Losing a Pet, a Unique Human Experience of Grief

Recent medical researches show that owning a pet has positive mental and physical effects on the pet owners. People who have developed emotional attachment to a pet are happier and healthier. Reportedly, caring for them, touching them, feeding them, talking to them, playing with them or even just watching them, relaxes, eases, relieves stress and makes the quality of life better. Further, it does not only decrease heart rate, but also lowers hypertensions. Owning a pet is found to be beneficial especially to people who are shy and withdrawn; it enables them to share feelings which they cannot express in normal situations. Talking to a pet about one’s troubles and sadness provides them the venue to ventilate their feelings, which is therapeutic. However, it is also this emotional attachment that makes grief over losing a pet a distressing human experience. While it is a source of relief from stress it is also the source of emotionally devastating grief. But like any experience of grief, it can be dealt with overtime.

Why is losing a pet a unique individual grief? The grief of losing a pet is unique to every pet owner. The grief experience could differ depending on some factors:

First, is the willingness of the person to work on this painful experience. It is natural to feel depressed and to grieve. But unfortunately, some would prefer to push the feeling away because of people around who devalue pet loss; their painful feeling experienced because of losing a pet is not appreciated and understood. When feelings are repressed, it takes a long time for healing to happen.

Second, is the person’s coping capacity to grieve. Some people refuses to accept the reality that his beloved pet will never come back and that he has to exist without him; they will experience difficulty coping with grief than those who tries to be strong and who find ways to learn to let go.

Third, is the person’s level of emotional attachment to the pet. The deeper is the emotional attachment with the pet, the more difficult the healing process will take place.

Fourth, are the circumstances that led to the pet loss. If losing the pet was sudden due to accident or similar mishap, the grief reaction would be more profound and intense. It will prolong the pet owner’s time to heal.

If the pet loss was due to a pet’s illness or old age, the time to be emotionally prepared for the anticipated loss will help the owner get over the ordeal in a short time.
It the pet loss occurred because of physical separation, the uncertainty as to what happened to the pet after it was lost and can’t be found, will cause some feeling of guilt and frustration and this as well shall prolong the healing.

The void, the feeling of emptiness and the hole created in the heart by the passing of one’s pet may never be filled up in a short while that one expects, pet replacement may not even be effective, but certainly it will never be good to allow the hurt to linger unresolved. A pet memorial can be an effective way to morn the loss. There are a number of ways to cope with a worst experience of losing a pet, but it is only you who can best decide which one is most effective. The way to cope is as unique as the way one experiences the grief.

The Purpose of Memorial Jewelry

Memorial jewelry has not been around all that long, but has certainly increased in popularity in recent times.  Why do people buy memorial jewelry, and what do they use it for?  If this concept is new to you, we will explain the fascinating facts behind this exquisite jewelry, and how people use it in different ways.

Many people find it very hard, if not impossible, to cope after losing a loved one.  If the deceased chose to be cremated, memorial jewelry often helps them find closure, and cope with the death.  Since you can place a small portion of the cremains inside, many people get a feeling of peace knowing that a beloved family member or friend is nearby.  This can also be a comfort to those who are not comfortable with the idea of cremation.

For those families who are comfortable with the cremation process, they often want to share the ashes with the entire family and have the majority of the ashes either buried or scattered. Memorial jewelry allows several family members or other loved ones to each have the one they loved so much close to their heart and soul.  Another wonderful thing about cremation keepsake jewelry is that it comes in a huge variety of designs and price ranges, so that anyone can find a beautiful memorial that suits their style taste and budget.

One use of memorial jewelry is truly unique.  Some people choose to place the jewelry on display in a glass dome, and use it as decor for their home.  In many instances, the jewelry may be taken out for a special occasion, such as an annual memorial ceremony or other event.  Others choose never to actually wear the cremation keepsake jewelry, but just to display it in a glass dome or other special container.

Still others purchase memorial jewelry for the purpose of placing it inside a burial urn with the ashes of a loved one.  It is simply a tribute from you to your loved one, and a wonderful memorial to the deceased.  From gold, silver and stainless steel to beautiful lockets and wood, you will find that cremation keepsake jewelry is not at all unattractive or ’strange’ looking, but in fact is absolutely exquisite.

