Has Covid-19 Increased The Cremations In The USA?

Cremation Solutions

The novel coronavirus, which was detected in the metropolitan area of Wuhan in China’s central Hubei province, continues to infect people around the world, including the United States. Since its discovery in late December, COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by coronavirus, has infected over 3 million individuals, resulting in over 215,000 fatalities all over the world. While Spain, Italy, France, and the UK have posted over 20,000 deaths each, the US has recorded over 1 million coronavirus cases, a third of the world’s total infections, and over 57,000 deaths. That has put pressure on funeral homes and crematories across the country. Funeral homes are having to adjust to delays and the sadness of low attended funerals.

In New York, the hardest-hit state by the pandemic, there have been over 17,000 COVID-19-related deaths from a total of 295,137 infections. However, New York City has been the epicenter of the disease in the state, recording over 162,000 cases and 11,708 deaths as of Tuesday, March 28. While state administrations and health officials report that the number of fatalities has reached the backside of the death curve, funeral-home and crematory workers, whose duty is to ensure the dead are laid to rest respectfully, say they have never been busier.

Misinformation About Cremation Orders by the Government

Delayed FuneralsAs America continues to grapple with the pandemic, several images and reports on social media offer misguided information about what happens after people die from coronavirus. One particular image went viral, telling people that once a person is deceased, they become the government’s property and will be incinerated without wakes or funeral services.

The report has elicited contradicting responses from state agencies, medical examiners, and funeral directors. The NY Funeral Directors Association responded to the matter, saying: “We haven’t seen or heard of such claims. Funeral Homes in the state are still operating under the state guidelines.” Additionally, the New York State Department of Health noted that funeral homes, crematories, and cemeteries, being essential businesses, were allowed to remain operational, despite other non-essential businesses remaining closed. The deceased require a proper send-off, complete with a wake, structured funeral, and burial. Nonetheless, funeral homes will be required to adhere to social distancing and only allow a limited number of attendees during these gatherings.

Funeral Homes Forced to Turn Away Grieving Families, Suggesting Cremation

Cremation BoxesWith the increasing number of deaths in the US continue to surge, the demand for funeral services has drastically spiked. Many funeral homes have exceeded their capacities, with some caskets lying in unsuitable areas such as the lobbies and corridors. For instance, the Funeral Director at Lawrence H Woodward Funeral Home in Brooklyn, Kendall Lindsay, said, “By the end of March, we had over 120 planned funeral services. As of April 5, the number had increased to 127. We are now compelled not to register any new cases because of the dwindling storage space.”

Throughout the city, staffs in mortuaries, morgues, and funeral homes continue to scramble and find space for new COVID-19-related deaths. “We currently have bodies that cannot be buried now. We will have to postpone the funeral services and hold them after at least one week or more,” said Lindsay, who was forced to turn away 20 families, leaving them with no other option but to cremate their loved ones with no wakes or proper funeral arrangements.

Although they may be dealing with many cases awaiting proper funeral arrangements, it is quite unprofessional of funeral homes to deny survivors to have a wake before the funeral and burial. It robs families of deceased persons of the much-needed condolences and support during such a difficult time. That goes against our human principles and sentimental values. Funeral services allow survivors to eulogize and share stories about the dead loved one, which is critical in ensuring that the deceased has a respectable send-off. In NY Bodies left unclaimed are usually buried by the State on Hart Island.

Hart Island

The Immense Backlog at Crematories

Following the decision by funeral homes to take any additional cases, many families have resorted to cremating the remains of their beloved. The situation has grown so dire, prompting cemetery directors to air their concerns, term it as the highest surge in demand that has never been experienced in many decades.

A significant fraction of the New York population prefers cremating the dead instead of burials. Typically, the four crematories located in the US most densely populated city could comfortably offer cremation services. Still, the coronavirus pandemic has rendered them inadequate to cater to the ever-increasing number of bodies waiting to be cremated. With such an unprecedented backlog of bodies in crematories, it is clear that outdated laws on burials and cremations to be amended. According to these statutes, cremation facilities can only be confined to cemeteries. While there are over 40 cemeteries across the five boroughs in New York, there is only a limited number of crematories.

Among the four facilities, one is located in Brooklyn, one in the Bronx, and the other two in Queens. The surge in the number of bodies has put pressure on resources in crematories. Currently, a location that used to cremate ten bodies each day now has to deal with a more significant daily workload of 15 bodies. Others have to cremate double the number of bodies they would in a single day. That has forced the state government to ease restrictions on air-quality regulations in the bid to allow crematories to extend their hours of operations. Still, many families continue to ring them at odd hours, making these locations busier than they ever been in decades.

Shortening the Wait: Covid-19 Victims Transported Upstate for Cremation

As a result of that, the pressure trickles down to hospitals where “new” dead bodies are presented in morgues in large numbers. Patients who have passed on now have to spend more time in the morgue because the “government restrictions have made it challenging for families to make quick funeral arrangements.” Furthermore, doctors and nurses are delaying signing death certificates because of the increasing backlog and newly reported cases that occur in their hundreds every day. That presents a big problem because bodies cannot be transported to crematory facilities without a complete death certificate.

The situation is so dire that caskets containing bodies of Covid-19 victims have filled funeral homes. The last resort is to transport them upstate to help families to access cremation services as quickly as possible.

Associate professor of mortuary sciences, Mr. David Penepent, who manages the funeral services administration program at the New York State University in Canton, started the “Hands with a Heart” initiative that works to transport the bodies to crematories in upstate New York and other neighboring states where there the number of bodies awaiting cremation is still manageable.

Mr. Penepent was overwhelmed when he was greeted by the astonishing number of cardboard caskets with bodies at one of the funeral homes in Queens. With help from his two students, they wheeled out the bodies, first lining them in the hallway, before gently laying the boxes in one of their two vans destined for a crematory outside New York.

Since the start of April, the Hands with a Heart program has transported decedents from overwhelmed cremation facilities and funeral homes to crematories in far-off places such as Pennsylvania and Vermont. According to Mr. Penepent, “These are not simply bodies. We are handling people with families who love them. Therefore, we do this with care, compassion, dignity, and respect.”

During the Easter weekend, the initiative had successfully moved 70 bodies, followed by 150 the following week, and last week, 300 bodies were transported. The program comes as a relief to grieving families that could have otherwise waited for days and even weeks to access cremation services. It has also eased the pressure off funeral homes and hospital morgues that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic.

Why Such a Backlog in Crematories During the Covid-19 Pandemic?

To curb the spread of the new coronavirus, the federal and state governments have laid down measures to try and control the transmission rate of the disease. Virtually every state went in lockdown with administrative officials urging people to practice social distancing. That meant that businesses were closed, reducing the income for many would-be-working Americans. Further, over 26 million have filed unemployment claims. That said, the economic crisis has forced families to turn to the economic appeal of cremation as the only option. Hopefully many will have full blown memorial services once social distancing is a memory.

Cremation Memorials Are More Important Than Ever!

With the lack of public funerals and the support that they bring to survivors. People are spending their money in more creative ways starting with visual online funerals and memorial pages where people can pay tribute from home. Keepsakes and jewelry that holds ashes inside is a way that people have been using to help bring comfort to the loss while keeping a physical part of their loved one closer, with no need to visit a cemetery.

Click Here For Our Full Selection of Crystals Made From Ashes
Crystal Gems Made From Ashes
Ashes in glass
               From Ashes Comes Art

 

 

 

Cremation Industry Adapts To Budding Marijuana Trend!

Before 1990, three out of every 10 U.S. citizens were cremated after death. Today, that number has doubled. In fact, cremation now accounts for the disposition of more then half of all Americans and is considered the norm rather than the exception in the 21st century. What else do we love to do in the 21st century “Smoke Weed”! And until now the two had nothing to do with each other. Cremation Solutions has answered the call.

Enter: Memorial Marijuana Pipes Made from Cremation Ashes!

