm.com , a provider of green cremation products and services to funeral homes. For the past 20 years, Jeff has been the leading authority on scattering ashes.

Jeff Staab: Thank you, Nancy for chatting with me about green cremation products and scattering of ashes.

Nancy: We’ve been friends for many years and since we are both very invested in “green burials” and now “green cremation”, it made sense to ask you what you see on the horizon for both cremation and the greening of cremation.

Jeff: Let’s start with cremation. Cremation is the fastest growing disposition in the death care industry, not only in the USA, but worldwide. Over 43% of the population in the USA is now being cremated and over 50% in Canada. In some states like California, the numbers are approaching 70%.

Nancy: Why are some states like California so high?

Jeff: Two big reasons come to mind. First the high cost of burial plots in California. You can spend anywhere from $7,000 -$15,000 in some areas. That’s before the cost of a funeral. Second, many people are living longer and selling their burial plots to be able to afford food and shelter.

Nancy: A third reason is also because many people are eco-friendly. That is also a big factor in the new natural cremation aka alkaline hydrolysis growing in demand.

Jeff: Yes, absolutely. I cremation takes the focus off the body and let’s people focus more on the life. It also gives the family more time to create a more personalized event that reflects more on the unique qualities of the life lived.

Nancy: Jeff, you are undoubtedly the go to person for both cremation and memorialization. Can you share what new trends that you are seeing nationwide?

Jeff: With the combination of Baby Boomers seeking personalization and the eco-friendly green movement, we are seeing more and more survivors turning to nature to connect with life and each other. In fact in a poll was conducted by The Wirthlin Report and  when people were asked to choose a memorial, the #1 choice was a living memorial such as a tree. Trees not only mark a life well lived, they also create a space of comfort and healing. Recent studies have shown that patients in hospital rooms with a view of trees heal faster and school children learn better when exposed to green spaces. Trees help us to experience our natural heritage and connect with our deeply held spiritual and cultural values.

Nancy: That’s very interesting. Are these trees given at visitation or a celebration?

Jeff: Funeral Directors can  offer living trees to client families for their families and to share with those in attendance, as a way of remembering and memorializing the decedent’s life. When a living tree is not practical, alternatives are available like seed packets or a tree planting program. It’s a beautiful, eco-friendly, green product with the personalization that families appreciate and treasure.

Nancy: Jeff, you are also a big advocate of scattering. Are there any new trends in this area?

Jeff: Yes, I have been working with a company out of Israel who offer a unique service in which families can send their loved one’s cremains, or part of the cremains to the Holy Land, where Jesus lived and have them professionally scattered in a protected, sacred garden.  It’s called Holyland Ash Scattering It’s a very spiritual type of celebration. Families receive a DVD of the ceremony & a numbered certificate of scattering.

Nancy: That seems like a beautiful way to deal with families who are conflicted about cremation. Send your loved ones back to the birth of civilization.  Can the loved ones visit the site?

Jeff: Yes, you can visit the site and pilgrimages to the Holy Land are life changing. The families can also watch the DVD on the one year anniversary if they cannot visit the Holy Land.

Nancy: What other trends are you seeing with cremation?

Jeff: Cremation jewelry is increasing. Jewelry that holds the loved one’s ashes or Fingerprint jewelry which is jewelry made from a fingerprint etched in silver and gold are popular. You can even get a cremation diamonds and cremation crystals made from a loved one’s ashes.

There are also some beautiful wooden urns and ceramic urns which are a work of art that are becoming popular. Personalization is the commonality. Baby Boomers want memorialization.

Nancy: So, the prevailing theme is eco- friendly, green and personalization?

Jeff: Especially with cremation. People want ceremonies. They want to leave a part of themselves behind to be remembered.

First a Scattering Urn, Then a Birdhouse!

For example, Birdhouse Memorial Urns are starting to catch on. They’re designed to enhance the memorialization process and stimulate ceremony for families who choose to scatter the ashes of their loved ones. Death care experts have often say that families who choose to scatter, should either mark the location of the ashes with a memorial or when that is not possible have a memorial placed close to home. It is important for the grief process to have a focal point where survivors may come to reflect and hold on to precious memories.

Nancy: Bird Houses? They’re beautiful but how does that work?

Jeff: Well, they are elegant enough to be displayed during any part of the funeral process and functional in the way they are easily able to disburse the earthly remains back into nature.

After the ashes are scattered the urn converts into a fully functional, beautiful birdhouse. They provide a lasting tribute as a true Living Memorial.

Nancy: Great idea, especially for the many “Birders” and nature lovers who are seeking unique ways to scatter their cremains. So, let’s go full circle and discuss scattering. Is it becoming the new trend?

