by Chris Gottschalk
Image: Hidden deer*
What if a loved one dies very suddenly? Or perhaps you are confronted by a drawn-out illness ending in death and loss. The decisions to consider appear just as abruptly as the emotions to handle, and bills to be paid. One of the many choices is how you will memorialize your loved one. Perhaps you elect cremation. What now?
Many bereaved individuals enjoy a constant reminder of a loved one’s presence. An object that celebrates the deceased’s life can provide solace through the grieving process. A cremation urn provides such a reminder. But urns can also deluge you with emotions when you least expect—or want—them.
And what if you want to know your loved one is with you, but you don't want other people to bluntly ask, “Oh, are Bob’s ashes in that container?” and then you explain yet again about the obvious cremation urn on the mantle or table and why you chose it. What are your options?
Unique cremation urns
As it turns out, there is an array of cremation urns crafted for the purpose of concealing ashes. They're not only a reminder of your loved one’s presence, but they can be a piece of art, a vase, a necklace, or a wooden heart to name a few options. These are cremation urns in disguise.
The handcrafted jadestone cremation urns are great examples. The opaque jadestone conceals cremation ashes. "This urn was perfect because it doesn't look like a traditional urn, but more like beautiful artwork," commented a customer. A small keepsake candle holder that matches the larger display urn offers warmth when the candle is lit. “The Mission Style Cremation Urn and candle look like cut glass items in which you would decorate your home, and not like a cremation urn.”
More and more people want a cremation urn that celebrates a loved one’s life in a symbolic, or simply beautiful, design. Cremation keepsake urns have an inner chamber to inter a loved one's remains. Memory lamps are trending both as a sympathy gift and as a unique cremation urn. Even more personal are glass-blown cremation keepsakes that incorporate a small portion of your loved one’s ashes into the object.
The majority of cremation urns announce “I am holding cremation ashes.” Memorializing a loved one can, instead, be found in a design that speaks of celebration, or simply of beauty. Most importantly, they let you remember your loved one in a way that is meaningful to you.
*Image by "fly" can be viewed here: http://bit.ly/29HfyWt
Chris Gottschalk is a freelance writer living in Rochester, Minnesota. He first wrote about emotional loss and healing in his book, How to Heal After Heartbreak, and often explores these themes in his fiction pieces. When not writing, he practices martial arts.