Glass Cremation Keepsake Pipe
Shown in Sunflower

You can now use the cremated remains of any person or pet to create beautiful blown glass memorial cremation keepsake pipes. They are custom made works of art that not only look and function beautifully but also deliver powerful healing smoke to those in the know! Recreational or medicinal use of marijuana is legal in just about all 50 states. Over the past 30 years, research into the physical and mental benefits of smoking marijuana has been described in hundreds of peer-reviewed, academic journal articles. Pot not only decreases seizures, eases symptoms of autism and hyperactivity and alleviates physical pain but also treats depression and anxiety without inducing side effects caused by antidepressants. The anxiety and hopelessness associated with the grief of losing a loved one is often combated with weed. Combined with the way our ancestors have communicated with the spirit world with the use of fire and smoke makes these memorial cremation pipes the perfect choice. Smoke, connect and reflect!

Cremation Solutions provide customers with cremation urns, keepsakes and jewelry  to hold their loved ones’ ashes close to them. And now, we want to be the first in the cremation keepsake industry to offer beautiful, hand-crafted, ceremonial marijuana pipes infused with your loved one’s ashes. Heads everywhere are exhaling with a sign of relief.

We think the ceremonial aspect of smoking marijuana with a pipe created with the earthly remains of loved one or precious pet will enhance the healing process as well as your whole day! When you have the ashes of a loved one infused in a marijuana pipe, you can hold the ashes in your hand, smoke marijuana and take the time to reflect about the good times you had with your loved one. Enjoy ceremonially quiet times with your loved one. In a spiritual sense, using one of our handmade, marijuana pipes you will be drawn to gaze into the galaxy of swirling glass containing a loved one’s earthly remains and reflect.

Dealing with the grief and stress of losing a loved one takes time. Smoking marijuana in one of our exquisitely crafted pipes not only soothes your grief and anxiety but will comfort you like a plush couch and give you a deep sense of an eternal connection to your loved one.

Cremation Solutions believes our original pot pipes infused with cremation ashes provides an alternative way to commemorate and celebrate the life of someone you deeply loved. Jewelry and Urns are not for everyone. Many people prefer to scatter the ashes in a special place of meaning. Retaining some of the ashes has also shown to bring comfort to family and friends. These pipes are a functional piece of art that will surely connect you to a kind spirit world.

Kind Facts About Our Fabulous Memorial Marijuana Pipes  

Each pipe is made to order and comes with your loved one’s ashes attractively infused throughout the pipe. Ashes turn a brilliant white when the artist infuses them into the hot molten glass. The glass cures and the ashes can be seen eternally encased in beautiful artistic swirls of glass. It’s easy! When you place an order for one our memorial marijuana pipe, we will send you an ashes-collection kit. This kit allows you to safely mail a small sample of your loved one’s ashes directly to our artist. The kit is pre-addressed and postage paid so you can just drop it back in the mail. Since these are custom made to order, special design request are not a problem!

Within two to three weeks, your finished memorial smoking pipe is mailed to you, along with any unused cremation ashes. Rest assured we remain steadfastly committed to building the trust and respect of our customers for over 15 years! Our 100 percent guarantee regarding all our cremation keepsake products proves just how committed we are to exceeding the expectations of our customers.

Memorial Keepsakes for Non Smokers by Cremation Solutions

We also have other remembrance items to help hold the earthly remains of your loved one or pet. Custom glass keepsakes and jewelry with ashes infused into each piece. Another one of our most popular pieces of commemorative jewelry is our fingerprint jewelry. By etching or casting the fingerprint of a loved one who has passed onto a custom-designed piece of gold or silver pendants and rings, Cremation Solutions provides our valued customers with the ability to enhance the spiritual connection they have with a loved one. You can also use our unique fingerprint jewelry as a way to memorialize a birth, a wedding or a special relationship. In addition, we can adhere birthstones and crystals to fingerprint jewelry to further capture the soulful essence of anyone special to you.

Order Your Cremation Marijuana Pipe Today (Right Here)

If you have questions about this one-of-a-kind keepsake that you won’t find anywhere but Cremation Solutions, please contact us by calling 877-365-9474. We will be happy to answer your questions about ordering  ceremonial marijuana pipes.

Americans Avoiding Funerals and Not Leaving Their Mark!

Part I: Americans Not Making Their Mark and Avoiding Funerals

Funeral For Who
                                                    Want To Make Your Mark? Plan Your Funeral!

There are only three realities in life: birth, death, and taxes. The most profound and complex of the three is, of course, death. We have 9 months to prepare and plan a birth. We plan for our tax returns each year but many of us do not plan on dying! Not planning to die is not only foolish but selfish as well. The large unknown, that occurs after life, and the nature of death isn’t easy to think about for anyone. The notion that one day you’re here and the next it all will end, can be frightening to contemplate  for both oneself and others. You can “Go Out With a Bang” or fade away in a fizzle! Too many today don’t choose and lose.

 

After death, those most strongly affected are loved ones – not the person who passed away. Thus, funerals are for the living and in grief, these individuals are often required to make the decisions about the funeral, memorials and transitioning a loved one from alive to remembered. For some, this can be a challenge. It’s hard to accept the permanent end of life for someone who is dearly loved and will be sincerely missed. Planning a funeral means accepting that a loved one is really, truly gone or that you will be gone. As we are forced to face our own mortality or when no instructions or specific plans have been requested from the deceased in life, one may opt for avoiding any kind of traditional send off. As such, funerals are starting to fall out of vogue. It’s not uncommon for the younger generation to skip funerals entirely in favor of other, more simplistic unorganized gatherings that lack the finite nature of a funeral or a transition in life, without the life being acknowledged. Where is the acknowledgment of a life well lived? Where’s the beef?! Where is the support circle? What is the legacy?!

My Funeral

Today’s world is becoming increasingly “me” centered, with individuals focusing on their own wants and needs, rather than those around them. As virtual communication replaces face-to-face interactions, selfishness replaces selflessness and an evolution toward a self-involved attitude becomes normalized, there’s little motivation to consider what others may require.

Regardless of reasoning, choosing not to have a funeral of some kind is a very selfish option and can carry serious ramifications. Yes, a funeral is one of the most important “Gifts” you can give to the people you care about in your life. The more memorable experience you plan about your own valuable life, the more you will be remembered. Your life goals and beliefs of what is good for this world need not be taken to the grave. What you valued and strived for can and should be continued for many generations to come. These are the folks that will cement your legacy! Help Them! A funeral is an important part of the cycle of life and the cycle of grief. A good funeral or memorial is the foundation that people will move on from as they move to the next stepping stone of life. Despite the importance of the ritual, of a memorial ceremony, many Americans are still choosing to forgo tradition.

The Historical Prominence of Funerals

Irish Funeral ProcessionFunerals are not an American concept that is now being overlooked or even a Western concept. In reality, funerals have existed in countless different human societies for thousands of years, indicating the importance of honoring the dead to many ancient and modern people. Conservative estimates place the first human funerals around 300,000 years ago with evidence of burial ceremonies spanning across continents and cultures. Even animals have organized farewells. Elephants will go many miles for days just to visit with the earthly remains of friends and family.

The idea of acknowledging the end of life is not new, as is demonstrated by the rich historical tradition of celebrating the end of life. The alarming evolution of disregarding this important, cultural moment is only hurting, not helping – after all, funerals have a long legacy for a reason.

The Decline of Sentimentality

There’s no way around it: funerals are on the decline. There were around 1,500 fewer funeral homes in 2019 than there were in 2009. Even though more people than ever are dying each year (Boomers), funeral homes are going out of business at an alarming rate. Many people view spending thousands of dollars, on what often feels like a sad goodbye, to be frivolous and fruitless. This often results in it feeling like an expensive and labor-intensive task that is more stressful than beneficial to those doing the planning. Why pay for a funeral that is just like the last three funerals you attended? Where is the value in an impersonal, cookie cutter funeral inserted into a two thousand year old ceremony that has no meaning for today’s society? For this reason, it’s becoming more and more common for those closest to the deceased, like parents and friends, to give up on the idea of having a funeral entirely. With no foreseen value, they feel the money would be better spent on a fine caterer at the local clubhouse and survivors best attempt at some sort of tribute.

