We’ve all had that one experience that changes us forever. Sometimes for better, sometimes worse. Maybe it made you question everything or maybe it made you a bit numb. Perhaps it led to self-discovery or perhaps it led to more confusion. Everybody has had that formative experience that makes them realize what they really, really want or what they really, really don’t want; what they truly care about and what they couldn’t give a damn about.

Losing a parent when we’re young enough to still need their hands-on care is like being adrift in the ocean without a lifejacket. For babies, toddlers, and children, it’s a matter of life and death. But even as teenagers, young adults and beyond, we continue to cast parents in the role of provider, protector, teacher, role model, advocate and source of unconditional love. They may not be our first call for help; if anything, we may be their last resort. After all, who wants their parents to know that they’ve lost their job, are struggling with a divorce, dealing with depression, or can’t pay the utility bill?  Leaning on them makes us feel small.

Once the ceremony of spreading ashes is complete, people often realize they’re left with a scattering urn without an idea of what to do with the urn. Whether you’re in the preplanning stages, or post-scattering stage, we’ve gathered information on scattering urns, along with a few ideas to consider on how they might be reused.

Cremation is an ancient practice, described as early as the 8^th century B.C.E. in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey. In classical times, cremation was a military procedure associated with battlefield honors. Cremation of Roman emperors included the release of an eagle above the cremation pyre to symbolize an emperor's deification and the passing of the emperor-god’s spirit.

Scattering the ashes of a loved one can often lack the finality or sense of permanence we receive from funeral sites and cemeteries. For many people, the decision to keep cremains at home is an easy one. In most instances, people aren’t aware of all the memorial options available to them. However, there are a variety of options to choose from. In this article, we examine the many places your loved one’s cremated ashes can go. Keep reading to learn more.

Much of what needs to be done involves organizing details that are well known but need to be ordered to fulfill various purposes. You can do a great deal to help an elderly loved one by collecting all the information that’ll be needed for an obituary, headstone inscription, wishes for a memorial service, and what kind of music should be played. An overwhelmed senior may forget much of this information, even basic details about their partner’s life. This is where you can be especially helpful.

Water cremation is an eco-friendly alternative to flame-based cremation and casket burial. It is basically an accelerated version of what takes place in natural decomposition.

Who doesn’t enjoy Spring? The turn of seasons is a radiant cycle, with the arrival of Spring being the most jubilant of all, resplendent with emerging delicate green buds, days of lengthening light, the return of migrating birds, animals venturing out from hibernation, blooming crocus, tulips, and daffodils, and fresh liveliness everywhere. Spring is the essence of rebirth and renewal.

From ancient times, celebrations of Spring’s new beginnings can be traced to secular rituals of dying and rising gods.