Wild Birds Urn a New Home!

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.

Birdhouse Urn
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.

Scattering AshesPeople 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.

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Cremation Business is For The Birds

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.

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Going Back to Blueberry Mountain

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.

By, Mark Harris author of Grave Matters

On Blueberry Hill

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.

Holylnd Ash Scattering
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.

Scattering Garden for Ashes
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.

Holyland Ash Scattering
Watch a Video of our Sacred Scattering Garden Here

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What to do with Unclaimed Ashes

Whether it’s in a basement, a storage closet, or lined up on a shelf, every funeral home has them – unclaimed ashes.

Are You in the Business of Storing Ashes

It’s estimated that approximately one percent of cremation ashes are not claimed.  As the number of cremations performed each year increases, those numbers can start to add up.  For funeral homes it can mean storing the remains in a climate-controlled room for decades.

There are many reasons cremated remains are not picked up.  Before prepaid funerals, some families didn’t have the money to pay the funeral home’s bill and therefore were reluctant to come by the funeral home.  Some families aren’t especially close and no one family member wants to take responsibility for their relative.  In some instances, the survivors simply don’t know what to do with the remains, so they do nothing. Their mostly just uninformed of all the options. Many don’t even know about scattering urns and cremation jewelry.

Holy Land Ash Scattering can assist in decreasing funeral home’s inventories of ashes and remove the liability of storing ashes indefinitely.  Holyland Ash Scattering has developed a private memorial scattering garden in the Holyland. The company will take care of all of the details to arrange safe and secure shipping of the ashes to their office in Israel. The ashes will then be scattered in the most spiritual place in the world. Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, in the hills where Jesus lived and taught, their private memorial garden is a sacred place for a secure, final disposition for all time.

To further commemorate the sacred scattering ceremony, the company professionally videotapes and preserves this event on DVD as well as a YouTube download, to give client families added piece of mind, and as keepsake to watch and share with friends and family.  A handsome framed certificate of scattering is also included as an heirloom gift to give the family.

Funeral professionals seeking to learn more about ash scattering in the Holyland can contact the company direct to become a partner in providing a special, sensible and uniquely holy final resting place for their families departed loved ones.

About Holyland Ash Scattering Service

A division of Ash Scattering Society LLC, Holyland Ash Scattering (HAS) specializes in scattering the cremated remains of loved ones in a private memorial garden in the Holyland in Israel.  The company provides packaging for shipping remains, covers the cost of transporting the ashes, a professional scattering service and a personalized video tribute of the service, as well as a tribute certificate.  Funeral professionals seeking more information about ash scattering, or that want to become a representative, can visit the company’s website at holylandashscattering.com/funeraldirectors or call 888-720-1961.

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Funeral Flower Etiquette

Funeral flowers and sympathy plants are usually sent to the funeral home, chapel at once procession.jpgwhen the news breaks of a death that  has been announced. Funeral homes and churches have a “wake,” “visitation” or calling hours, where survivors friends and family gather to pay their respects and tributes to the family. Proper funeral flower etiquette is to send funeral flowers or plants to the funeral home or church prior to the first visitation hours. If you are late in sending flowers and can not have flowers arrive in time for the first visitation it is still appropriate to send funeral flowers as long as they arrive prior to any additional visitations. If you have not sent funeral flowers in time for them to arrive prior to the last visitation you may want  send funeral flowers or a living funeral plant to the family at their home. Some people insist upon sending last minute funeral flower orders to the funeral home or church and some people insist upon having last minute funeral flower deliveries made directly to the graveside service. This is not considered proper etiquette as it is very disruptive and inconsiderate to have funeral flower deliveries arriving during the service. In many instances, last minute funeral flower orders are lost in the commotion of the funeral service and in other instances funeral directors will not accept last minute flower deliveries.

If you have missed the visitations and the funeral service it is considered very proper etiquette to send funeral flowers or a plant to the family of the deceased at their residence. In fact, it is considered appropriate etiquette to send funeral flowers or plants to the family of the deceased up to a month after the funeral service. Some people even prefer to send funeral flowers and plants at a later date because it is a great way to let the family of the deceased know that people are still thinking of them even after the funeral service has passed. Many people who have lost a loved one find this very comforting.

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Life Trees: A Green Friendly Remembrance and Memorial

Throughout history, people have planted trees to commemorate a loved one’s life and have used nature as a way to connect with the natural cycles of life. With their impressive stature, strength and endurance trees are the perfect symbol of a living memorial that lives on after our loved ones have passed.

Life Trees provide an environmentally friendly way of remembering loved ones that will last for years and imbue their memory with natural beauty and strength.

Introducing Life Trees, an affordable, green friendly sympathy gift. A more natural way to remember and share the memories of a loved one with those attending the funeral service or who are unable to attend.

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.

The Life Tree Farm professionals have now taken the concept of living memorials and created an easy way to get the tree seedlings in just the right style to suit your needs. Both for families and to share with those in attendance, Life Trees are 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. With the tree planting program the Life Tree Farm does planting for you in the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont. Families are given a letter of appreciation and a handsome certificate of acknowledgement to commemorate the tree planting.

Life Trees are available in every state, year round. The tree seedlings come in five tasteful styles, nurtured in its own earth within a beautiful keepsake bag. The keepsake bags are available in a large assortment of rich fabrics and colors. The trees are further personalized with ribbons and a custom message, or select a message card with a poem or quote in our catalog. It also includes the name and dates of the decedent. On the back of the card are planting and care instructions. Hundreds of combinations of the tree memorials are available to meet a wide variety of styles and budgets for families to choose from.

Life Trees are affordable. They can cost as little as a sympathy card & have far more value.

Funeral homes can now offer Life Trees. The families you serve will be able to honor a life with a beautiful tree that will live on in the decedent’s memory. The trees are customized and usually shipped within 24 hours of the order.  The Life Tree program includes all the marketing materials needed to start offering the Life Trees in your facility. Synthetic tree samples are included to display in your facility.

If you are interested in a different way to remember a loved one’s life, be sure to check out our wide selection of cremation urns, keepsake jewelry, and memorials at Cremation Solutions.

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