As cremations service continue to rise, Ash scatterings are becoming very popular. Many of your clients will do ash scatterings, and they need options. Tying into this market can produce a rewarding income stream for you.
A Scattering Service is not as simple as it may seem. There are many considerations to doing it properly and professionally. In our industry, you only get one chance to do it right. Clients demand top service.
We specialize in scattering cremation services and have one of the best scattering locations in the world. Your clients will appreciate our professionalism and first-class approach to scattering. We are the best at what we do; you and your clients will appreciate the exceptional service and attention we give you.
This is a partnership. Simply suggest us to your client during the funeral planning and we will take care of the rest. They will be extremely satisfied with the recommendation you gave them. And we will compensate you a handsome commission for each referral.
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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 TheWirthlin 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?
Jeff: 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
As 44 percent of Americans opt for cremation, questions arise regarding the ashes’ final disposition. Many people consider scattering, but they experience uncertainty when seeking a final resting place that holds both meaning and a spiritual connection with their earthly body and loved ones. Holy Land Ash Scattering offers a solution that resounds within the hearts, minds and souls of Christians: scattering ashes in the Holy Land.
Two thousand years ago, our Lord and Savior, a man renowned for incredible compassion, kindness and love, walked the earth and spread his wisdom. Jesus Christ walked, lived and taught in the Mount of Beatitudes lush, rolling foothills. How often did he stand with the Mount behind him and spread his word whilst gazing upon the serene waters of the Sea of Galilee? Imagine the calmness, the peacefulness, of sitting in such a glorious setting and listening to such an incredible man.
Now, imagine the comforting tranquility that comes from knowing your, or a loved one’s, ashes rest along the same ground upon which Jesus once trod.
However, the ashes are not scattered to the wind. Privately owned land lies nestled within the foothills of the Mount of Beatitudes. The land, overlooking the Sea of Galilee much the same as Jesus must have, exists as a park dedicated to scattering ashes of Christians seeking eternal rest within the Holy Land.
The Jesus Trail in the Holy Land
Because this park is owned privately and dedicated to the sanctity of eternal rest, you need never fear that scattered ashes will trespass where they should not. The fear of eternal trespass rather than eternal rest is a thought decidedly uncomfortable, and this is one fear that delays people when they try to decide upon a final location on their own.
Holy Land Ash Scattering removes that fear for you; it also removes worries that the final resting place will be trampled by tourists and trespassers – this park is neither a public place nor a thoroughfare.
If, on the other hand, you or your loved one holds a deep affinity for water, scattering ashes can take place in the warm, beautiful waters of the Sea of Galilee.
Sea of Galilee
Our certified marine captain will pilot a vessel only 500 meters from the coast of Israel, the Holy Land, to perform a scattering ceremony. The ashes will then find rest in one of the most incredibly scenic bodies of water seen in this world.
Regardless of a land or sea scattering, the package includes a professional video of the ceremony. Capturing the ceremony on video, provided to you as both a DVD and a YouTube link, allows you to share the scattering ceremony with friends and family. It also gives you the opportunity to take comfort in the total serenity of the sacred resting place anytime you feel the need. The DVD will remain a cherished treasure, especially among those unable to travel to the Holy Land to scatter the ashes themselves.
Unfortunately, most people find travel costs prohibit them from attending the scattering ceremony of their loved one. By entrusting Holyland Ash Scattering with your loved ones resting place, the total package gains you admission to the serene park at any time you find yourself able to visit the Holy Land. You have a standing invitation to sit, contemplate the unparalleled scenery, and commune with your loved ones spirit in a resting place befitting the many Christians there eternally at rest.
The Necessary Details
Your only requirements are to sign up for Holyland Ash Scattering, fill out an authorization form, pack the ashes for shipping according to provided instructions, and send two or three pictures of your loved one to be included in the tribute DVD. The total package takes care of everything else: applying for permits and licenses, all administrative work, the shipping and the performance and recording of the scattering ceremony. You need not worry about the nitty-gritty detail work.
Our Private Memorial Scattering Garden
If you are contemplating your own eternal rest or seeking perfect placement for the long-held ashes of a loved one, sign up with Holy Land Ash Scattering. Find peace and comfort in the knowledge that scattering ashes will take place in the land held most sacred by the Christian population.
Cremation is the fastest growing disposition in the death care industry, not only in the USA, but worldwide. 44% of the population in the USA is now being cremated and over 60% in Canada.
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. We estimate that more than 60% 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 to all other options.
In the past marketing cremation scattering urns has been challenging. The beautiful selection of urns for scattering now available at Cremation Solutions fill this need for products that allow people to fulfill their desire to scatter and also ad dignity to the scattering ceremony itself.
