The actual funeral or memorial service is not the only way that a memorial signature book is used.  Frequently, when a loved one passes away family and friends gather at the home of the family, bringing food and other gifts in order to help support the family.  Frequently, it is at these times that friends and loved ones share their sorrow or even stories or memories from the past.  Many people like to have a memorial signature book at their home, so that those who come by to offer their sympathy can leave their signature along with notes about any food or other gifts they brought along.

Many family members and surviving loved ones find it a comfort months or even years after the service to review the memorial signature book in order to remind them of who attended the service.  Additionally, if a service is extremely large and there are hundreds of people in attendance, families can browse the book to see who may have been there that they missed following the service.  A memorial signature book is something that family members may look at years from now, and will help to preserve special memories from the past.

It’s also very helpful when it comes time to send out special thanks to those who brought food to the home or provided their support in some other way.  As you look through the memorial signature book used at the family home, it is easy to know exactly who brought certain foods or other gifts to the house so that thank-you cards can easily be sent.  Many families choose to have a memorial signature book both at the funeral or memorial service, and at their own home when friends, relatives and other guests stop by to offer their condolences.

More from Scattering Ashes Blog

Urn for Ashes

Urns for ashes allow us, as humans, to maintain a connection to a loved one who has passed.  To some Christians, cremation simply does not seem right or normal somehow.  Others accept it fully.  Maybe it is simply each individuals perception of what is right and wrong.  While some have strong feelings about urns for ashes and may not consider them as a memorial, cremation urns today are as beautiful as any decor or display you will find.  Why are some so against cremation?

Since the beginning of time, the traditional way to say goodbye to a loved one was through ground burial.  In our minds, if a body is still intact and buried beneath the earth, they are still “there.”  Cremation, to some, means that  the body is completely gone in a physical sense, which may be why it is so hard for some to understand.  However, when it comes to what is right or wrong Biblically, some Christians may be surprised.  And, if it is the fact that you want your loved one buried in a cemetery that keeps you from grasping this method of memorial, many urns for ashes can be buried and marked with a head stone or other grave marker just like what has been the tradition with casket burial.

In recent years, the idea of cremation is settling in as a “normal” way to send a loved one off to eternity.  For some, it is the financial aspect that has led them to turn in a new direction.  Urns for ashes are usually much less costly than traditional caskets, and the savings is substantial.  Given the state of the economy, everyone is looking for every way they can to pinch pennies, and cremation is a loving way to do just that.  The process is not harsh or unimaginably cruel – in fact, it is completely natural.  According to the Bible, from ashes we came and to ashes we will return.  Consider the following passage from Genesis 3:19:

“By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust your will return.”

Pretty clear, and undeniable.  The truth of the matter is, when a loved one passes this life it is their spirit that transcends into eternity.  Urns for ashes are the perfect way for you to keep your loved one close to your heart and mind.

Everyone who is a Christian understands that the mortal body will be left behind, and that all will have a new body in Christ.  So, if you are hard set against cremation, you may want to think about it carefully.  There is nothing unnatural about it, and it is a wonderful way to let your loved one dictate their destination.  Urns for ashes can be buried, or you may scatter the ashes of your loved one in a favorite place where they spent their most enjoyable times.

Despite the differences from state to state regarding what is allowed, a few general principles usually apply.  First, all civic entities agree that the ashes and the receptacle that carried them need to be disposed of separately.  Also, ashes should not be scattered on private property without the express permission of the owner, and most public lands like city parks do not allow any disposal of remains at all.  However, “uncontrolled public lands,” like lakes or woodlands may be acceptable sites depending on the state in which they are located.

The most common place people choose to scatter ashes is in a body of water, but different rules apply depending on what type of body it is.  Regulations for scattering remains in inland waters are governed by the Clean Water Act, but the guidelines for doing the same in an ocean fall under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has different regulations depending on what region of the country is involved.

Many companies offer various “burial at sea” options that allow families a wide array choices.  Some people prefer that the company take care of scattering of the ashes themselves without family or friends present while others want to plan and conduct their own memorial service on the boat.  In these instances, the company simply takes care of the logistical details, like obtaining the necessary permits and monitoring the weather.  Others prefer more of a hybrid approach to memorializing a loved one by not being present on the boat itself during the scattering but instead standing by on land to watch from the shore.