The wonderful thing about memorial jewelry is that you can find a style or design that represents the spirit, passions or personality of your beloved that has gone on – and that is a great comfort to many families.

Information About Cremation Jewelry

Families of deceased loved ones whose remains have been cremated used to have only one option for storing the ashes – an urn. But today, people who literally wish to keep their loved ones with them at all times in a meaningful, artistic way can choose from a vast array of cremation jewelry. Also called keepsake jewelry or memorial jewelry, these unique accessories allow for the storage of a small amount of the deceased’s ashes inside a necklace, bracelet, or even a ring. Unlike the cremation urn, which generally remains in one place either as an outdoor monument or a decorative piece indoors on a bookshelf or mantle, cremation jewelry can be a much more visible tribute and keepsake since it can be worn daily and can go with the wearer no matter where he or she goes. It should be noted, though, that ashes aren’t the only things that people save inside of their memorial keepsake. Some put a tiny bit of the ground where the loved one was buried if the body was not cremated, others include a lock of hair, still others choose to capture crushed petals from a flower, and others select a small piece of fabric. More often than not, though, this specialized jewelry is used to hold cremated ashes.

There are so many wonderful memorial options when searching for the right piece of cremation jewelry. One popular choice is a silver pendant which can be worn on a chain or any other type of necklace. Although religious pendants like crosses, angels, or Stars of David are commonly chosen, a pendant could take nearly any form. Options include everything from nature images, like butterflies and four-leaf clovers, to more unique forms, like golf clubs and teddy bears. Since they can be made of nearly any material and can demonstrate just about any design, the possibilities are truly endless. Some cremation pendants come as lockets which include not only the deceased’s ashes but also a space for a small photo of the loved one. Additionally, most all of these pendants can be easily engraved with initials or dates.

Although far less commonly chosen than pendants for necklaces, cremation bracelets and rings are options as well. And like cremation pendants, bracelets and rings are made for and worn by both men and women. Similarly, they too can be made of several different materials whose containers can take on any number of different shapes and designs.

Deceased persons aren’t the only ones whose remains can be memorialized and kept close at hand through necklaces, bracelets, or rings. Cremation jewelry is also available to preserve the memory and remains of beloved pets. Common choices for pet cremation jewelry are figures of dogs and cats, paw prints, and dog houses. Also, many of these often include a space to add a picture. Like creation jewelry designed to honor people who have died, those for deceased pets can take a variety of forms, be made from an assortment of different materials, and be engraved with initials or dates.

There are nearly unlimited choices available for cremation jewelry. Grieving families need not make decisions too quickly. Whether working with a funeral sales representative or studying the options by themselves online, families need to consider not only the size, shape, design, and materials available but also the cost. Cremation jewelry for both humans and pets range in price from the very affordable to the outrageously expensive, and careful research on all of the possibilities available is necessary for a decision that families will feel not only secure with but also comforted by into the future.

Customized Cremation Urns

Many times when we think about customized urns we think of a name plate or some special token engraved on the urn. However, there is another type of customized urn that is a splendid way to convey the personality and message of a loved one, or, if we choose our urn during the pre-planning process for our funeral for ourselves.

Imagine the activities that your loved one loved to do. Maybe it was riding a motorcycle, perhaps it was fishing, camping, hiking, or some other activity that will remind you of that person each time you see someone doing that activity. Imagine the statement about the life a person has lived being created in a way that will hold their cremains in a durable and sturdy urn that will not become damaged over time.

Custom urns are created on a special order basis. They are designed to meet the needs of the person who has passed. Perhaps your loved one rode a motorcycle, you can view the many cremation urns that are shaped like the gas tank of a motorcycle and has a handcrafted base to support it. Perhaps your loved one was a fanatic about a certain sport. Imagine being able to have an exact replica of a football, soccer ball, or other piece of equipment created out of a durable material such as bronze, brass, pewter, or ceramic that looks just like that piece of equipment.

These urns are created after the artist meets with you to decide exactly what you want. And, the urn can also have a name plate added or be engraved with information about your loved one. This exciting tribute is something that will be enjoyed by all of the family and friends of the deceased as they share favorite memories about the loved one at their favorite sporting event or activity.