In many cases, however, the choice to forgo a funeral falls on the decedent. Too often, the word “just” is uttered in relation to funerals. People “just want to be cremated” or “just have their ashes distributed in a favorite place” and “just have a party”. The idea of permanence is fleeing the American mentality. Before and after death, the idea of leaving a mark is less common than ever before. This may be driven by a number of factors, from the perception of permanence in online activities to the increasingly nihilistic approach to life held by so many in the younger generations. In a disposable society,  just dispose of me! I’ve actually heard people say put my ashes in the trash “what do I care” I’ll be gone! As someone that worked many years as a funeral director, this disgusts me and is the epitome of selfishness.

Cash over Life
Chasing Dollars Can Cost You !

In American culture, the race to the top often means a focus on cash above all else. The classic line “Greed is Good” is bad! As the gap between the lower class and the upper class continues to widen, thanks to a failed two-party system of government, many Americans are underemployed and working multiple jobs just to meet simple life goals. The gig economy is alive and well, with adults choosing to work for companies like Uber and Lyft on nights and weekends just to make a little extra cash. While this sounds like a benefit in the present and immediate future, the ongoing quest for the Almighty Dollar can change long-term views on the world. When making a few hundred dollars requires hours behind the wheel, delivering people or packages, investing in something as seemingly useless as a funeral becomes much less important.

Regardless of the reasons, many Americans aren’t interested in leaving a mark or a legacy on the world. Instead, they are often concerned with the path of least resistance – “just” have me cremated and I’ll be gone – even when this mentality is to the significant detriment of others. Funerals provide a closure that no other form of remembrance can, and a failure to properly do so may be permanently harming the American psyche.

Part II: How Funeral Directors Are Failing

Funerals have long been considered a recession-proof industry. After all, everyone dies sooner or later. However, as of late, this is failing to be the case. As Americans continue to disregard the importance of funerals by adopting an increasingly blasé attitude toward life, death, and what comes after, it’s becoming more popular to ignore funerals and simply move on without much fanfare after the loss of a loved one.

Many industries have found themselves forced to change with the advent of the internet and the ways in which enhancements in technology have altered the human experience. The funeral industry is still stuck in days gone by. Funeral homes are often family-run operations, with traditions passed down from parent to child for generations. As such, there is little motivation to change how things have historically been done. Competing in an experience based society can be a disadvantage to the tradition of “The Body” based service steeped in age old ways.

Funeral Director with head up ass
Typical Funeral Director Response !

Most funeral directors are living in denial and failing to see the changes required in the funeral industry to avoid going extinct. Instead of staying flexible and working with the needs of consumers, funeral directors feel inclined to push  traditional services in a funeral home space with expensive burials of caskets and vaults. Much of how modern funeral homes operate is based on marketing techniques to funeral directors by American casket manufacturers.

This classic funeral concept has worked for generations, but today’s world is a very different place.

Traditional Funeral
nd gravestones. Burial and memorial s

The idea of a traditional funeral can be to some more of a burden than a blessing, and it’s something many Millennials and Gen-Xers who want the bare minimum will not embrace. Yet, even with this knowledge, funeral directors are actively resisting change and failing to meet the needs of an evolving market. Funeral directors want to stay strong against the “just” mentality of the modern American and, by shooting themselves in the foot in this manner, they are actively hurting their own industry as well as the perception of funerals overall. Sure, there are some standout funeral businesses that are more progressive that offer updated options and experienced based funerals but their prices will weed out many that are savvy enough to pull off a meaningful DYI memorial.

The Cost of Funerals

Funeral CostThe cost of the average funeral is not helping the declining funeral industry. Today, funerals are more expensive than ever, with the average funeral running close to $10,000 – and more if a pricey traditional casket is in use. This number can be outside the bounds of affordability for many families, but as the industry dwindles, there’s no wiggle room for many funeral directors attributed to stricter financial requirements.  There’s still pressure to push big, elaborate funerals, even on people who do not appear to want them. This has created a whole new player in the game. The discount cremation or cremation society and business is thriving. Direct cremation is $1000. -$2000! They can provide a “no frills” cremation for less than half the cost of the “classy funeral homes” that are trapped by the overhead of fancy buildings, auto’s and salaries. Instead of changing their business model, the family funeral home owners may opt to sell their valuable real estate and retire to the suburbs.

In spite of all this, funerals don’t have to be expensive. With the rise of cremation and the cost savings of urns and cremation keepsakes versus traditional caskets and burial vaults, it can actually be relatively affordable to hold a caring memorial for those who have been lost. Your local family owned funeral home can assist you with these simpler services for less then you think. However, this is largely unknown, even by those who are in favor of funerals, leading to a disinterest because of the perceived costs. Nothing saves money more than knowing what is wanted and desired before a death has accured.

The Federal Trade Commission maintains extensive rules regarding consumer rights in the funeral industry. Consumers must be permitted to purchase bits and pieces as needed, like embalming or cremation services but not caskets, in order to meet individual needs. Funeral directors are also required to be transparent with pricing, providing prospective customers with a general price list that includes the per-piece costs of all elements of products and services.

However, funeral homes are often focused on just getting the job done with no problems, rather than creating healing experiences.   The lazy approach have some choose to push larger packages on the faux principle of sentimentality. By taking this approach, funeral homes are essentially driving away business: Funeral Directors need to listen to what people need and withold  from promoting a large and expensive package that someone doesn’t want or need! It can be an upsetting experience that results in more harm than good. When the high cost of a funeral is combined with the evolving American mentalities, that appear to be pulling away from important traditions, far too many people are willing to just walk away, and that’s not Okay! By providing alternatives and new traditions, by educating and offering progressive options to todays family, funeral homes can remain an integral part of the community and people will turn to them for help.

Part III: Why Memorials Matter

Good Funerals
Here’ To You!

Funerals are the ultimate way to say goodbye, creating an opportunity for those who care about the decedent to come together, share stories, pay their respects and remember. Relationships are both reinforced and created at funerals. The seeds of life that we sow, provide the life trees that bear the fruits of your labor of love. A foundation of support can be the starting point on the healing highway.

Grave Marker
WHO?

Despite the appeal of skipping the formalities of a funeral, planning to do so can be a very poor decision. By failing to recognize the finality of life and give everyone, even old friends and distant family members, a chance to pay their respects and support each other, too many people will be left twisting in the wind, hurt and confused. There are more people in a decedent’s life than their spouse and children, and those people deserve a way to be involved in the death, too. By choosing not to hold a funeral or memorial, family members, and in some cases the decedents themselves, are effectively usurping the grieving process for many others, leaving a hole in the hearts of friends, acquaintances, and coworkers who were anticipating a way to not only say goodbye but to say hello to others that are woven into the tapestry of life.

Providing Direction….

Funerals serve several important roles in life, including:

  • Acknowledgement of the end: The first of the stages of grief is denial, as it can be hard to admit a loved one is gone for good. A funeral provides a way to overcome this step and accept that the end of life is a reality that can’t be ignored or pushed aside.
  • A chance to say goodbye: Whether a ceremony involves an open casket or the presentation of an urn, a funeral is often the last time in which loved ones get to stand in the presence of the deceased. This opportunity to say goodbye can be extremely valuable in overcoming grief.
  • A community: A funeral is a way for people to come together, creating a community of those experiencing similar emotions. By uniting people in grief, the community provided by a funeral can facilitate the healing process, reminding mourners that they aren’t alone.
  • An ongoing support system: Death is never easy to deal with. The stages of grief can be an overwhelming roller coaster, and without those who understand, it can be very hard to make it to the other side without negative ramifications in other areas of life. A funeral provides the foundation of a support system, showing evidence of those who understand what you are feeling and who you can turn to in times of grief. Often, important plans are made at funerals for survivors to re-connect, to maintain old traditions and to start new traditions as well.
  • A reflection on life and death: It’s easy to ignore the presence of death and the impact it can have on life when not experiencing the emotions first hand. This denial isn’t always healthy, as death is inevitable and will happen to everyone at one point or another. A funeral provides a reason to think about the fleeting nature of time spent on earth and offers a way to help individuals come to terms with the complex emotions that often surround the end of life.

