Drawn to the World of Death & Mourning?

Perhaps it’s the secret you don’t share.  Or if you do, most don’t understand you’re fascination with all (or many) things death and mourning. You get that it’s strange in the eyes of most people, that we live in a culture that goes to great extremes to avoid discussing death.  Sure, people are constantly dying on Read more about Drawn to the World of Death & Mourning?[…]

23 Spiritualized Comfort Cliches to Avoid When a Child Dies

Caleb Wilde, shared the following post on his “Confessions of a Funeral Director” blog.  It is an anonymous post originally shared on Michelle Van Loon’s blog, “Pilgrim’s Road Trip,” and with his permission I am sharing it here.   This post is tremendously important, and should not be missed.   Having worked in both the Read more about 23 Spiritualized Comfort Cliches to Avoid When a Child Dies[…]

Timeless Urn Idea

One fella came up with a particularly clever way to hold his grandmother’s cremated remains:  A DIY hourglass, as depicted above.   If you follow this link, you will find a step-by-step image guide on imgur.   This is definitely one of the most clever urns I’ve seen yet.  Kudos!

What’s The Difference Between A Coffin and a Casket?

 Great question! The answer is:  Not much at the end of the day, as they are both boxes designed to hold and transport the dead.   Really, the primary difference comes down to shape. The word coffin dates back to about the 16th century.  It typically has six or eight sides, tapering down toward the feet. Read more about What’s The Difference Between A Coffin and a Casket?[…]

What the Heck is Coffin Furniture?

  I love the questions we get.  Not because the questions are laughable, but because they have to be asked because the funeral industry, in an effort to make things sound less ”morbid” or ”frightening” has gone a long way to make very simple things complicated.  Granted, maybe this particular one has more to do Read more about What the Heck is Coffin Furniture?[…]

Do You Have to Purchase Your Casket From The Funeral Home?

  My last post generated some questions, as I had mentioned that my client ordered an eco-friendly casket from another provider.   It seems that people are surprised to hear this is a possibility.   It is, in fact, a right that is protected under the Funeral Rule. This rule states that you may order your casket  from Read more about Do You Have to Purchase Your Casket From The Funeral Home?[…]

Death Doula Diary – The Up-sell

  Today I will share with you a scenario from one specific funeral I provided support through, but unfortunately, it is similar to a scene I’ve seen played out many times before. This funeral was for a young man in his early 20s who had died of a suspected suicide.   His parents were, as Read more about Death Doula Diary – The Up-sell[…]

Mourning Jewelry Artifact – Mr. & Mrs. Washington

Another lovely piece of mourning jewelry, this contains a lock of George Washington’s hair, as well as one of Martha Washington’s hair.   Again, such a fascinating custom, and one I am so surprised to see has fallen out of fashion.   It sometimes seems that anything that connects us with death, that doesn’t just Read more about Mourning Jewelry Artifact – Mr. & Mrs. Washington[…]

Why I Became a Mourning Doula

The following was posted as a guest post over at “Confessions of a Funeral Director”: I’ve been around death A LOT.   When I was 4 one of my playmates, a 5 y/o, died of an asthma attack.   They buried her and planted a tree at school in her memory.  I couldn’t wrap my Read more about Why I Became a Mourning Doula[…]