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“Deadly” Cocktails and Their History
Don’t let the death-related names of these drinks fool you; these cocktails are sure to liven up any get-together.With summer upon us, thoughts naturally turn to refreshing libations to take the edge off the heat. With that in mind, this will be a fun article about “deadly” cocktails, aka drinks with death-related names, complete with a little history to entertain your guests while you mix these tasty treats. Deadly Cocktail #1: Death in…
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Comfort and Communication
The presence of loved ones can be felt even after deathThis is Lee’s story, as told by Angela Borrello. Our “Opening Our Hearts” stories are based on people’s real-life experiences with loss. By sharing these experiences publicly, we hope to help our readers feel less alone in their experience of grief and, ultimately, to aid them in their healing processes. In this post, we tell…
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Hilaria Baldwin Teaches Her Kids About Death With Family Trips to Cemeteries
The yoga instructor and wife of actor Alec Baldwin has some unique ideas to repair a child’s often negative association with cemeteries.Explaining the end of life to children can be complex and challenging. While kids are curious by nature, it’s not unusual for parents and other adults to find themselves at a loss for words when it comes to death. Hilaria Baldwin, the yoga instructor, and with husband Alec Baldwin the mother of seven children, is…
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Our Monthly Tip: Add Clouds to a Celebration of Life for a Heavenly Event
A poetic design idea can set an uplifting toneOur Tip of the Month Add love and light in the tribute to your loved one by adding clouds to your celebration of life. Nothing suggests peace or conjures soulful sentiments like soft, cottony clouds as they inspire the imagination to dream and even recall images of youth. This month’s playful design tip is inspired by…
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What Does It Mean To Die Well? (Interview)
Bioethicist Dr. Lydia Dugdale reflects on preparing ourselves for the end of lifeIn her book “The Lost Art of Dying,” bioethicist Dr. Lydia Dugdale explores the ways in which humans have prepared for death throughout history, and how we might apply that wisdom to the end-of-life experience today. Dugdale is a practicing internist as well as a professor of medicine at Columbia University, and she directs Columbia’s…
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What Does the Film Seven Pounds Have to Do With Our Site SevenPonds?
We debunk 7 myths about the movie and its relationship to our siteEvery once in awhile, when someone tries to say “SevenPonds,” they accidentally say “Seven Pounds”, referring to the film. Initially, before the film’s release, the producers intentionally put the name out there as a mystery mechanism to build suspense for the film. It fit well, since the film is a bit more on the arty…
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Green Goodbyes: Market Offers Options for Eco-Friendly Caskets
More consumers seek ways to reduce their ecological footprint, even in deathAs concerns about environmental challenges grow, more consumers are looking for ways to reduce their ecological footprint, even in death. According to the 2021 Green Funerals and Burial Survey, published in American Funeral Director magazine, 63% of respondents would consider a “green” funeral that incorporates eco-friendly practices. This applies to coffins, too: nearly 56% of…
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“Medical Aid in Dying: A Guide for Patients and Their Supporters”
Booklet is a valuable resource for anyone considering or curious about aid in dying.Medical Aid in Dying: A Guide for Patients and Their Supporters was born out of Dr. Lonny Shavelson’s years of firsthand experience, medical research and patient care in this evolving field. The 79-page booklet outlines the who, what, where, when and how medical aid in dying serves terminally ill patients as a justifiable means to…
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Whole Body Organ Donation Raises Ethical Considerations
Many types of research can be rapidly advanced with the practice, but the process might give some pause.In its May 1, 2025 issue, Science magazine published a research article written by neurologists and a bioethicist discussing the potential research benefits — and the subsequent delicate ethical considerations — of using “physiologically maintained deceased” organ donors, or PMDs, for research into new drug therapies. As the team explains, PMDs are “deceased humans in…
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