Denying these benefits to those who love you – or denying the benefits to others, for spouses left to plan a funeral for someone who left no post-death instructions – is a selfish choice, which can have lasting effects on mental health and the progression of grief.

Instead of a funeral, the idea of alternative memorials is becoming more common. Spouses, parents, and siblings no longer want to put the effort into funeral planning when grief is so raw and instead host small intimate gatherings to reminisce before moving toward cremation. While this can be a nice gesture, it’s not the same as making sure all of the important people in one’s life have a chance to be involved in a final farewell.

Creating the Perfect Memorial

Come One Come All, Gather Round!

It’s important to understand that a funeral doesn’t have to be a stuffy experience in a drab hall, decked out in solemn colors. Some funeral homes have updated and now resemble catering halls more than funeral homes. Funeral directors can also assist you with the event in other locations of your choice. Progressive funeral directors are highly skilled event planners and have the equipment and connections to get things done, fast! If your local funeral home does not offer progressive options, you may want to consult with your local event planners and reception halls. The tradition of calling hours or wake preceding the funeral and the viewing of “The body” is not as mainstream as once was. When I was studying to be a funeral director (class of 1984) it was instilled that it was hard to even begin any kind of grieving process without viewing the body and coming face to face with the reality of death. I have seen the new generation of public more and more uncomfortable with public viewings but I still feel it can be an important aspect of the grieving process.

Scary Stuff

My general school of thought is: the younger and more unexpected or tragic the death, the more important viewing the deceased is. However, having a viewing does increase the cost of a funeral homes services and this should be expected. Don’t make the mistake of not having viewing just because cremation is the final disposition. It’s perfectly normal to have the cremation performed after the services. In fact, the main difference between a funeral and a memorial is that the body is present at a funeral and not present at a memorial. So, in today’s majority choosing cremation the order of services could be for example; have the viewing then cremate followed by a memorial with the cremation urn present or have the viewing followed by a funeral (Body present) and then cremate. So, don’t let the choice of cremation determine what kind of service you want to have, you can still have any style of service you prefer.

These days Hospice is often involved in the weeks and days prior to death. They can be very helpful and help people to be more comfortable and at ease with the process of dying. Be aware that Hospice will often push final goodbyes while the person is still alive to avoid having to do so again after death. This can be a mistake and not considered a replacement for a funeral or memorial. Hospice also encourages cremation; they operate on a Buddhism based philosophy in which cremation is the way. Don’t let them push you into anything you do not want and be persuaded to avoid funerals

Funerals, or any kind of celebration of life, can be customized to both the deceased’s wants and the family’s needs. Funerals can be held anywhere, like a favorite park, provided proper permits are obtained, a backyard, or the family church. Funerals can also be hosted by anyone; you may have a charismatic family member that’s willing to do their best but it can be frustrating and uncertain working with a non-professional.

Celebrant Foundation
You Can Find a Celebrant Near You.. Click Here!

The best choice for a truly meaningful ceremony is to a hire a Certified Funeral Celebrant. Celebrants are becoming an increasingly common option for those who want a professional ceremony without any of the outdated traditions often associated with the funeral industry. With the ability to create a sentimental ceremony in a way that honors a decedent’s personality and interests, a celebrant can easily lead a funeral that best speaks to the needs of family and friends.

When presented with the idea of a more organic, natural, or creative funeral, many individuals are far more enticed. The idea of being memorialized in an urn at a favorite park versus stiff in a casket in a funeral home is often more welcoming, and can make the idea of putting plans in place in a will less daunting or uncomfortable. In many ways, this sort of celebration can fall into the “just” mindset – just hold a simple event for all of my family and friends to attend and enjoy after I have left this earth – even though the reality is much different. Family and friends still get to mourn as needed while individuals can still leave a mark and promote a legacy as is most important to them.

Ongoing Memorials

No mater what style of funeral or memorial you have, the days and years following can become a cold reality of loss. We naturally want to visit the memories of our relationships with those we lose. Visits to the cemetery may not be possible when ashes are scattered. But if people want to “Go Out With a Bang” you can now purchase a handheld ash scattering cannon called “The Loved One Launcher”! So, it could be a good idea to have a stone memorial placed on your home garden or property. Many people today are comforted by the display of photos and having the cremation urn at home, for example, can be used to display remains in a tasteful and dignified way that can serve as a reminder of a lost loved one’s enduring presence. In the days, months, and years following a funeral ceremony, the urn will continue to stand.

Click Here For Our Full Selection of Crystals Made From Ashes
Crystal Gems Made From Ashes

Memorial jewelry can also be an impactful way to memorialize someone lost. These keepsakes are filled with a small amount of ashes inside so their earthly remains will always be close to your heart. Glass pendants and sculptures are made when a portion of ash is artfully infused into intricate works of art. Cremation ashes can also be used in the production process to create a real diamond or colorful cremation crystals.

Despite the decline in the traditional funeral industry, death is no less of a reality today than it has ever been. By thinking outside the box and embracing the alternatives available, end of life planning for both individuals and their families can take a very different form, resulting in plans for the end that respect personal wishes as well as the needs of loved ones – and allow for the opportunity to preserve a legacy.

Will Millennials Be The “Death Positive” Generation?

Some industry experts are saying that the millennials will be the generation that embraces a new way of death and start death positive traditions. Millennials have learned from their elders that to not plan on the inevitable can be both expensive and creates a haphazard situation that can yield more rushed poor choices. In a 2016 survey by the National Funeral Directors Association, 81 percent of respondents said they called only one funeral home before making their decision. Millennials are avoiding this and are willing to use the internet and apps to help them make informed decisions and guess what? They do understand the value of a well-done event that honors a well lived life. Studies have shown that people are planning their will and final plans at a younger average age. These young hipsters are not going to pick up the yellow pages to call a funeral home so they can be told what they need to do! They use the internet to not only save money but to learn and make informed decisions while staying in the drivers seat.

Hansa Bergwall was 35 when he created the app WeCroak, a digital-age memento mori that reminds its 30,000 monthly users that are going to die five times a day — presumably to help them live in the moment. Like death, the reminders come at random times of the day. When they come, you can open the app to reveal a quote about death from a poet, philosopher, or notable thinker. Then take one moment for contemplation, conscious breathing or meditation. We believe that a regular practice of contemplating mortality helps us accept what we must, let go of things that don’t matter and honor the things that do. Memorials can be arranged digitally on GatheringUs. You can even draft important legal documents online on sites such as FreeWill where you can draft a legal will in twenty minutes with no human interaction. Finally, you can shop online for just about anything to hold ashes, thanks to funeral director turned online merchant Jeff Staab. You can choose from exotic urns to jewelry and gems- Cremation Solutions has got you covered! Even monuments that hold ashes and urns inside. One product that has been really catching hearts is jewelry made from the deceased fingerprint, with “Your Touch” line of fingerprint pendants and rings.

The new generations crave information, even on end of life planning and funeral alternatives. For those who reach out to the internet there are new movements or groups that will help you plan a home funeral and embrace death the “Old Fashion Way”. People used to live far closer to death. Before the turn of the 20th century, women from your family and your community would lay you out in the home usually in bed. They would wash you, dress you in simple clothes. Groom and comb your hair, clip a lock of it to wear in a necklace, like we now do with pendants that hold ashes. Family and friends would gather round, reciting prayers, singing, surrounding you with candles and flowers. And when it was time for burial your family would wrap you in a shroud or sheet, often made of wool, and put you in a wood casket. Finally, a group would carry your coffin to the backyard or the town cemetery and, after a small service, lower you into a hand dug grave. The whole process demanded work, attention, a reckoning. An emerging internet-based organization called Crossings will now help you to organize “Home Funerals” just like Great Grandma! For the first time ever, Americans are choosing cremation more than not. This trend has increased each year. It seems that people don’t understand that cremation is just a final disposition and does not mean you still can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes. Well, you just might find you get what you need! And have “One Hell of a Funeral” and make your mark!

Cremation Products
Everything For Ashes!

