Grave Expectations

What if you were to celebrate a loved one’s life instead of mourning their passing? That is what funeral celebrants are trying to impress upon those who have lost a loved one. The time a person has spent with us is precious and it is so important to remember that and appreciate that, even during our time of loss.

A funeral celebrant is a person who creates a unique and special ceremony for someone who has passed. Typically the ceremony is not religious and, as the name suggests, the ceremony looks at the positive side of the person’s life, rather than the negative side of their death.

Clergy or people who are connected with a church generally have been the person in charge of a funeral. They would be a pastor or a father and would say a prayer at the ceremony. The president of the National Funeral Directors Association said up to 50% of American’s are not part of a church. So why would someone without connection to a church want a religious ceremony at their funeral? Many people don’t’ see the value in a religious funeral ceremony and would rather have a gathering with a different approach. One that is not connected with religion, but more with the people they knew and loved. Over time this is becoming synonymous with funeral celebrants: a non religious funeral ceremony.

A funeral celebrant is someone that can work at the funeral home or can be an independent provider. Many funeral homes today are seeing the need for a funeral celebrant so it is a good idea to ask if they have one staff. The job of a funeral celebrant is to connect with the family and deceased and provide something meaningful and something that helps represent their life.

You will find that funeral celebrants come from all walks of life, often saying that the reason they become a celebrant is because of the people. If you are interested in becoming a funeral celebrant you should have a connection with people, be able to handle the environment of people mourning around you and be comfortable with public speaking. Funeral Director’s Chat had a discussion with Glenda Stansbury where she talked about her celebrant training institute and what it’s like to help families celebrate a life. Another trainer of funeral celebrants is Life Appreciation training, where Bill Bates provides on site training to those interested in becoming a celebrant.

This has been a guest blog post by Tyler Fraser

Cremation Jewelry is a Growing Trend

Cremation jewelry is becoming more popular every day, for many reasons.  While some once thought that anything to do with cremation was macabre or taboo, many are coming to understand the healing power that jewelry and other keepsake memorials provide.  While it may be new to you, cremation jewelry is thought to go back as far as the 15th or 16th century, when even those as famous as Queen Victoria were known to cherish jewelry that was made with the hair of a departed loved one, which was woven into bracelets and lockets.  Hair resists decay and remains intact for hundreds and perhaps even thousands of years, which is why it was chosen for this purpose. It is still common to hold a lock of hair in a keepsake. Today, cremation jewelry is made in a way that allows the wearer to carry the cremated remains, a lock of hair or some other token that is special or dear to their heart.  This jewelry helps many deal with the grief and loss they are feeling.  It also helps give the wearer a feeling of peace, and keeps their beloved close to their heart symbolically and in reality.

One benefit of today's cremation jewelry is that much of it is made so that it looks like any other jewelry you would purchase.  This means that you can wear something sacred to you, and others won't know what it is or make comments that may be upsetting to you. Another detail that many people do not realize about cremation jewelry is that some is designed to target a particular area.  For example, their are selections for those who may have lost a baby or child, or even a pet.  Guardian angels, heart shaped lockets, and praying hands are a few of the popular designs available, and you will find this exquisite jewelry in gold, silver, stainless steel, glass, wood and cobalt blue.  There are literally several cremation jewelry designs, so that you can choose the piece that perfectly suits your needs.

While some may find it depressing or odd to carry a passed person's cremated remains with them, people are affected in their own ways when the death of a loved one occurs.  For many, it is a very reassuring way to remember the ones they love, and the memories evoked often allow those who mourn to put the pieces of their life back together so that they can continue forward. Cremation jewelry may not be for everyone, but it certainly offers comfort and soothing to the hearts of many.

This has been a guest blog post by www.inthelighturns.com/