Selecting a Memory Lamp: A Thoughtful Sympathy Gift
by J. Malec
During times of sadness, loss, or difficulty, memory lamps emanate a comforting glow of light. At other milestones, their beauty and unique design can honor a birth, or another special occasion. They can rekindle memories of a departed loved one, or of good times shared, and the warmth that exists in the spirit of closeness. Hand-blown glass and Tiffany-inspired pieces, such as the Delicate Nature Memory Lamp, provide a presence of lasting beauty, and make a unique gift.
Why choose a memory lamp?
OneWorld Memorials has sourced wonderfully handcrafted Tiffany-inspired remembrance lamps. Their lighting products are made with high end art glass and possess the qualities of:
- Timeless Appeal – each lamp becomes a treasured keepsake that lasts for generations.
- Work of Art - each piece is carefully handcrafted by artisans making it unique.
- Lasting Memories - each piece provides a tangible expression of love, compassion, support and warmth from giver to recipient.
- Additionally, the power of light enhances the wonderful memories that remind you of those special moments you shared, while also bringing warmth and comfort to you.Â
How do I use a memory lamp?
The glow of a memory lamp gracefully complements a cremation urn as part of a memorial display at a service. It can also add warmth when displayed in the home as part of a memorial niche. As an art piece, it can stand alone anywhere in a home, office, or studio. Unlike flowers or votive candles, a memory lamp will last for years to come.
You may choose memorial lamps with a design that holds symbolic meaning for you or for the bereaved. A specific design may align closely with your or the deceased's sense of self and importance or wishes. For example, an angel may watch over your loved one’s transition from here to the beyond. A dragonfly often represents harmony between the worlds of spirit and matter. Other animals are seen as messengers from beyond. And often a lily is viewed as a symbol of life everlasting. Religious memory lamps honor the departed with a sense of eternal life.
Memory lamps have also become popular gifts to commemorate milestones, such as a birth, special birthday, graduation, wedding or retirement.
Several ways to incorporate these luminous objects of beauty into memorial customs can be:
- A gift of light sparking the cherished memories for a lifetime to grace your home.
- For those unable to attend the service, suggest the opportunity to send the grieving family a Memory Lamp that conveys a special thoughtfulness and will be uniquely appreciated for years to come.
- Remembrance Lamps can be displayed with flowers at the loved one’s wake, adding ambiance as well as a touch of warmth and comfort.
- Use your existing cards, picture frames and wrapping to add a personal touch to this gift.
Memory lamp designs
The Silver Cherub memory lamp provides an alternative to lighting a candle. Another choice of a religious-themed lamp is the Floral Cross Memory Lamp. This is a Tiffany-inspired lamp with hand-cut flowers of pink and red, with green vines, wrapping around the form of the cross.
The Tiffany Style Butterfly Sympathy Lamp will help capture special memories in its brilliantly assembled 100-plus pieces of hand-cut stained glass.
Bereavement lamps hold a magical appeal that convey your love, thoughtfulness, sympathy, compassion in a lasting glow of light. They make a wonderful bereavement gift, or a gift to celebrate a birth, a birthday, or many special occasions.
J. Malec is a visual artist and writer whose work often deals with themes related to loss and healing. She lives in Minneapolis, and spends much of her time practicing permaculture in the city.
Comments
Dear Margie,you can also find the angel memory lamp at this link: http://www.oneworldmemorials.com/products/praying-angel-memory-lamp-white
The cost of the Angel Memory Lamp is $44.95 – hope that helps!
May I please have the price? Also, Do you have a picture of the angel one??
Having spent the past twenty five years working closely with individuals from every walk of life struggling through the labyringh of emotions experienced in the overwhelmingy disorienting days, weeks and months following the loss of a beloved-be it a spouse, parents, child, dear friend, or animal companion, one theme has consistently emerged: “How do I reach out to someone I love in the midst of their grief?”
In my search to find the best bereavment resources to share with readers of Living with Loss and I Will Not Forget You, I have discovered www.oneworldmemorials.com and its sister blog/site www.consciousdepartures.com, where a deep understanding of loss expressed in blog posts combined with unique artison urns, gorgeous memorial pieces (i’m saving for a tiffany lamp and dream catcher just to have in my bedroom), a wide range of affordable sympathy gifts which which friends, family and caregivers can offer meanigful condolences as an alternatve to the traditional flowers we are apt to send in the rush of our busy lives, the level of care given to engraving/personalizing through monograms. handprints and other touches that honor the uniqueness of those who’ve passed on, a conscious commitment to the growing movement of “green awareness” through biodegradble urns and scattering tubes in lovely designs that can be used as part of the sacred ritual of dispersing ashes, while simulatneously honoring Mother Earth, as well as unique products for pet loss that speak to both the grevious loss of a “family member” and the more lighthearted ways in which we memorialize our animal companions—this company stands out. In part because the President of OneWorldMemorials, Ira J. Woods, is a widower who understands loss on a visceral level-(the original inspiration for the company. In part, because the staff has clearly been trained to deal with the bereaved with sensitivity and respect, taking whatever time is needed to facilitate the transaction of purchasing an urn or memorial gift as seamlessly as possible at a time when people are so shell-shocked they can barely make decisions. And because OneWorldMemorials isn’t just selling urns. They’re selling compassion.There are lots of places to buy an urn or a scattering tube or memorial gift. But in the moment when you feel as if your heart is being ripped out, you can’t put a price tag on the feeling of putting your loved one’s remains in the hands of people who will treat your beloved with humanity and grace. That is what I’ve learned about love, loss, grief, and healing
Although I rarely endorse companies publically, I have seen this up close and I am moved. So I am passing this on to you.