Announcing a New Line of Custom Jewelry: Fingerprint Jewelry

Finger Prints With Ashes Too
Made With Fingerprints

We use our hands to connect to one another. Parents and children hold hands for safety and to express their unbreakable bond. Couples brush their fingertips over each other’s cheeks to show intimacy and love. Every person’s touch is as unique as the fingerprints they were born with. Indeed, fingerprints represent how we are all unique, and no two beings have exactly the same ones. So, the perfect way to celebrate that uniqueness is to carry it with you forever.

Now, there is a way to do that. Simply send us your fingerprints or the fingerprints of a loved one. Select the jewelry that you wish to use to immortalize this most personal emblem, then enjoy your beautiful, one-of-a-kind accessory, or give the gift of a lifetime to someone who cherishes you.

How to Order

We are proud to announce the launch of our new fingerprint jewelry line. You can select your jewelry and place your order at our website. Our customers are already enjoying these exceptional treasures. Ordering is an easy 5-step process.

  1. Send us your two-dimensional fingerprint and we create a three-dimensional cast.
  2. Select the vehicle for your rare gift. Rings, pins, pendants, pocket knives and cuff links can be worn on a daily basis as an enduring symbol of your connection.
  3. Although we are best known for our quality fingerprint keepsakes, there are several other ways to celebrate someone’s individual essence. For pets, capture their adorable paw prints, for young children, select hand prints or footprints, which are particularly endearing for newborns. Or, go with the singular symbol of individuality, a finger- or thumbprint.
  4. A bail is what attaches your charm to the keepsake you have chosen. Some styles allow you to include a birthstone or other jewel that is appropriate for you or your loved one.
  5. This is already the most personal gift you will ever give yourself or someone else. However, you can further customize your keepsake with an engraved message. Choose a name, a favorite quote or saying, or maybe just a significant date. You will know what to write when you think of your loved one and listen to your heart.

When to Give Your Gift

Any holiday is a great time to present these rare gifts. Are you remembering a mutually significant friend or family member? Present the keepsake on Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or Easter, which are days set apart to celebrate those who sacrificed everything for people they loved.

Are you celebrating a life-changing event like a new addition to the family or an adorable pet who has entered your household? Choose birthdays, Christmas or special anniversaries to give your gift to those who love you. These are times when we usually gather to celebrate the passage of time, the deepening of familial or friendship bonds, and the gift of life itself. Celebrate together by exchanging pendants or rings with one another’s fingerprints.

Celebration

Rings With Fingerprints
            Wrap Them Around Your Finger!

Newlyweds are famous for celebrating every milestone. At least some of us are guilty of 1-month anniversaries (perhaps every month!), first date night out as Mr. and Mrs. First time we learn we are expecting a new addition to the family. If your daughter or son is in this wonderful sentimental stage, take the opportunity to present the happy couple with matching fingerprint ring. Choose the multiple print style and they will be able to add to them as new members of the growing family are born. Give a unique gift that will be valued and welcomed.

Remembrance

Don’t wait until the end of life to create a remembrance that will live on and on and be passed down through generations. Like leaves on the branches of a family tree, charm bracelets with each family member’s fingerprint tell the story of your family. Use your keepsake to tell the chapter of a favorite loved one. You will be able to point out to listeners that you carry that person with you in the form of their fingerprint, that you are never alone. Soon, this will build into a family tradition and when you get together to reminisce, no one’s memories will fade away.

Congratulatory

How do you mark the milestones in your life? What were you given for your high school graduation, or when received a college degree or certification? These are the gifts that we treasure our whole lives. A new car eventually is replaced. Money is ephemeral. Besides these practical and generous gifts, give your new graduate something to remember you by as a congratulatory gift. Choose from white or yellow gold, sterling silver or noble bronze and have it embossed with your unique fingerprint. There is no better way to show your pride and stamp of approval. You are giving them a gift more personal than a signature, and your thoughtfulness will be remembered and appreciated.

Separation

Family Fingerprints
Options For Families

We love our children so much that sometimes it physically hurts. We protect and cherish them until they find their independence. Perhaps they are going off to college or moving out to start a new life with someone they love. Your influence on a child never disappears, but once they are on their own your role changes. Now, you must teach them how to be independent so that they can prosper. Let them know you support them every step of the way by presenting them with a heart or oval-shaped keepsake with the fingerprints of beloved family members. You will remain figuratively or literally close to their heart, which eases the uncertainty of transition for everyone.

Our tasteful jewelry can be worn with casual or formal clothing, with dress or cut-off jeans. So, you never have to take it off or risk losing it. It is as durable as it it enduring. So, you can be confident that it will always be in fashion and as well as being a meaningful connection to those you love.

Now is the Time

Silver Finger Print JewelryYou really don’t need a special occasion to give someone a gift that represents you, or to ask for someone’s fingerprints to make a keepsake of your close bond. When someone loves you, they get it and will gladly work with you to create an elegant symbol of love, remembrance or celebration. This is especially true as we mature and gain perspective on what it means to stop and appreciate those around us. Whether you are looking to do something for yourself or fulfilling a desire to leave part of yourself behind in the long continuum of life, you should contact us for more information on how to get started.

Contact Us

Visit us online at or call our dedicated customer support staff at 877-365-9474 info@cremationsolutions.com for more information. Whatever concerns or questions you have regarding the ordering process or any of our product lines, we can answer them quickly and efficiently. We can even help you place your order. We know that you will be as excited as we are to take advantage of this new line of one-of-a-kind and artful jewelry. Don’t let another day pass without commemorating the important people in your life or helping them always remember you.

Pandora Style Jewelry Gets More Personal

Cremation Solutions has launched its dazzling Phoenix Collection and is thrilled to promote one of the line’s highlights—its Pandora-style beads. These captivating beads are crafted in the Pandora style that has become so popular worldwide. Our beads are hand-crafted by our skilled jewelry artisans and feature both space for fingerprints and a gem-like amount of your loved one’s ashes. The result is an heirloom creation that you can wear on a bracelet of necklace.

Phoenix Collection: Pandora-Style Beads

Pandora Cremation BeadsOur Pandora-style beads feature a bold modern aesthetic with their geometric shapes. We features bead options in the form of cubes, cylinders, rectangles, and more. These dimensional beads are designed to work just like Pandora beads. And like many Pandora beads, you can personalize them to suit your vision. We feature lots of design options as you’ll find when you peruse our gallery.

Each bead has space for fingerprints and a small amount of ash. The ash is protected by a resin cover. You can choose the resin color so that the finalized ash element resembles a jewel such as a sapphire, ruby, citrine, amethyst, or emerald. You may want to fashion your Pandora-style bead with a fingerprint in the shape of a heart. You might want to have our jewelry artisans add an engraving. When you design your bead, we will present you with all available options so you can customize it to your exact specifications.

Jewelry with a Heart and Soul

Our Phoenix Collection jewels and Pandora-style beads are expertly designed, but our skilled artisans understand that these jewels are so much more than precious metal. They truly carry the essence of your loved one. Our jewelry designers have undergone bereavement training and are committed to crafting each jewel with reverence. Our procedures ensure that no ashes ever come in contact with the ashes of another. If we don’t need all the ashes you send us in our kit, we will mail them back to you with your completed jewel. Our jewels are designed with your loved one’s essence, so they are so much more than just a pretty bauble. They are designed with heirloom status and we put all the care possible into their design.

Creating Your Pandora-Style Bead

Phoenix Jewelry
Associated with the Sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor

Once you select your bead style and options and place your order, we will send you a kit and instructions about what to do next. While you can email or mail us a copy of your loved one’s fingerprint image, it’s important that you use our kit to measure and send your loved one’s ashes. Each kit ensures that your ashes are protected and perfectly maintained while we create your special memory jewel. The creation process doesn’t happen overnight. We take our time to ensure that your jewel is crafted with the artisan-quality skill you deserve. We require anywhere from 4-6 weeks to craft your memory jewels using a combination of traditional and innovative jewel-craft techniques.

