Issue 34.13
As cremations have become more and more popular in recent years, entrepreneurs have devised a number of unusual things for us to do with the ashes. If you are looking for something unique, I recently found 8 interesting companies pitching things to do with your cremated remains. For some, these products may seem bizarre, but apparently there are some buyers. In any event, just for fun, I thought I would share a few:
1. If you want to go out with a bang, there is a company that will pack the ashes in shotgun shells.
2. Another company will put the ashes in fireworks, so you can put on a show.
3. For the artists among us, there is a company that will mix the ashes with their paints and paint a special memorial portrait.
4. Another company turns the ashes into a set of 240 pencils.
5. For the clock watchers among us, you can have your ashes be the sand in an hourglass.
6. And for the music lover, there is a company that will press the ashes into a 33 rpm vinyl record, and you can provide the audio or request the composition of an original song.
7. If tattoos are your thing, there is a group of artists who will mix the ashes with ink and give you a commemorative tattoo.
8. Many have heard of the company that will create a diamond from the carbon in the ashes, or for less money you can have the ashes fired in hand-blown glass.
As a funeral counselor my duty is to educate families on their options and choices, and, of course, the more traditional choices are to keep the ashes, to scatter them, or to enshrine them in a cemetery or mausoleum. Choosing the appropriate urn is important. There are special types of urns that lend themselves to scattering. For burial in a cemetery, an excellent choice is a stainless steel urn. If you plan to keep and display the urn, there are innumerable choices of beautiful urns to display. There are also small sharing urns and urn jewelry to choose from.
The object, of course, is to remember and commemorate the life of someone you love.
Dick Johnson is a funeral planner and co-owner of the Cremation Center of Southern Utah which offers daily tours. You may contact Dick by dropping by the Center, or calling (435) 986-9100, or visit the website at www.cremationcentersu.com.