Perhaps you are the type of person who has said throughout their life that they will “die with their boots on.” During your pre-planning meeting with an urn designer you can select the customized “boot” urn made from bronze, brass, or some other durable material that you want your cremains placed in and even add your own saying on a plate that is attached to the boot.

The artists who create custom urns use the techniques and methods necessary to make whatever material you choose for your customized urn look like the texture of the item that you want replicated. In addition, you can select any color that you wish for your customized urn and even add some other personal touches that will make it complete yours.

How to Buy Urns for Ashes of Just the Right Size

Urns for Ashes

Many people find it somewhat difficult to buy a memorial for a loved one.  One reason is because of the many different styles and designs.  During the process of purchasing an urn, it is important to consider the size of the receptacle. This article helps you determine how large your urn should be.

The size of a casket depends on the size of the body that will be held inside it.  In the same light, the size of the urns for ashes you should get depends on the volume of cremated remains that will be placed in it.  Given that, how then should you determine the size of the cremation urn that you should get?

Measuring the Volume of the Ashes

The most common way to asses the size cremation urn that you need is to get the weight (in pounds) of the person before they were cremated. So if the person weighed 150 pounds when they passes, then you would need an urn that has a minimum of 150 cubic inches of space.

If you are not sure or if you are splitting up the ashes, another way you can be sure of when it comes to getting a memorials for ashes of just the right size is to measure the volume of the ashes itself.  This can be a difficult thing to do; if you feel that you cannot handle this task by yourself, ask a friend or a relative to do this for you or assist.

When you receive your departed loved one’s cremated remains from the crematorium, it would come in a plastic bag that is usually marked with a coin on the top. This coin on the top was very important at the crematorium, because it was used to identify the cremated remains.

If you are splitting up the ashes, it may be important to you to have an urn that is close to the size of the cremated remains. So that the memorial is as fitting as possible. This may not be an issue for you at all. The memorial doesn’t really need to be the same size as the remains. But some people feel this is important and we encourage you to think about it before purchasing.

Space Allocations for Burial

If you are going to choose urns for ashes that will be displayed at home or in your garden, then you could go for as big an urn as you want.  However, if you are going to have the urn rest at a vault in a columbarium or bury it in a plot, you would need to know how much space will be allocated for your urn.  The space allocation is another factor that will help you decide what size of urns for ashes you should get.

Some columbaria have space enough for two urns per vault.  Some are big enough to hold four.  You should ask just how big the vaults are and how many urns do you intend to store in the vaults in the future in order to determine what size of urns for ashes you should buy. Pet urns for ashes are available by Pets to Rest. The same principles apply when finding the right size cremation urn for a pet.

Stainless Steel Cremation Jewelry

Keepsake Jewelry

At In the Light Urns, we offer many styles of jewelry including our stainless steel cremation jewelry collection.  When a loved one passes in to eternity, it is very hard on the remaining family members, and the grieving process takes time.  We offer beautiful keepsake jewelry that is not only durable, but very affordable as well. Many families find themselves without an abundance of money these days, and that is especially true when the deceased made no final arrangements prior to their death.

The stainless steel cremation jewelry offered here is the best you will find anywhere.  Sleek and stylish, all are backed by our 365 day guarantee, and come with a beautiful plush gift box, funnel and glue so that you can keep a memento or portion of the cremains securely inside the jewelry.  One thing that is very special about these types of keepsakes is that you can always feel connected to your dearly departed, and no one else will ever know exactly how much meaning your stainless steel cremation jewelry really carries inside.

One particular piece that has proven very popular at In the Light Urns is the 357 Magnum Pendant Keepsake, which is available in Gold Tip, Plain, Tribal, Cross and Dragon designs.  If your loved one loved bowling, the Bowling Pin keepsake urn in gold or black may be the perfect choice. For pet cremation jewelry visit Pets to Rest. All of our pendants are of a medium weight, and made to last.  The fine details and craftsmanship you will find make a jewelry keepsake a special piece that will give you comfort and hold a special place in your heart for years to come.

While we carry keepsake jewelry in many materials and styles, you will find the stainless steel memorial jewelry to be especially good for those who must be budget minded.  Our products are priced so that no matter what your budget, you can memorialize your loved one in a way that is truly fitting and represents their unique personality and style.  People are unique, and the way they are remembered should be as well.  The way in which survivors process the death of a loved one is unique as well, and each has their own way of dealing with loss.