The idea of burial at sea fills many people with a romantic notion about their loved one’s ashes mingling with the currents and traveling to far-off lands.  In reality though, the ashes sink to the bottom of the ocean floor.  For those who wish to feel that their loved one’s remains are doing “more” than this, a relatively recent development has been the use of “living memorial reefs.”  Instead of simply scattering the ashes to sink to the ocean floor, they are released over a coral reef and in turn become part of the natural eco-system.  This has become a popular choice for those concerned about the environmental issues raised regarding the disposal of human remains.

Burial and cremation are two different techniques.  Burial requires investing on caskets and paying for the rest of the funeral expenses that go with the ceremonies pertinent to the event.  Cremation may only require spending a night with your loved one after he passes away.  You may rent caskets too if you wish to spend some more nights with your dearly beloved.  However, instead of burying them in cemeteries or memorial parks, you will have their remains as ashes.

More on burial and cremation

Apart from the aforementioned facts on these two funeral techniques, there are other distinctions and similarities to take note of in burial and cremation.  You may consider the following information of great help knowing that you need to decide on such matters in the future.

1.    The process.  Burial requires some processing and documentation before the ceremonies may be conducted.  You need to inform your church about the actual funeral day as well as give notice to the cemetery where you want the grave set.  For cremation, you also need to inform a crematorium about your intent to have your loved ones cremated.

2.    Services.  As mentioned a while back, both burial and cremation require funeral services to give you the time to grieve for the loss in your family.  Eulogies and necrological services may also be conducted depending on your loved one’s request before he departed.

3.    Reception.  Knowing where you will place your loved one’s remains for the last few nights is a decision you and your family should discuss about.  Whether you will eventually choose a burial or a cremation, you should choose the right place to spend the last nights with your beloved.  Your options include your home, a chapel, a church or any other private place where solemnity is assured.

4.    After funeral services.  In burial methods, you conduct the ceremonies before your loved one is buried to the ground.  In cremation, there are other rites done after the funeral.  Scattering ashes to the sea or land is an option to consider.  Placing the remaining ashes inside an urn and spending a vigil the night after the ceremonies is also part of the choice for cremation.

Visitation arrangements are also similar in both burial and cremation.  It is up to you and your family to determine who should pay the last respects to your loved one.  The costs in these techniques may vary.  Some says that cremation is cheaper plus you also have the chance to place the urn inside your home.  But, burial remains to be a popular option for a lot of families.  In the end, you still decide about the whole thing.

Interestingly, this change in awareness has also prompted a change with green urns which at the same time are useful, beautiful and do not leave behind any form of impurity that could harm the planet. These changes include making of urns through unfired clay, recycled paper and other non lethal materials that putrefy rapidly once buried or thrown into the sea or river.

Although the making of these green urns are quiet multifaceted it can be formed into any of the artistic urns that are made of other materials that are much more expensive and that cannot be recycled. These green urns are made with material that is durable enough to take carry it to the designated place where the ashes or are meant to be buried scattered. If these remains need to be transported via an aircraft carrier to another location it can be done so with ease. The airport security section will make sure that these types of urns are taken to their destination without any effort.

Another new procedure to create uniquely beautiful urns that give it a rustic look like clay is the “rough-pulping” method. Interestingly enough this method makes use of recycled paper and the output is that of an old world charm. Once the pulp is obtained through various methods, it is given different forms and shapes that are much quicker to degrade if it is buried in soil. The “shell” series is a commonly used series that uses this technique to create green urns in the form of beautiful artistic shells. These shell urns are most commonly used for water burials and when immersed in the sea it floats for a while and then descends into the sea.

Green urns usually come along packed neatly in biodegradable bags, so that the remains of your loved one can be carried as far as a hill top to be buried or scattered. The bag also serves as a dual purpose where the remains will not spill into your backpack or your luggage whilst en route to your destination. These green urns are usually designed and hand crafted by expert craftsman and well known artists with exquisite designs, colors and paintings.

Keeping up with the “go green” theme, paints that are used for the urn decoration are all non-toxic and in most cases vegetable dyes are used as well. These are naturally made colors and are a bit expensive since it is a meticulous process; it is environmentally friendly and does no harm to the earth. These urns can be formed and painted according to the personality of the deceased in whose memory the urn is being created. It is also a reflection of their sentiments that were always for the benefit of the planet and never intended any harm to it even after they are dead.

