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Simplicity in Amish Funerary Traditions
The culture of modesty breeds modest — and eco-friendly — funeral practicesHave you ever witnessed an Amish funeral? Unless you are, in fact, part of that community, you likely have not, and may have never even pondered it. They are modest and simple events, involving members of the family and the local community in preparation, services, and burial. A ritual funeral service is followed by months…
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Natural Transitions Presents New End-of-Life Film Festival
The Colorado organization celebrates its tenth anniversary with a new traditionThe non-profit center Natural Transitions celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with the start of a new tradition: an end-of-life film festival. The event, to be held in Boulder, Colorado, is yet another example of Natural Transition’s wonderful position as a dynamic community resource for everything end-of-life. “Natural Transitions has been a respected resource for…
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“Family Tree” Design Integrates SMS Technology with Urns
Designboom winners Loucas Papntoniou and Asta Sadauskaite digitilize death with their new take on the family treeSevenPonds recently highlighted the “Design for Death” competition by Designboom, which featured many innovative end-of-life creations — winners ranged from a biodegradable coffin to a device by Studio PSK that can “turn a loved one into rain” after their passing. Another award-winning design that caught our eye is, Family Tree, by Loucas Papntoniou and Asta…
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What Is a Sea Burial? (Interview)
A new look at the old tradition of burials at seaCaptain Brad White is the founder of New England Burials At Sea – also known as National Burials At Sea – which is used by the Navy, EPA and many funeral homes across America. New England Burials At Sea is an innovative and contemporary way to explore an old tradition. It is green, economical and – -perhaps most importantly —…
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“The Seeker’s Guide”
Make your life a spiritual adventure with this book“What must die within you now, so that you can grow?” In Elizabeth Lesser’s beautiful summation of life’s big questions, The Seeker’s Guide, we are given the opportunity to follow her rollercoaster of realizations, lessons, and insights as she herself seeks guidance from an array of spiritual teachers. Particularly in the chapter entitled “The Landscape…
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The Healing Power of Hugs
How a simple hug can help us through the grieving processIn a recent blog post, writer Suzanne Boles tells the story of how she grew to understand the healing power of a hug. A hug, she explains, is something so deceptively simple that we may think to overlook its power. And often, we only hug friends, family and those in our lives that we’re particularly…
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Funeral Rites in the Buddhist Tradition
Buddhists take a positive stance when it comes to death: the best way to approach it is without fear. On Buddhanet, you can find an abundance of information focusing on the beliefs about death and dying in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. Two of the most important aspects celebrate life more than they dwell on death. …
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“Like a River”
Carly Simon sings honestly about the death of her mother and the sad details, including settling the estate, that followedOne of my personal favorites, Carly Simon’s song “Like a River”, expresses the depth of Carly’s love following the death of her mother. Carly sings openly of “death’s struggle,” then peace and the subsequent sad details of settling the estate that must take place. That she “fought over the pearls” is as unsettling to Carly…
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A New Movement Helps Push Open the Conversation on Death
The website “Let’s Have Dinner and Talk About Death” offers ways to break bread and start talking about end of life topicsMichael Hebb, of the University of Washington, has a passion for getting the conversation going on death. He was on a train from Portland to Seattle and happened to sit in the diner car with two doctors — all were complete strangers. During the course of a casual conversation, he found out some shocking statistics; 62%…
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