According to the National Funeral Directors Association, nearly 62% of those who pass away this year are expected to be cremated. In California, that number is even higher as more than two-thirds of residents choose to be cremated.
Historically, the loved ones of the departed might scatter their remains in a treasured location, keep them in a special urn at home or have them placed in an urn vault at a cemetery. But, nowadays, there are a variety of unique ways to retain part of your loved one with you or represent a particular interest of the deceased:
- Ecological death care:
- Human composting: Those who enjoy gardening and/or nature might be interested in Recompose, a “green funeral home specializing in human composting.” After passing, the body is transformed into soil.
- Planting with human ashes: The Living Urn aims to “grow a living memory.” Its planting system continues life through a bio urn that’s specially designed to grow a tree, plant or flower with the remains of your loved one.
- Coral reef memorials: Companies like Eternal Reefs incorporate cremated remains into environmentally safe, cast concrete. Essentially a burial at sea, the memorial is placed on the ocean floor to foster a coral reef or other type of marine habitat.
- Cremation jewelry: Among other things, ashes can be used to create keepsake jewelry and mementos in honor of a loved one. Several businesses offer a variety of cremation jewelry options:
- Petals and Keepsakes: Design handmade jewelry – such as a necklace, ring or bracelet – and the company will embed your loved one’s remains. This can include ashes, fabric, hair/fur, flowers or breastmilk.
- Etsy: Thousands of hand-crafted selections – such as urn necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets and more – are available from artisans on this site.
- Mainely Urns & Memorials: This unique memorial can combine both a handprint or fingerprint with the cremated remains of a special person.
- Amazon: Of course, you can even find cremation jewelry from sellers on this mega site with the same types of offerings as those listed above.
Ease a difficult time for your loved ones by planning for the inevitable now. Contact MeyerPink Law at (209) 886-4131 or [email protected] to get started.https://meyerpink.com/contact/