At In the Light Urns, we realize that this is most likely the hardest time you have ever experienced. We offer our quality products to you in an effort to help ease at least a small portion of your burden, and hope that you will find something that helps ease your pain and seems the perfect memorial keepsake to help you keep your beloved close to heart and mind.

Memorial Jewelry: A Way of Saying “Thank You” and “Remember”

In olden times, relatively well-off families who held memorial services for a recently departed family member gave away black gloves, black ribbons and memorial jewelry to special people who came to pay their respects.  This is especially true if the person who passed away is a cherished member of the family and is a notable citizen of the community.  The memorial jewelry serves as a commemoration of this person’s passing as well as a show of the family’s wealth and influence in the community.

Although the politics of such memorial jewelry are now forgotten, the practice of giving them away to special people still lives on among many families.  These unique jewelry pieces are now considered as keepsakes and a way of saying “thank you” for sharing the family’s grief.

The Purpose of Memorial Jewelry

As mentioned above, memorial jewelry pieces are now seen as keepsakes and tokens of appreciation for showing up at the memorial service.  As keepsakes, they are meant to help the recipient remember what kind of person the departed was while he or she was still alive, as well as what kind of life the departed had lived.

Memorial jewelry are also given away as souvenirs, just like favors that people distribute at weddings, baby showers and birthday parties.  However, due to the nature of a memorial service, memorial jewelry pieces hold a deeper meaning than just being party favors.  They are a way by which the loved ones that the departed left behind show their appreciation to their special guests for sharing their grief.

Memorial Jewelry Styles

In the olden days, memorial jewelry pieces usually come as engraved silver rings, mostly because silver is a cheaper metal than gold and looks better when worn against black.  Today, however, cremation keepsakes can come in various kinds and styles.

Aside from rings, these jewelry pieces are now available as lockets, bracelets or bangles.  There are also some designs that are not really meant to be worn.  Some memorial jewelry pieces can have engravings of the departed’s name as well as his or her dates of birth and death.  Lockets and pendants can have a picture of the departed.  Some jewelry pieces can also serve as cremation jewelry, where some of the ashes of the departed are stored within.

No matter what form or style memorial jewelry pieces can take, it is always an honor to receive one.  It means that the family of the departed considers you special enough to have a memento of the departed in your keeping.

Dove Cremation Urn

Absolutely beautiful wood engraved cremation urn. The detail is very impressive!

Burial Urns for Pets

These days, people spend money on their pets just as they do the human members of their family. Burial pet urns are becoming more common for a memorial, as many tend to lay their best friend to rest in a way that is more loving and meaningful than simply burying them in the back yard.

Burial Urn for Pets

You may not be aware of this, but there are somewhere in the area of 600 to 1000 active pet cemeteries in the United States, and this is estimated to be about a $150,000,000 business currently, and growing fast.  The majority of pets that are buried in these cemeteries are cremated.

Of course burying a pet is not as costly as a human, but the costs do vary.  These cremation urns are often in many sizes; burial urns are made in several materials. And an urn for your pet allows you to lay your beloved little buddy to rest in a way that exhibits how much you truly loved him, and that he was a meaningful member of the family that will be sorely missed.

For decades, people have been laying their pets to rest in pet cemeteries, but it has continued to grow in popularity.  Back in 1896, Dr. Samuel Johnson who was a New York City vet offered his apple orchard for the burial of a friends dog.  Currently, the Hartsdale Canine Cemetery, which is the oldest operating pet cemetery in existence in the U.S., has nearly 70,000 pets using it as their final resting place.

Using burial urns for pets is a way to help you through the grieving process, and show dignity to your old friend.  Just as you do when a member of the family or a friend dies, you need closure.  Choosing an urn that suits the personality of your pet helps you put everything in perspective, and helps you to begin the healing process.  Many people feel nearly as close to their beloved dogs and cats as they do to the human members of their family, so putting them to rest in a way that is truly special is important.

When your cherished pet passes away, it truly is like losing a member of the family.  He/She has been there to greet you when you arrive home, and is always happy to see you.  No matter what your mood or temperament, a pet loves you all the same.  Show your pet the love and respect you feel for them when they pass on by using burial urns that are reflective of their special existence in your life.

