-
“One day can make your life. One day can ruin your life. All life is, is four or five days that change everything.”
– Beverly DonofrioRead more from “Laughter is Medicine” here.
/
-
Breaking the Taboo of Death
A long journey from the grim reaper to current Death CafesIf a person searches the word ‘death’, artists’ renditions of the Grim Reaper appear on the screen—each one depicting a similar figure of a haunting, skeleton figure, enshrouded in a black cloak, drawing us forward with his scythe. These images of a decayed body, hiding beneath a cloak shape the idea of death as something…
/
-
An Unusual Funeral Service for an Unusual Person
Joan Rivers lived showbiz and made it clear she wanted to go out all showbiz – and so she did!It’s not often we hear a funeral described as a “red carpet extravaganza,” but what else could we expect from Joan Rivers? The sharp-tongued comedian is still getting laughs nearly a week after her death. Judging by her last wish, that’s exactly the way she liked it. “I don’t want some rabbi rambling on.” In…
/
-
“Taps”
One of the most prolific funeral songs in American history that brings back childhood memories of campWhen it comes to funeral music, there is one haunting melody that reigns supreme in the minds of Americans. Having origins in the 1800s, Taps goes by many names, including Day Is Done, Lights Out, Extinguish Lights and Butterfield’s Lullaby. If your fallen hero or you have chosen to take part in the long-standing tradition…
/
-
Wearing My Grandmother’s Locket: The Real Value of an Antique Beauty
Family jewelry, especially my grandmother’s, creates a physical connection between who she was and who I am todayI was thinking the other day about the family jewelry I have had the fortune to have had passed down to me over the years. Not many pieces, really, but I have been lucky to receive at least one piece of jewelry from each family member. I have actually incorporated each piece into my personal…
/
-
Pomegranates Helping Alzheimer’s
Research shows pomegranates calm brain inflammation for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’sAccording to the American Alzheimer’s Association, over 15.5 million people provided 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care to those suffering from the disease in 2013 alone. That adds up to over $200 billion of care – and doesn’t even tally up the emotional and physical toll that such care has on friends and family. The…
/
-
Monday Hearts for Madalene
Page Hodel creates the most beautiful hearts in an ongoing celebration of loveLove is the spice of 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…
/
-
Before I Die: Communities in Conversation about Death
Candy Chang created the first “Before I Die” wall, which has now become a sensation worldwideWhen American Candy Chang stumbled upon an abandoned house in her New Orleans neighborhood — grey, decrepit, windows in shambles — she had an idea. Rather than let the building decay, she saw the potential for an inspiring project that could give it new life. The result? The Before I Die installation series, which has…
/
-
What Is Mantram Singing? (Interview)
Musician and mantram singer Jan Stoneman explains what mantram singing is and how it applies to aging, dying and deathToday SevenPonds speaks with Jan Stoneman, a musician and mantram singer who volunteers on a weekly basis at AgeSong—an innovative assisted living facility in San Francisco. He leads groups singing mantrams to AgeSong’s residents, including at bedsides for those unable to leave their rooms. Stoneman holds a Bachelor’s in Music from Juilliard and is currently…
/
Want an Easier Way to Plan a Memorial Event? Get our FREE guide
“7 Ways to Create an Amazing Celebration of Life”