If you have questions about our Phoenix Collection, Pandora-style beads, or any of our other jewelry lines, please contact us. info@cremationsolutions.com – #877-365-9474 We are happy to walk you through the ordering process, assist with your selection, or answer any questions you have about the jewel creation process. We look forward to helping you create your heirloom jewel, a jewel that you will always treasure.

Hospice For Pets! A New Option Emerges

Funerals For DogsHospice has been helping people pass more gracefully, in a calming environment, that they feel comfortable in. The term hospice care is defined as focusing on the quality of life for terminal patients. Patients that are close to the end of their lives are cared for in a nurturing environment, that focuses on their emotional, spiritual, and mental health, along with pain management. Much of the Hospice practices are based on a Budest Philosophy.

Now, a new trend has emerged, offering hospice services for pets. When you search “pet hospice” more than 20 million search results appear. The trend in this industry is not surprising. In 2018, Americans spent a record high on their pets. Americans spent $72.56 billion on their pets in 2018, which was a 4% increase from the spend of $69.51 in 2017. And, a portion of those costs is now being spent on pet hospice care.

It’s estimated that 68% of American households, or approximately 85 million families, own a pet. And, when your pet gets sick, it can be very painful to watch them suffer. Many Americans are choosing pet hospice and palliative care for their furry family members. Pet hospice offers owners a solution to ease their pet’s suffering in a gentle and comfortable way. Is pet hospice really worth it though? Or is it just a scam for pet owners to shell out more money in a time in their lives when they’re particularly vulnerable? Keep reading for a complete overview of what pet hospice offers, its benefits and downfalls, and if it’s the right decision for your pet.

What is Pet Hospice?

Saying Goodbye To a PetPet hospice services is a term used by more professionals these days and their idea of what “Pet Hospice” is can vary from provider to provider. However, many pet hospice providers will offer to come to your home, monitor your pet during their last few weeks or days, and prescribe medication to manage pain. Some Veterinarians offer hospice like services as an extension of their business. Your pet hospice provider will advise you when they feel is the right time to let your pet go, and will be there to euthanize the pet in the comfort of their own home. Not all pets will require euthanization, and sometimes the veterinarian is there to supervise as the pet naturally passes on.

complete pet hospice service can include on-call services from the veterinarian to provide urgent care as needed, extended appointments for counseling, support for decision making, and even pet loss grief counseling and support. As well as providing nutritional support, assistance with urination and defecation, ensuring adequate hydration, helping pets move safely within their environment, keeping pets well groomed and clean, symptom management, and providing mental stimulation and loving contact with family members. Funerals for pets

The Benefits of Pet Hospice

One veterinarian estimates that 95% of his regular furry patients are still euthanized at the vet’s office. This means that most pets don’t die a natural death and come to a point in their lives when the owner has to make the tough decision for them. In many of these cases, it’s likely that these owners are unaware the pet hospice is an option.

There are many aspects of choosing pet hospice that is comforting. Your pet is able to pass in the comfort of their home, in an environment they feel comfortable and safe in, versus a cold table in the veterinarian’s office.

A veterinary practice is typically very loud and chaotic. There are veterinary employees running around and pets in the office making noises. This can add to a pet’s anxiety and make them stressed in their final moments before passing.

Instead, choosing a pet hospice treatment at home can make the entire process more calming. Animals and their owners feel more comfortable in a familiar environment. One company describes that some pets “can fall asleep with treats still in their mouth.” 

Perhaps most important of all, pet hospice comforts the owners too. The owners can spend the entire day playing with their pet, give them their favorite treats, and dictate when it’s time to say goodbye. It removes the clinical and cold approach of going to a vet’s office and feeling as though you have to rush your goodbye because you can’t keep the vet occupied for too long.

The Downsides to Pet Hospice 

The most apparent downside to pet hospice is the cost. Being able to choose pet hospice for your furry companion is a privilege that not over pet owner can afford. The cost of care can vary, typically ranging from $180 to $200, plus the cost of medications. Additionally, in-home euthanasia costs anywhere between $200 to $250. Assuming the pet medication is an average of $200, the cost of choosing pet hospice for your furry friend can range anywhere in total from $580 to $650 or more. For people choosing to participate in the additional pet hospice services, such as pet loss grief counseling, costs will be much higher. For the average American household, spending a $1,000 or more is not an easy decision especially, if it’s an unexpected expense.

A secondary possible downside to pet hospice is dealing with the decision of putting down your pet. Similar to euthanizing your pet in a veterinarian’s office, you need to decide when you are ready to let your pet go. Your pet hospice provider, or your veterinarian, can offer their expert opinions, but only you make the final decision. There may always be a question in your mind if you chose the right time to say goodbye. However, you should take comfort that if you received a medical professional’s opinion and approval, you made the right decision to end your pet’s suffering.

When It’s Time to Let Your Pet Go 

Pets love us unconditionally, and it can be challenging to decide it’s time to let them go. However, if your pet is suffering, it’s time to help them. Pets don’t understand why they’re in pain, and you can’t explain it to them.

There are signs you can watch out for to understand when to let your pet go. Pets that are terminally ill can go from having a really bad day to rallying, and then sinking back to another back day. When you notice this cycle, keep a daily log and rate your pet’s comfort level to help make your decision making easier.

It’s recommended you rate your pet’s quality of life based on the following markers, known as the ‘HHHHHMM Quality of Life Scale:’

  • Hurt
  • Hunger
  • Hydration
  • Hygiene
  • Happiness
  • Mobility
  • More good days than bad

Animals can’t always vocalize their pain and suffering, but there are signs you can watch out for. Pets that are showcasing anxious behavior such as restlessness, pacing, panting, a change in appetite or sleep, or when a friendly pet stops being social, are all signs of something being wrong.

For more information about deciding when it’s the right time to put down your pet, check out this blog post. 

Honoring Your Pet: Cremation Solutions

Pet MarkersAs your pet passes and it’s time to say goodbye, it’s so important to honor their memory. You can commemorate their memory with items such as cremation or scattering urn, a garden monument, fingerprint jewelry, or with other cremation jewelry. These items will help you feel like you have a part of your furry family member, even after they’ve left.

Cremation Solutions is a family-owned business located in Vermont but services the entire United States. Owner Jeff Staab was a Funeral Director and for over 20 years before opening up Cremation Solutions, and he has a deep understanding of what it means to lose a pet. He created Cremation Solutions so grieving families would be assisted in celebrating the lives of their loved ones and pets in special ways.

Jewelry for dog ashes
Pet Memorial Jewelry That Holds Fur or Ashes

Cremation Solutions is proud to design and manufacture its own products, as well as offer products from many other artists and craftsmen from across the country. You’ll find an extensive line of products with artistic details, high craftsmanship, and fair prices. Cremation Solutions has a goal of offering 100% satisfaction for customers as they navigate through the difficult process of memorializing a pet. To view the full list of options available for honoring and remembering your pet, go to https://www.cremationsolutions.com/ or call (877) 365 – 9474 for more information.

Scientist Conclude When You Die You Are Still Aware!

Cross Roads
Standing At The Crossroads

What happens when we die? This common question may be one you’ve thought about before. You may have religious views. You may believe nothing happens. However, science has shed new light on what actually does happen in those minutes – sometimes hours – after a person dies.

In a recently released study, researchers found that the human brain is completely aware of what happens at the time of death. In fact, the brain remains alive and functioning for minutes or even hours after a person dies. That’s shocking to most. And, it is also terrifying. What does this mean?

Take a Closer Look at the Study

Death
SCIENCE SAYS!…not dead

The study, conducted by Stony Brook University in New York looked at 2,000 people who reported having near death experiences – these are instances in which the person was technically dead and then were resuscitated. Each one tells of a different story, but all convey one clear message. They all are fully aware of what is happening around them. Many recognize that they are dead. Others see a light or have an out of body experience.

What researchers have learned is that when a person dies, the brain can remain functional for minutes to hours after the death. Medically, a person is considered dead when the heart stops beating. When this occurs, there is no more flow of oxygen-rich blood to the organs. The organs slowly stop working. This includes the brain. Yet, the instant the heart stops does not translate into the instant the brain stops. The residual amounts of oxygen in the blood system, which remains present for some time, can keep the brain functional. It takes time for the brain’s lack of oxygen to finally cease its ability to function.

