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What is an Undertaker? (Interview)
A funeral director gives his unique perspective on end-of-life ritualsToday, SevenPonds is speaking with Patrick McNally, the outspoken and creative funeral director behind the blog The Daily Undertaker, which explores ritual and art surrounding death and dying. In this first installment of our interview, Patrick reveals his honest insight into the funeral industry and discusses how he sees end-of-life ritual evolving in meaningful ways. Aurora: Patrick, could…
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“Finding Your Way after Your Parent Dies”
A book offering advice for grieving adults, blending useful insights with Christian-based comfortsRichard Gilbert, an Anglican priest and the author of “Finding Your Way after Your Parent Dies: Hope for Grieving Adults,” has the very best intentions. In the introduction to the book, he is clear about breaking free of proscribed ideas regarding the stages of grief and appropriate timelines for grief work, in favor of a…
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“Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life”
Monty Python’s Life Of Brian song Is a popular funeral tuneIn 2014, the Telegraph published the findings of a study carried out by a cohort of funeral directors investigating which is the most played song at funerals in the United Kingdom. The survey, based on more than 30,000 funerals, found that the song that beat out hymns such as “The Lord is My Shepherd” and “Abide…
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Study Estimates Medical Error Is Third Leading Cause of Death in USA
A recent study from John Hopkins University urges systemic change to reduce medical errorResearchers at John Hopkins School of Medicine published a report in The BMJ earlier this month that estimates that preventable medical error is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Medical error includes surgical complications that go unaddressed, misdiagnosis and delayed diagnosis, and medication errors, such as giving a patient the wrong…
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Monday Hearts for Madalene
Page Hodel creates the most beautiful hearts in an ongoing celebration of loveYou Light Up My Life! It’s an honor for SevenPonds to share with our readers the story of the Monday Hearts for Madalene project, a true account of the power of love in the midst of death. The project’s origins take us to 2005: the moment Page Hodel encountered Madalene Rodriguez and fell “instantly, dizzyingly in love with her.”…
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Life Extension Pursuits of the One Percent Miss the Point Completely
Death-phobic billionaires invest in prolonging life for the select eliteWhat do eliminating cancer and infectious diseases, genetic modification, cryonics and artificial brains that retain original human personality have in common? All these ventures are being funded by some of the world’s wealthiest and most death-phobic people. Peter Thiel, the founder of PayPal, whose estimated net worth tallies $2 billion, was quoted by the New…
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Crematorium in Amiens Combines Science with Art
An architect creates a soothing, functional space for familiesWhen you hear the word “crematorium,” it is rarely accompanied by the word “beautiful.” Recently, however, the architectural firm Plan 01 set out to change this common perception with two unique crematoriums, the Rennes Métropole Crematorium and the Crematorium in Amiens in France. Both buildings were created with a strong artistic vision and a unique sensitivity to the emotional and…
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Our Weekly Tip: Filing a Final Tax Return After a Loved One’s Death
Learn how to file final accounting paperworkOur Tip of the Week: When a loved one dies, the last thing on your mind is taxes. However, the IRS requires a final accounting of inheritances, deductions and income in the event of someone’s death. Having this paperwork prepared ahead of time can ease the process for your loved ones and save them from a…
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