Urn That Coverts To Birdhouse!
Our brand new line of Birdhouse Memorial Scattering Urns are both functional and provide a beautiful memorial that provides a new home for our fine feathered friends. We have had nothing but praise from families who have already scattered with our birdhouse urns. Even the birds that move in are looked upon with appreciation as they are now connected to the life of the person we love.
People that scatter are encouraged by grief experts to provide a lasting memorial for their loved one. Our scattering urns are the only urns that convert into a memorial.
In a recent funeral industry poll, when asked what type of memorial people would choose, the #1 answer was a Living Memorial. Our patented line of Birdhouse Memorial Urns are the only urns in the world that convert into a living memorial.
People choose to scatter because they consider it to be a more natural way to return to the earth. Our products address this desire to be in harmony with nature at the time of death more than any others.
The second most popular place to scatter cremated remains is on the family property, especially in the garden. The most popular spot to place a birdhouse is in the garden, so you see using a birdhouse memorial urn to scatter and then install as a memorial in the garden just makes sense.
Cremation Solutions is owned and operated by Jeff Staab, a funeral director with over twenty years experience. Being a bit of a tree huger himself, Jeff is excited knowing that every time someone uses one of these new urns, that another family of birds will soon move into a new deluxe home that will last for generations.
Scattering ashes is now the preferred choice disposition for the majority of people who choose cremation. Places of natural beauty and special meaning are often selected as the final resting place for those scattered near and far. Locations are limitless but two popular choices stand out. Into the sea is very popular throughout the world. Closer to home, scattering into the garden is the preferred choice. If you think about it the garden is a micro world where the full cycle of life continues year after year. It is hard to feel more connected to the earth then when we work with nature in our gardens. Working the soil is a deep rooted and natural cycle that humans have benefited from since ancient times. As we reap the harvest and admire the beauty of the garden, a spiritual connection is ever present. Its no wonder why so many choose the garden as their final place of rest.
Just like when the funeral industry created biodegradable scattering urns for those who scatter at sea, a new way to scatter in the garden will now harmonize with nature to memorialize the dead. Introducing Birdhouse Memorial Urns!
Birdhouse Urns
These urns serve as beautiful and functional scattering urns, that following the scattering ceremony, convert into a memorial birdhouse, providing a true “Living Memorial”
Birdhouse Urns Provide:
• A dignified vessel to hold the ashes and display at funeral ceremonies.
• A functional scattering urn that will easily disperse our loved one’s remains back to the earth.
• A lasting living memorial that will give survivors a necessary place to visit, remember and heal for years to come.
Birdhouse Memorial Urns are the natural choice for many:
They are a natural way to go back to the earth and continue the cycle of life. As birds come and go with the seasons to build their nest and raise their young, the cycle of life continues. These memorial not only provide shelter to our winged friends, but also give comfort to the survivors when they come to these places of rest. Birds often remind us of a sense of freedom and oneness with nature that many of us yearn for. Watching the birds provides us with tranquil moments in time that help us reflect on the lives of our loved one’s for generations to come.
Birdhouse Memorial Urns Are:
• A memorial that will live on
• Earth Friendly
• Creates Wildlife Habitat
• A place to come where spirits will soar and memories will fly
• A place where life goes on
Birdhouse Memorial Urns come with everything you need to convert them into a memorial birdhouse. They also come with a handmade cast paper heart that is embedded with seeds. You may plant this heart in memory and beautiful forget me-not flowers will grow year after year.
Jeff Staab, a funeral director and owner of Cremation Solutions got the idea a few years ago when he was selling a traditional scattering urn to a client family in rural Vermont. The family wanted to scatter the ashes of their father in his favorite meadow on their property. They like the idea of the scattering urn and the way it functioned, but asked what would they do with it after the scattering. Jeff suggested that they screw it to a tree and drill a hole in the side so that the birds that lived in the meadow could use it for a home. The family love the idea. A year later the mother died and they requested the same scattering urn so that mom could also have her own memorial birdhouse. These were the first birdhouse memorial urns. Now their are several unique styles to reflect on one’s individual taste and style. Please don’t tell the birds why they are getting such classy new homes, we wouldn’t want them to fell guilty about their new dwellings.
Here at Cremation Solutions we know that the scattering of ashes just comes naturally to some families. A favorite swimming hole, ski trail, the 18th hole. Especially places that are already a traditional visit for a family may one day become even more sacred when our earthly remains one day become one with the special places we love.
To have the insight to say “This is my special place” often does not come natural. Just scatter me is just not enough! So as you are getting along in your life and sharing and exploring for your “Special place”, be sure to share it with other so they will know to grant your final wish.