During that time – from the moment the heart stops until a person’s brain stops function – the person’s awareness may still be fully in place. The person who may be technically dead from a lack of a heart beat may still understand what is happening around them.

An Explanation for Near Death Experiences

Cremation PlanningMany people report having some type of experience after their heart stops. These individuals, who have been brought back through medical intervention, report a wide range of occurrence. In some situations, they report a bright light. Others report being transformed into a ball of energy and floating over themselves. They clearly see the people around them. Many report hearing and understanding the conversations that doctors have around them.

Many near death experiences provide very detailed information about what happens around the person when he or she dies. For example, some people report seeing specific doctors or hearing specific voices. Some people have had this information verified – information they would not have known had they not been about to communicate it in this manner. What makes this interesting is that many men and women with near death experiences often attribute what they feel to an experience they have never had before.

Could this be the feeling of oxygen slowly leaving their brain?

Imagine for a moment what could actually be happening according to the New York University. A person’s heart stops. In that moment of death, blood is still traveling to the brain. The brain continues to work. It continues to allow an individual to know and recognize what is happening around them. They cannot speak or move, but the brain still tries to function as it has. The oxygen present allows the brain to work, but it is not the steady flow of oxygen the brain needs to work properly. This creates a different perception of reality around them. And, what the brain is telling the person that is happening – the out of body experiences – seem very lifelike and real. That’s because they are. The brain is communicating this in some manner.

The Medical Component of the Research

Online Death Certifiacte InformationWhat the researchers found, scientifically, is that the brain continues to fire off signals. The neurons are still operating at the time of the heart stopping. They do not immediately stop working. Rather, the neurons begin to fail over a few minutes or longer as oxygen depletion leads to their destruction.

The heart’s job in life is to pump blood that is full of oxygen to the brain and other organs. Imagine, for a moment, how it works to feed other organs. For example, oxygen is necessary for the digestive system to work. It is necessary for the kidneys to work. Yet, when the heart stops, do those organs simply stop functioning immediately? What many people think of as death – a sudden process where the entire process shuts down – is not accurate. The process of death takes longer, even when a person cannot talk and communicate a message.

Why Some Have the Experience And Others Do Not

Questions remain in understanding what occurs after death. For example, studies indicate that only 60 percent of the people have died – had their heart stop – and were brought back to life have no after death experience. They do not remember anything happening. They do not have any type of bright light to follow. Research is still out on why this happens to so many, but it could be attributed to a faster rate at which the brain dies. In some cases, the brain can die faster due to the lack of oxygen in the blood stream leading up to the death.

What This Means to You and Your Loved Ones

Researchers are continuing to look at the body of evidence brought forward by these near death experiences. All are very vast and wide ranging. And, as medical science improves to allow people to be resuscitated further from that moment of death, it may be possible to better understand what truly happens. Yet, for those living today, this could signal a time to carefully reflect on wishes and needs.

No matter what you believe happens after your death, religious or not, one thing is for sure. While you are alive, you have the ability to live a full life. Many of the men and women who have had these types of experiences feel profoundly different after they have been brought back. Many feel empowered to help others. Still, others embrace their religion more fully.

Ahhhh The Afterlife

As science continues to work to understand why this is, it may be important to reflect on your own wishes and needs. If you have not created a will or put an estate plan in place, now would be a good time to do so. You can also find a variety of tools available to help you to plan each detail of your end of life wishes. You can also purchase cremation urns, if you like, in advance.

For those planning their loved one’s final resting place or purchasing cremation jewelry to honor their loved one, take a moment to reflect on what this new study could mean for them. Could it mean your loved one remains aware of your presence after his or her death? Could it help you to believe there is an afterlife?

Researchers say they will continue to work to uncover more insight into what happens after death. As they do, we can count on many men and women sharing their stories of near death experiences and what they could mean for our future, too.

Fingerprint Jewelry is The Ultimate Valentine Gift

Thumbies Keepsakes
Just Some of The Thumbies Collection

Valentine’s Day represents love and fingerprint jewelry is a great way to express that love. The entire holiday is about finding fun ways to show the important people in our lives how much they mean to us. How they changed our lives. The relationship you have with your significant other is the most personal and intimate we experience in life. Sometimes, it feels like you are so close you could share the same heartbeat. If they aren’t there, you might wake up with an aching chest because a piece of you is missing. Well, there is a way to be close to each other even when it isn’t possible to be together. It is also a fantastic Valentine’s Day present.

Fingerprint jewelry pendants and rings are made out of the actual fingerprints of anyone! Its so easy send in your fingerprints and get back jewelry that loved ones will adore. It is really easy to order these high-quality unique one of a kind keepsakes and charms. My husband was reluctant to do it at first, I could see it in his eyes, but I explained to him how much I missed him when he was away on business. This would give me a way to feel close to him, something that nobody else had and that was unique to him. Then, he was really into it. So, Valentine’s Day wasn’t a surprise, but we waited for our gifts to each other, to nature’s signature that would be another sign of our commitment, just like our wedding rings.

Fingerprint Pendants
The Affordable Noble Bronze Collection

I choice a heart pendant that had his fingerprint on the front. He got a silver, rectangular pendent that was subtle. The fingerprints always look very mysterious to me. We get asked about them all the time. People always have great things to say, and it is a conversation starter. It gives me a chance to talk about our marriages and actually helps make it stronger, I think. Like my wedding ring, my heart pendant with his fingerprints represents how much we mean to each other and keeps us connected.

 

 

Handprint on Jewelry
Some of The Noble Bronze Collection

A paw print is a unique representation of your cat or dog. If you have an aging pet, consider taking their paw print and getting it inscribed on a lovely piece of jewelry or commemorative item. That way, should they happen to pass on to a happier place, you will have something besides pictures to remember them by. Paw print jewelry also makes a fun, cool Valentine’s Day gift for children or older family members who are very attached to their four-legged best friends.

My friend saw a heart pendant my husband bought me for Valentine’s Day. It had his fingerprint on it. She thought it was so cool and different and wanted to get something similar for herself and her husband. I told her Cremation Solutions was a great company with excellent service. I have ordered from them several times and each piece is better than the last. Months later, she showed me pictures of her husband, tears gleaming in his eyes, as he pulled out a gorgeous pendant embossed with his wife’s fingerprint in raised, gold accents. It was a touching photos and a memory the two of them will share forever.

Custom Jewelry FingerprintsValentine’s Day isn’t just about lovers. Fingerprint jewelry pendants rings are welcome gifts for anyone you are close to. I have already decided that my own children will have commemorative jewelry with my natural signature. I don’t want them to feel that I didn’t think through what I wanted to leave to each of them, something far more personal than giving away my possessions. My daughter assured me it a fabulous idea and very thoughtful. She even said that a fingerprint pendant would help her feel closer to me before then. She could wear it over her heart and remember how much her mother loved her.

Sometimes, you just run out of great ideas for gifts. Everything seems too impersonal or too commercial. Well, you don’t have to worry about anyone duplicating your gift if you are giving a piece of yourself to someone you love on Valentine’s Day. Fingerprint jewelry is just about as loving, thoughtful and creative as you can get.

Fingerprint jewelry pendants rings are a fabulous idea for any occasion. You don’t have to wait for a special occasion to gift someone else with a piece of you that represents your very essence. The jewelers even makes birthstone name bracelets that can include fingerprints and make fabulous gifts to children. They are a wonderful way to share kids’ birth story with them in a unique and cool way. Start a family tradition that they will pass on to their own children someday. Make someone you love happy. After all, isn’t that what Valentine’s Day is all about?

Making The Holidays More Personal With Fingerprint Jewelry

Just Some of The Thumbies Collection

Christmas is a time when the whole family gathers together to celebrate those we love. New babies are passed around and cooed and fretted over. Couples chopped, baste and cook a scrumptious holiday meal to be shared by all, and memories are shared. For our older parents and grandparents, everyone takes special care to make sure they are comfortable. The question is, how will you remember one another as life matures you or takes you far away?