Scattering urns are suitable for water and land scattering. We have a wonderful line of new scattering urns for your loved one’s memorial service.

We lead the biodegradable urns market by providing the largest selection of exclusive products online. View our burial urns for further options. Our passion is to work towards a sustainable and green company, community and world.

Biodegradable Urns: Go Greener

Losing a family member or a loved one is very upsetting and shocking. Grieving is a process that stays with many of us for a long time. A grieving person  findsit quite difficult to endure the loss of a loved one and plan whether to bury or cremate the departed.

If your loved one was concerned about the environment and the fact that leaving a carbon footprint on earth is not good, you may want to pay tribute to their life in a very special way.

It is very common to scatter the ashes of a loved one. Urns designed for this purpose are carefully made to hold ashes of your loved one and then disperse those ashes back to the earth in an easier way.  This pays a dignified and respectful ways towards your beloved. These are called biodegradable urns. People, who are environmental conscious, use these urns for their dear ones as a tribute to their belief in the continuation of life after death.

Biodegradable urns are also called bio urns. They represent a growing section of the cremation urn industry and are increasing in popularity as more people become aware of the effects of non-biodegradable materials on the earth.

Why Should A Biodegradable Urn Be Used?

Bio urns are used for many reasons by the eco friendly people. Mainly people who are environmentally conscious choose these urns as an affirmation of their believe that ecology is a concern for all of humankind. The benefit of these urns are viewed as a source of giving back minerals and nutrients to the Earth. In this way these biodegradable urns help to preserve land. They offer a great solution for dispersion of your loved one’s ashes at sea by momentarily containing the cremated remains and restraining them from accidental scattering  at the time of dispersion.

When these urns are used for land burial then they will completely break down in approximately one year depending on the surrounding climate.

Biodegradable urns are created using natural resources including

• paper
• natural clays
• wood
• water-soluble non-toxic paints

They are eco friendly and fester naturally. Some of them are designed to break down or decompose slowly over time when placed into the earth. Others are intended to liquefy in minutes when positioned into a body of water. People are considering the environment more often now. This is due the effects of the global warming, pollution of the earth’s water, and destruction of natural resources.

The type of materials biodegradable urns are made of is specific to the type of use they will receive. Many of the urns are made primarily of paper and will dissolve In rapidly in water. These urns are ideal for scattering cremains at sea.

This concept is like others that are “green” in general.  It simply means that environmental consciousness is practiced and that efforts are made in all areas to become eco-friendly.  Natural burial methods and burial urns are used when the family of the deceased chooses to lay their loved one to rest in a manner that is earth friendly.

Green cemeteries allow only biodegradable caskets.  These are usually made of sustainable wood.  Embalming is another area in which it is possible to sustain the natural element.  Instead of using embalming fluid, the body may be preserved with dry ice or by refrigeration, or formaldehyde-free embalming fluid may be used.  Of course, green funeral practices are varied, much as traditional funerals are.

Many people are not familiar with this process.  Green cemeteries, in an effort to preserve the earth, does not use pesticides or herbicides, and uses no irrigation for maintenance.  Replenishing the earth is their main purpose, which is why no vaults or non-biodegradable caskets are allowed. In modern times, the first known green burial took place in 1993 in England, and since then it has become much more well known.  In fact, there are now nearly 40 green burial grounds in the United Kingdom.

In the U.S., there are 10 states that currently have green cemeteries, and there are more in development.  The Green Burial Council promotes sustainable, meaningful funeral practices.  The nonprofit organization is working to help remove greenwashing in the funeral industry by creating standards that must be met to qualify as a green cemetery.  Greenwashing is a term that means giving the appearance of being environmentally concerned and implementing the practices when it may not be a reality.

Often when families choose to go the natural route and are concerned about the environment, they choose to take the “green” route, which is increasing in popularity each day.  Many green cemeteries conserve and restore land, and recommend that families use native trees and flat stones as grave markers.  This trend is fast becoming a real choice for those who are concerned about preserving the earth.

As more and more people are implementing eco-friendly practices in everything they do from shopping to travel, the U.S. hopes to increase the awareness of green cemeteries, and become known as Great Britain is for its efforts to preserve the earth and create safer practices.