Cremation Jewelry: Different Choices for Different Individuals

Cremation Jewelry

Losing a loved one will bring sorrow and grief. The process of memorialization becomes very important. And memorial jewelry is useful not only for yourself, but also for others. The remains must be split in order for there to be separate keepsakes. Many family members can have the remains of the lost loved one in keepsakes. Cremation jewelry is not as simple as you think it is.  The truth is you are given a lot of choices for these keepsakes.

Different types of cremation jewelry
Cremation jewelry basically contains the remaining ashes of your dearly beloved.  In some cases, you may also use ceremonial flowers or a lock of hair. Generally cremation keepsakes will come in 3 different forms:

1.     Pendants:  Cremation jewelry is actually typified in a pendant.  Inside the pendant, the ashes left from the cremation rites will be distributed depending on the number of family and friends who want to have their own share.  There are triangular and heart-shaped pendants.  There may also be small keepsakes for animal lovers. Learn about animal cremation jewelry. Some follows the shape of a bell, a dolphin or even a butterfly.  Porcelain and glass materials are popular choices too.

2.     Bracelets:  Another popular type of cremation jewelry is a bracelet.  This may be made out of different metals where the ashes and ceremonial flowers may be placed.  At some points, these keepsakes may have their own pendants where the ashes and ceremonial flowers are kept.

3.     Rings:  Often little rings can hold cremains. Though these are not as common as the previous two keepsakes, they are available to you.

How to choose cremation jewelry
Cremation jewelry may be known by any other name.  It is often referred to as cremation pendants, memorial jewelry and memorial keepsakes.  No matter how varied the options are when it comes to ordering cremation jewelry, make sure that the wishes of yourself and your beloved are respected.  Get the consensus of the whole family and ask who is interested in jewelry as a keepsake from the departed.

It will be a good idea if every member of the household will be able to contribute on the purchase of keepsakes. This jewelry can be as affordable as $30 each and up to the most expensive jewelry available. When filling the keepsakes, be sure to discuss this process with everyone involved. Sometimes it’s a good idea to have one person fill all the keepsakes; as they will learn how to insert ashes and will be the sole person dealing with the ashes.

Cremation Jewelry: Different Choices for Different Individuals

Losing a loved one will bring sorrow and grief. The process of memorialization becomes very important.

Cremation jewelry is useful not only for yourself, but also for others. The remains must be split in order for there to be separate keepsakes. Many family members can have the remains of the lost loved one in keepsakes.

Cremation jewelry is not as simple as you think it is. The truth is you are given a lot of choices for these keepsakes.

Different types of cremation jewelry

Cremation jewelry basically contains the remaining ashes of your dearly beloved. In some cases, you may also use ceremonial flowers or a lock of hair. Generally cremation keepsakes will come in 3 different forms:

1. Pendants: Cremation jewelry is actually typified in a pendant. Inside the pendant, the ashes left from the cremation rites will be distributed depending on the number of family and friends who want to have their own share. There are triangular and heart-shaped pendants. There may also be small vases that looks like a “mini me” of the larger cremation urns. Some follows the shape of a bell, a dolphin or even a butterfly. Porcelain and glass materials are popular choices too.

2. Bracelets: Another popular type of cremation jewelry is a bracelet. This may be made out of different crystals where the ashes and ceremonial flowers may be placed. At some points, these keepsakes may have their own pendants where the ashes and ceremonial flowers are preserved. In some cases where cremation leaves bone fragments after the ceremony, the bones may be used in making the bracelets.

3. Rings: Often little rings can hold cremains. Though these are not as common as the previous two keepsakes, they are available to you.

How to choose cremation jewelry

Cremation jewelry may be known by any other name. It is often referred to as cremation pendants, memorial jewelry and memorial keepsakes. No matter how varied the options are when it comes to ordering cremation jewelry, make sure that the wishes of yourself and your beloved are respected. Get the consensus of the whole family and ask who is interested in jewelry as a keepsake from the departed.

It will be a good idea if every member of the household will be able to contribute on the purchase of keepsakes. This jewelry can be as affordable as $30 each and up to the most expensive jewelry available. When filling the keepsakes, be sure to discuss this process with everyone involved. Sometimes it’s a good idea to have one person fill all the keepsakes; as they will learn how to insert ashes and will be the sole person dealing with the ashes.