Scattering AshesJeff: Finally!  I have been advocating scattering for many years and now scattering is the fastest growing disposition of cremated remains. It is now the #1 choice compared to other options. Those that choose to scatter are having a higher satisfaction rate than those that choose other options. I estimate that over 50% of those being cremated are now scattering. According to the Wirthlin Report up to 59% of interviewed in a recent poll said they prefer scattering. From exotic locales like Bali or Tahiti to the Grand Canyon to the San Francisco Bridge to the Holy Land, everyone has an idea of where their final resting place would be & that’s where they want to be scattered.

Nancy: Thank you Jeff for sharing your insights to cremation, scattering and some of the new trends out there.

Jeff: It’s been my pleasure. If anyone wants to know more about the new trends or about the ones I spoke about, they can find me on Facebook. I would be happy to discuss this exciting topic. Please check out and “Like” my Facebook page Click Here

Reach Nancy Burban at nburban@sbcglobal.net

http://www.facebook.com/NancyBurban

She’d love to hear your feedback.

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Vatican Prefers Burial and Opposes Scattering Ashes

Lord knows Christians are scattering ashes in locations that are both meaningful and beautiful. Favorite fishing holes, golf courses, mountain vistas, parks and beyond. It doesn’t seem to matter where they as far as the Vatican is concerned. no where is good enough!

The second Italian-language edition of the ‘Funeral Rites’, produced by the Vatican Publishing House, was presented recently at the headquarters of Vatican Radio. Among other things, the new edition contains fully revised biblical texts and prayers.

The first innovation refers to the visit to the family, which was not part of the earlier edition. Msgr Angelo Lameri of the National Liturgical Office of the Italian Episcopal Conference, explained how “for a priest this a moment to share in the suffering, to listen to the mourning relatives, to learn about certain aspects of the deceased’s life with a view to a correct and personalised presentation during the funeral”.

Thou Should Not Scatter!

Another change involves the revised and enriched ritual for the closing of the coffin; with a number of different texts for various situations: an elderly person, a young person, or someone who has died unexpectedly.

Other changes involve the pronouncement of words recalling of the deceased at the moment of the committal, and the introduction of a broad range of possibilities for the prayer of the faithful.

However the most significant new departure, contained in the appendix of the book, concerns cremation. Msgr Lameri explained that the issue of cremation had been placed in an appendix to highlight the fact that the Church, “although she does not oppose the cremation of bodies, when not done ‘in odium fidei’, continues to maintain that the burial of the dead is more appropriate, that it expresses faith in the resurrection of the flesh, nourishes the piety of the faithful and favors the recollection and prayer of relatives and friends”.

In exceptional cases, the rites normally celebrated at the cemetery chapel or the tomb may be celebrated at the cremation site, and it is recommended that the coffin be accompanied to that site. One particularity important aspect is that “cremation is considered as concluded when the urn is deposited in the cemetery”. This is because,
although the law does allow ashes to be scattered in the open or conserved in places other than a cemetery, “such practices … raise considerable doubts as to their coherence to Christian faith, especially when they conceal pantheist or naturalistic beliefs”.

The new ‘Funeral Rites’ also focuses on the search for the meaning of death. Concluding the presentation, Bishop Alceste Catella, president of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgy, explained that “the book is testament to the faith of believers and to the importance of respect and ‘pietas’ towards the deceased, respect for the human body even when dead. It is testament to the pressing need to cultivate memory and to have a specific place in which to place the body or the ashes, in the profound certainty that this is authentic faith and authentic humanism”.

Here at Cremation Solutions we understand people are going to do what they want and often for disregard for the the rules of their church leaders. In the Jewish faith for example, cremation is strictly forbidden, yet I recent spoke recently to the owner of a Jewish funeral home in Florida who said he is now cremating 35% of the Jews he serves. He does not promote cremation at all, yet people continue to request it. Next thing you know dogs will be living with cats and watching kitty porn!

Christians now can choose to be scattered in the holiest land in all the world. Funeral homes are now working with a company called Holyland Ash Scattering. The company makes it easy to be scattered in their own private memorial scattering garden in Israel. Right along side the Jesus trail, where Jesus lived and taught his followers. People you use this service to return to the holy land are thrilled to be able to lay to rest the earthly remains of their loved ones on such sacred and protected grounds. Survivors can make the pilgrimage in the future and visit the memorial garden and reflect on the life that was, as they gaze out over the sea of Galilee. A popular trend now for people who choose to scatter, is to retain a portion of the ashes. With so many using cremation jewelry to keep and hold their loved one close to their heart and keepsake sized urns. I wonder what the Vatican thinks of people wearing jewelry that holds a portion of ashes. We may have to wait a couple hundred years to find out.

