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The Teaching of The Ancient Yew Tree
How this tree has come to symbolize death in pagan culturesThe Yew tree is a species of evergreen conifer native to western, central, and southern Europe, northern Iran, southwest Asia and northwest Africa. Because of their toxic leaves and berries, yews were a symbol of death and rebirth in pre-Christian pagan religions. Due to the unique way that the tree grows, it is an obvious choice as an…
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A Show of Mourning Dresses From the Past
We mourn in our own ways by not even thinking about such attireWhen I came across a past installation at The Metropolitan Museum, entitled “Death Becomes Her,” I was astounded by the elaborate dresses – gowns practically! – that mourning widows (from 1815 to 1915) would wear following the death of their beloveds. These dresses — almost always black — were really quite stunning. They were adorned with…
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Monday Hearts for Madalene
Page Hodel creates the most beautiful hearts in an ongoing celebration of loveTricky Treats for My Sweets on Halloween! 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…
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Art Books Reveal Multicultural Perspective on the Preservation of Human Remains
Dr. Paul Koudounaris visually explores the preservation and adornment of human remainsPaul Koudounaris holds a doctorate in Art History and has cultivated a career based on travelling the world to photograph unusual human remains. He is the author of three books: The Empire of Death: A Cultural History of Ossuaries and Charnel Houses, Heavenly Bodies: Cult Treasures and Spectacular Saints from the Catacombs, and Memento Mori: The Dead Among Us.…
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How Do You Navigate Your Medical Benefits After Retirement? (Interview)
A Medicare counselor talks about how to get medical care after retirementToday SevenPonds spoke with Pat Macholl, a volunteer counselor with Legal Assistance for Seniors/Alameda HICAP. Her San Francisco-based office helps clients learn how to navigate their healthcare benefits through Medicare. Macholl teaches people about their benefits at the end of life, as well as preparations for retirement, across the county. Marissa: Thanks for joining us, Pat.…
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Our Weekly Tip: Find a Grief Support Group
Connecting with others dealing with loss can be a important part of the grieving processOur Tip of the Week: Grief can feel incredibly lonely. In the process of coping with the death of a loved one, it’s common to feel alienated from everyday life and isolated from the people around you not currently dealing with profound loss. Bereavement groups give you the opportunity to connect with people who understand…
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“The Undertaking, Life Studies from the Dismal Trade”
Read Funeral Director Thomas Lynch’s book “The Undertaking, Life Studies from the Dismal Trade” for a real view inside funeral homesI’m long overdue to review the unquestionably seminal The Undertaking, Life Studies from the Dismal Trade, a book with an inside view of funeral homes. The work is written from the perspective of no less than a funeral director, Thomas Lynch. Mr. Lynch warmly opens his funeral home door to the reader, inviting us to…
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