On a bright, sultry morning a few weeks ago, my family hiked up the small, blueberry-topped mountain that lies a few miles from the summer home my in-laws own in the wilds of New Hampshire.
When we reached the summit, Theresa set her pack on a granite boulder, looked out to the forested horizon and made the announcement that’s become a standard feature of our annual trek into local blueberry territory: “Now don’t forget,” my wife said to me, our two teenage daughters and, seemingly, the universe. “This is where I want to be buried when I die.”
We hardly needed the reminder. Theresa has talked long and openly about her final wishes. Even in grade school our daughters could (and sometimes did) recite the brief of her burial plans to their astonished classmates: My Mama wants to be cremated, have her ashes put in a paper bag and buried under a blueberry bush in New Hampshire.
The blueberry mountain is, our girls know, Theresa’s special place. From early childhood on, my wife has been coming to this lush and verdant hill, to hike, pick blueberries, and for at least a few hours commune with a natural world that couldn’t look any more pristine and untrammeled. Stand at the peak beside the lone fire tower here and all you’ll see is a hilltop overrun in blueberry and raspberry bushes and, beyond, stretching into the far distance in every direction, an undulating and unbroken landscape of trees.
For almost fifty years, Theresa has absorbed this place. Its clean air has filled her lungs; its colors and calm and rhythms have filled her being. In all that time, this wooded corner of the Granite State has, metaphorically but also quite literally, become a part of who she is. Of course, she would want to return here at the end.
When it comes, my wife’s Ash scattering / burial on blueberry mountain will rejoin her with the elements that so infused and inspired her in life. At the last, she will simply be one with her beloved patch of earth. And when she is, her children can come and find their mother in Mother Nature — in these blueberry bushes and red maples, on the winding trail up this mountain and at its peak — where she lives on.
A green scattering or burial of her ashes can save us money. It’s good for the planet, hews to honorable tradition, and celebrates our loved ones. More than all that, it returns our departed to the natural cycle of life — of life and death, decay and rebirth — that turns forever. And in that way, gains them immortality.
Often people do not specify where they want to be scattered and survivors who want to do the right thing will ponder forever just where is that special place. Ashes go into storage as this now gets put off because no one can agree or conclude the place of final rest. As result guilt and lack of closure may eat at the conscious of our family for years to come.
The Holy Land
Now for many that have been interred to the closet the answer is easy. What better a place then the land where Jesus lived and taught. A very special memorial scattering garden has now been opened to the public to scatter the ashes of their loved one’s in the Holy Land. This protected garden has been set aside just for this purpose by Holyland Ash Scattering. This professional service in now available through any funeral home. Millions of Christians make the pilgrimage to this sacred land for a truly life changing experience. Now they have the option of becoming one with this land for all eternity.
Private Memorial Scattering Garden
Its not too late learn how you can have a professional and dignified scattering ceremony in the holiest of all the lands. Survivors will receive and DVD of the entire ceremony that will be cherished for generations and start new traditions that will take away the guessing game of just what is the perfect place.
Watch a Video of our Sacred Scattering Garden Here
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.
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.
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.’
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
It is estimated that seven percent of the world’s Christians, over 150 million people make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land every year. Since the 1950s, millions of Christians have traveled to the Holy Land to visit the historic sites associated with Jesus’ life and death. The Holy Land is one of the most popular tourist destinations on earth.
Looking Across the Sea of Galilee to Mt Beatitudes
Why do so many visit the Holy Land? The Holy Land has witnessed the origins and early history of three of the world’s great religions: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. With earth that has been walked by Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus, the apostles, and the Prophet Muhammad, the Holy Land has been a sought-after destination from ancient times until today. History stands still here. In Jerusalem, Jews still pray at the Western Wall, Christians still visit the place where Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb, and Muslims still worship at the ancient Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque
Some Christians are spiritual and therefore more place-centered, whereas Catholic pilgrims are more focused on the Bible and a “personal relationship” with Jesus. There are also those whose pilgrimage is initiated by life cycle transitions such as the death of a spouse, retirement and the birth of grandchildren. For all it’s the journey of a lifetime.
Pilgrimage is both ordinary and extra-ordinary, since pilgrims leave home in a dramatic way, often for the first time. Pilgrimage to the Holy Land is the one way Christians travel with the purpose of stabilizing and preserving their faith.
Most pilgrims report that their journey to the Holy Land was a life changing experience. Some feel transformed and at peace with themselves. Still others report a renewed awareness of their spiritual roots. For each traveler, the experience is different. In the words of Martin Buber -“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.”