Fingerprint jewelry is a unique way to keep your loved ones close. Pendants featuring your mother’s fingerprints will be a conversation piece throughout the holiday season and beyond. She will be grateful that you want to remember her and touched if you getting matching necklaces for other close family members. Pendants come in silver, gold and other materials.

For grandmothers and great grandmothers, customized charms or pendant can incorporate footprints for the tiny members of the family, handprints from younger children and fingerprints or other unique markings from grown family members.

Jewelry Made From Fingerprints
“Mom Dad The Kids”

These one of a kind gifts are high-quality jewelry that will quickly become family heirlooms. Let me share a story with you about home I was able to give gifts one Christmas and provide my sisters and brothers with fingerprint jewelry pendants rings imprinted with my mother finger print.

We were all planning to be home for the holidays, which is some feat, considering I have five siblings. My mom had had a health scare just before the holidays. She started talking about final arrangements and making her peace with the universe. After we got over the initial shock, I realized that it could really happen, and so suddenly that we might not get to prepare before she was gone. Luckily, my mother is still vibrantly alive, but I was able to order and design remembrances etched with Mom’s fingerprints and hand them out to my sisters and brothers.

Handprint on Jewelry
Some of The Noble Bronze Collection

One of my brothers is a real manly guy. For him, I got a stainless steel buck knife with Mom’s fingerprint embossed in gold. It was lovely. In fact, my brother cried, and from what I hear, he refuses to use that knife. Another brother is an investment banker and I had a money clip made and stamped with Mom’s fingerprint. Now, he uses that thing every day – he really like money and he really love Mom! He is often asked where he got it, and he refers them to Cremation Solutions so that others too can order keepsakes that keep the connection when they have to be apart.

For my three sisters, I decided to go with a Noble Bronze Open Heart Fingerprint pendent. It isn’t really a great idea to get jewelry for three sister for Christmas, unless you get everyone the same thing. When my Mom saw us wearing her fingerprints, she was a little hesitant and couldn’t quite figure out why that was important to us, but we could tell that she was really touched and happy that we were all showing her our support.

The thing that is so great about fingerprint jewelry pendants rings is that they never change. As we get older, Christmas over Christmas, our real hand and fingerprints lose detail and lines crisscross them like battle scars from daily living. Your Touch jewelry is such a blessing. It gives me peace of mind that my own children will have a person, one-of-a-kind remember of me, whether it’s a ring, pendent or more masculine gift. It gives me peace of mind. I can’t really think of a better gifts than that.

Jewelry Made From Prints
Dog tag Style

My cousin went into the Marines last year and he was deploying right after the holidays. So, I we went in together to my aunt a signet ring with his baby footprints etched on it so that she would always have him close to her heart. My aunt reacted a lot more than we even suspected. She rubbed her fingertips over the finely etched, tiny feet and smiled from ear to ear. That was a really great Christmas overall. My youngest niece came up and asked if I could get a ring for Santa Clause with all the reindeer hoof prints engraved. I told her I would look into it, even though I wasn’t sure they would all fit! Check out all the styles of fingerprint jewelry (Click Here)

Pandora Style Fingerprint Jewelry

Fingerprint Jewelry Meets Cremation Jewelry The “Phoenix Collection”

A cherished piece of jewelry is seldom beloved simply for its bling factor. When you talk to people about  their favorite jewels and ask them why they are treasured, they’ll invariably tell you that someone special gave the jewel to them, that they obtained the jewel at a special place, or that the jewel reflects an important event or period in their lives. The idea of a treasured heirloom piece of jewelry is at the heart of our Phoenix Collection of fingerprint jewels. While beautiful in and of themselves, these jewels are crafted with the sole purpose of keeping a beloved someone’s essence close. That essence accompanies you everywhere—to work, to the grocery store, to a far-flung vacation destination. When you wear a memory jewel from our Phoenix Collection, you’ll feel close to your treasured someone.

Introducing the Phoenix Collection

Finger Prints With Ashes Too
Amazing New Designs

Cremation Solutions is excited to launch our brand new line of fingerprint and cremation jewels in the Phoenix Collection. In myth, the rare and beautiful phoenix rises from its ashes into magnificent splendor. Our Phoenix jewels are designed with the precious ashes of a loved one to pay a wonderful tribute to their memory, to their spirit, and to the love you shared as a spouse, family member or cherished friend. While Cremation Solutions offers various lines of jewels made from cremation ashes, this special line also embodies the fingerprints of loved ones or family members if you choose. In appearance, these jewels demonstrate exquisite beauty and outstanding artisan craftsmanship, but their greatest worth is the essence of a loved one that they embody forevermore.

Artisan Quality

Each of our Phoenix Collection jewels is crafted by skilled jewelry artisans. Our artisans have trained specially to craft these precious jewels. Their skill isn’t simply a matter of technique and know-how. Our artisans have thoughtfully undertaken bereavement training coursework because we believe that empathy and reverence for the materials in their possession must govern the entire jewel-crafting process. For this reason, you can trust our professional jewel makers to handle the small amount of your loved one’s ashes with tender care. The jewel-making process is one of patience as well as skill. We do not believe in rushing. We take our time to create your heirloom Phoenix Collection jewel.

Our Line of Phoenix Jewelry

Cross Cremation PendantOne of the remarkable features of the Phoenix Collection is its diversity. You can choose from various jewelry types and colors before placing your order. The Phoenix Collection jewelry is unique in that it incorporates both ash and fingerprints into its creation. The result is always a breathtaking piece of extraordinary workmanship paired with a genuinely eye-catching design. As you peruse this exciting new line of jewelry, you’ll find options that are sure to suit any style.

Our line of Phoenix Jewelry includes the traditional cross design, a stunning pendant that features a central diamond shape where your loved one’s ashes will be placed. You can then choose a color for the protective resin that will be placed atop this section. The Infinity Heart and Family Ties pendants also boast a central resin-covered focal point that features your loved one’s ashes. The Infinity Heart boasts an timeless floral motif, while the Family Ties pendant features a center point surrounded by fingerprints cast right onto the metal. The resin that’s used to protect the ashes comes in a stunning array of hues that include marine blue, citrine yellow, lagoon green, royal purple, and crimson ruby. These resins help transform your loved one’s ashes into a gem-like feature that provides the beautiful heart of your Phoenix Collection jewel.

Pandora Cremation Beads
Pheonix Beads are Pandora Compatible

The extraordinary Phoenix Collection also features Pandora-like bead charms that will provide a dazzling focal point for your jewelry. These Thumbies or Thumb Beads as they’re referred to can also features space to showcase your loved ones ashes under protective gem-like resin as well as fingerprints. We feature Thumbies in various shapes like cylinders, hexagons, and squares. Some customers prefer to get a combination of beads or even a single bead to highlight on a bracelet or necklaces. Owing to the popularity of trend-right Pandora-style beads, our Thumbies have become a permanent part of our collection.

How Do We Create Our Phoenix Collection Jewels?

Phoenix Jewelry
Associated with the Sun, a phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its predecessor

Our skilled jewelry artisans take pride in each completed memory jewel they create. Through careful procedures and patient crafting, our artisans will create for each customer a one-of-a-kind jewel. Before placing your order, you will need to select a Phoenix Collection style and select options. Jewels can be fashioned with engravings too. When placing your order, you’ll be able to design your customized piece of jewelry.

We will send each customer a special kit for ash placement and fingerprinting instructions. While you can email us fingerprint images, it’s important for you to use our kit for sending in your loved one’s ashes. We require a very small amount of ash and our kit will walk you through the process. Each kit also ensures that no ashes are ever mixed up with any others. Our artisans work only with one ash kit at a time because protecting the integrity of the process is a priority of our work.

If you have questions about our beautiful Phoenix Collection or any of the other jewelry lines we carry, be sure to get in touch with our helpful staff today. We are here to help you in any way we can as you commission your heirloom jewel or jewels. Our Phoenix Collection jewelry is ideal for gift-giving or for commissioning as the gift you give yourself.

See The Entire Selection of Fingerprint Jewelry (Click Here)