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What Does It Mean to Be Terminally Ill?
A new perspective on terminal illnessFrom the moment we are born until we close our eyes for the last time, we walk hand in hand with death. Because we are human, we deny this truth as a matter of course, living our lives as if dying is something that only happens to someone else. We weave stories about the future…
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“The Ghost of You”
Rock band’s song about loss explores the darker innermost thoughts during griefMy Chemical Romance is an American emo rock band known for punchy guitar riffs and darker narrative themes that many mainstream artists rarely touch. While there is no shortage of songs by the band that focus on loss, death and grief, one of the most powerful ones, “The Ghost of You,” comes from one of…
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‘Hamnet’
A film about the loss of William Shakespeare’s son shows how differently couples can grieveWhile many films feature death and grief, they don’t always seem to fully understand the concepts. Filmmaking often simplifies and embellishes such subjects, but the 2025 film “Hamnet” by Chloé Zhao dives into the rawest and most honest depictions of a couple’s grief. Based on the historical fiction novel of the same name by Maggie…
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“Helen’s Birds”
A wordless graphic novel about an intergenerational friendship and a young girl’s experience with loss and griefDuring the grief journey, words sometimes seem like too much. Conversely, they might feel like they’re not quite enough to grasp the emotions of love and loss. Viewing loss through artistic storytelling offers a different perspective. Drawn by Sophie Casson and written by Sara Cassidy, “Helen’s Birds” follows Saanvi’s friendship with her elderly neighbor, Helen.…
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Can You Be Buried With Your Pet?
How whole-family cemeteries make it possibleDespite the fact that many Americans consider their pets to be valued members of their family, it is not a common practice for humans and pets to be buried together. Because cemeteries in the U.S. are generally regulated by laws which vary from state to state, those seeking to share their final resting place with…
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What is a Celebrant? (Interview)
A professional “celebrant” names the key ingredients for a successful memorialCelebrants are nondenominational professionals who help meet the ceremonial and spiritual needs of families, most commonly called upon for weddings and memorials. As a highly respected celebrant, Irene Kane creates personalized and memorable ceremonies throughout California. Below, Irene shares her memorial expertise with SevenPonds… Aurora: On your website, you say that you began marking “important…
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Will AI “Deadbots” Change How We Grieve?
Reaching out beyond the grave using AIThe rise of conversational AI tools has led to a “digital-afterlife industry” already valued in the billions, promising to replace the dead and the way they are remembered. The philosophical debates surrounding the explosion of artificial intelligence programs have mainly focused on big-picture elements: how AI might inadvertently amplify human biases, how AI programs lack…
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“Take this Body Home”
How one song captures the complexities of grief, love, and the meaning of “home” at life’s endWhen Rose Betts’s mother asked her to write a funeral song for her grandfather, she wasn’t sure how she was going to do it. Her family was estranged from him, and her feelings toward him were complicated. In a “tea and song” session on her social media, Betts explained her struggles writing “Take This Body…
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Our Monthly Tip: Easter-Inspired Theme for Child’s Memorial
For some, allusions to spring and rebirth might be comforting after the death of a childOur Tip of the Month An Easter–inspired memorial can provide a gentle, hopeful framework for honoring the life of a child while acknowledging profound grief. Because Easter centers themes of renewal, resurrection and enduring love, its symbolism can help families and communities focus not only on loss but also on remembrance and the love for…
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