Behold the Spectacular Beauty of the Holy Land
For the Christian, a pilgrimage to the Holy Land is the ultimate spiritual journey to the birthplace of Christianity, to the place where “the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us”. Attesting to its’ powerful impact on the visitor; William Johnston, author of the acclaimed handbook on the Holy Land, says: “Here the pilgrim who is open to God’s grace will be deeply enriched in the Faith, for the mind will be filled with the awesome wonder of so many sacred shrines and this will be cemented in the heart never to fade”.
If a pilgrimage to the Holy Land changes lives and is the ultimate spiritual journey for millions of people during their lifetime, returning to this sacred place after our lives are completed would be the ultimate final destination. For those choosing cremation, your final resting place can be the Holy Land. Your ashes can be placed in a private garden overlooking the Sea of Galilee. HolyLand Ash Scattering can place your ashes in the most spiritual place on earth, for all eternity.
Private Memorial Scattering Garden
Holy Land Ash Scattering has a private garden overlooking the Sea of Galilee, near Tabatha, the Mount of Beatitudes. It is the traditional site of Jesus’ delivery of the Sermon on the Mount, probably the most famous sermon of all time. Pilgrims have been drawn to this historic place since the 4th century. After your journey in life is complete, you can choose to return to the birthplace of civilization for all time.
HolyLand Ash Scattering can make your final pilgrimage to the Holy Land possible. Your ashes can only be scattered once. Let HolyLand Ash Scattering perform a sacred ceremony and honor your memory. Complete the circle of life and find your forever home .
Judy had not opened the box the funeral director had handed her almost a year ago. Just holding the bag when he handed it to her had made her knees buckle and she had to sit before falling. The reality was the earthly remains of her husband were inside the box and she just couldn’t face the reality that his glorious body has been reduced to a few pounds of ash. The scattering was to be in a month and the 6 x 6 box had never been opened. It was slowly building on her nerves and she knew she didn’t want the scattering ceremony to be the first time she confronted the reality. She knew she wanted to see , feel and smell the ashes in private before the ash scattering event. One sleepless night she knew it was time, her hand’s shook as cut away the brown tape and opened the box. She removed a twist tie from the plastic bag inside the box and there was John!. Tears fell like rain drops as she ran her finger through the John’s ashes.
Cremation Ashes
She had read that the ashes were heavy and course. They were grayish and white and she imagined johns spirit talking to her as she examined the bits and pieces of bone ash. Her larger than life husband and best friend was now in the palm of her hand. She stroked the ashes and as marveled at the strange reality that seemed so unreal.
As she regained control of her emotions and feelings she realized the remains were still beloved and sacred. Nothing was scary anymore. She had already been devastated by her loss months ago and nothing could compare with the actual loss of her husband. Though she knew he was not in the box, she gained comfort speaking to the ashes and thanking John for the years of love. She could now be comfortable as she walked past the ashes as they rested on the mantel. Her sister had purchased an urn that was made for the scattering of ashes and together they put the ashes inside. Having the ashes in the handsome wood scattering urn made Judy remember his fondness of nature and trees. Her sister told her that after the scattering on Johns favorite hiking trail the urn was specially designed to serve as a memorial birdhouse that they would put in John’s garden.
As a funeral director and crematory operator for over twenty years it is good for me to share Judy’s story as it serves as a reminder that we in the funeral business do not simply handle ashes and urns. Like bodies and caskets we are honored to be entrusted with the care of others loved one’s. Like our physical bodies, ashes are our earthly remains and should be treated as so. The idea that so many in this business still hand over the ashes when a cremation urn is not selected, in the ugliest cardboard or plastic we can find disgust me! At least they should use a fancy gift box or tasteful cardboard urn. The reflection on your funeral business is also questioned. The time I heard a family member telling a friend that the cremation cost $2000.00 and they gave mom back to us in this box. That’s all I needed to hear to know it was wrong.
I was visiting a funeral director in Maine a few years ago and I was impressed when he showed me how his funeral home turned the ashes over to the family. Once the ashes were signed for he would guide the family member or members to a tasteful quite side room. There on a table in the corner of the room stood the urn. The warm glow of a white tapered nice candle flickered beside the urn and a fresh red rose laid at the base of the Cremation urn. Once in the room he would invite them to sit on the couch and take as long as they needed as he left the room. Some would take a minute and some an hour. The important part was they had the time and space for themselves as long as they needed. When they were ready they would let him know and he would then come and place the urn in a tasteful bag and offer to carry it out to the car. I learned from him, how less traumatizing this simple and dignified this thoughtful handover of ashes could be and I never handed another cremation urn over in a funeral home bag again. Remember we are creating an experience for the families we serve, this is just one way to show you care and are sensitive to the needs of the families who have entrusted your services.
The majority of people choosing cremation today will also choosing to scatter the ashes of their loved one. Most do not know where, only that it should be a special and sacred location.
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