Scattering Ashes in the Holy Land
Serving Funeral Homes Everywhere

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A Fitting Farewell: Marines Scatter the Ashes of Their Fallen Comrade in a Daring Skydive

A group of high flying Marines recently paid tribute to their daredevil colleague in a spectacular group sky dive as they scattered the ashes of Sergeant Brett Jaffe in mid air, while in a group free fall thousands of feet above the Arizona desert. People have been getting increasingly creative with the final act of scattering ashes. Appropriately this group of brave marines choose the Phillips drop zone on the Yuma proving grounds in Yuma Arizona.

Marines Scattering Ashes
How did they do that with the American Flag

Speaking to Home Post, The Military Life, Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Marty Rhett said: ‘It was an honor and privilege to take this Marine on his last jump and give him a proper hail and farewell.’

Ashes Scattered in Perfect Location
He Would Approve

Sergeant Jaffe had served in the Marines for 11 years. While stationed in Reno he met his wife Elizabeth and married in 2005. Together they traveled the world and enjoyed action adventures including jet skiing, snowboarding, motorcycling and hiking.

Sgt Jaffe, 41, was killed in a Jet Ski accident on July 15 at the Boca Reservoir in Northern California. The skydive took place just last week. Brett would have done the same for one of his buddies.

What would you do for a friend or family member that wanted to be scattered to the four winds. Here at Cremation Solutions we are hearing more and more stories of adventure on the road to final farewells. Often survivors can not choose just one special and meaningful location, so they scatter the ashes in multiple locations. Its a win win! Often a small amount of ashes are saved for other memorial options such as cremation jewelry and mementos of eternal meaning. Their really is no wrong or right way. With ash scattering even the sky is not the limit as demonstrated by these creative comrades.

Their are even professional scattering services now that can fulfill your scattering wishes. Boats, planes, balloons and space are all options. A new company called Holyland Ash Scattering can even scatter your ashes in the land where Jesus taught and performed miracles of biblical proportions. Now your ashes can rest eternal on this sacred ground.

Where and how would you want your ashes scattered. Its OK be creative, we love to hear from you at Cremation Solutions

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Fingerprint Jewelry

Fingerprint jewelry is the ultimate in personal custom jewelry.

Silver Shown With Optional Birthstone

Each piece is as unique as our own fingerprints. Nature has graced each of us with our own natural signature. Now with a simple ink kit and the magic of scanning technology, we can replicate anyone’s fingerprint and even our pets paw prints in beautiful one of a kind jewelry. We create high quality precious metal fingerprint jewelry using the old age process of lost wax casting. The patented process used to create our unique collection of fingerprint jewelry, transforms a simple ink print into stunning jewelry keepsakes that will be cherished for years to come. The ink kit is free with any order and if you already have taken the prints we can use them too. We prefer whenever possible the original prints and not copies. Black ink on white line free paper works best. For children under the age of two and under, fingerprints are not fully developed, so for them we use whole hand and footprints, also captured in our supplied ink kits. Pets can supply paw prints as well as nose prints.  One we have obtained the prints, we will select the best part of the best print. The print is laser etched in wax and the wax is cast. Every detail is captured in sterling silver or 14 kt gold. Each is cut and polished by skilled craftsmen. It will take 3 – 4 weeks to receive the jewelry. Each week we complete one step in the process and we start every Monday.

As if fingerprint jewelry isn’t already personal enough we can further personalize each piece with custom engraving at no additional cost.

A birthstone or diamond can also be added. We also have the ability to do custom work as well. You can order fingerprint jewelry pendants with a chain or use your own. Everything is made right here in the USA and shipping is free. We never use any precious metal clay in any part of our process.

Fingerprint jewelry is for sharing, for staying connected to those we care about and reinforcing relationships. Parents  can hold close the touch of their children. It is also a nice way to remember those we have loved and lost. Sharing fingerprint jewelry is a creative and personal way for family and friends to bond the relationships we have with each other. To wear fingerprint jewelry is to feel the memories and cherish to their touch forever. Each piece an heirlooms destined to be  passed on.

Couples can swap prints and even create fingerprint wedding bands.

Friends will always feel connected when wearing fingerprint jewelry.                                                       Fingerprint jewelry “Dog Tags” have become popular with those serving in the military.For those who serve and those in waiting for their safe return home. Pet parents can cherish the unconditional love and touch of their loyal companions. No matter who the fingerprint jewelry is for, we will be here to help guide you along the way. So you can be sure your fingerprint jewelry will be all you had hoped for.

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