I have always been in pretty good health, so I was surprised one day when my doctor told me my blood pressure was a bit high. She told me to begin watching my salt intake, start exercising, and to try to relax. Well, I intended to follow her advice when I left her office, but the next day I was back to my same habits. I kept using the salt shaker and didn't begin an exercise routine like I had planned. When I went for my next check-up, she told me that my blood pressure was even higher and approaching a dangerous level. I had to begin a blood pressure medication to manage it. I wanted to create a blog to share my story and remind people to listen to their doctors' advice. If a few lifestyle changes can improve your health, then you should make them.
The loss of a friend or family member can be overwhelming. From the initial shock of their death and the enormous ache in your heart to the stressful expenses that are necessary to say goodbye, it is easy to see the challenges. However, cremation memorial services can be comforting for you and the rest of your family so they are imperative aspects of death. With 42 percent of the deceased cremated in 2011 alone, you may be considering this option for your own family member. Unfortunately, a large portion of individuals feel they would prefer a more natural approach in their final wishes. Using this guide, your loved one's cremated remains can become one with the earth, even after their death.
How Does Your Garden Grow?
While surprising to hear, your loved one's cremated remains can become a permanent part of your home's landscape or garden. Although the ashes are not able to grow sufficiently on their own, crematoriums are able to mix them with seeds and plant nutrients.
After choosing the type of plant you prefer for your garden or landscape, the crematorium will combine your chosen seeds with plant nutrients and your loved one's ashes. Once the memorial kit is complete, you can bring home and plant in a flowerbed, garden, or a decorative pot to keep indoors. As your plant grows, you will have a lasting celebration of your loved one.
Going Green Six Feet Under
Green cemeteries are becoming popular options for individuals who want to protect the environment and save on funeral costs. While these cemeteries prohibit the use of traditional caskets, vaults, and embalming fluids for body preservation, many offer areas for the scattering of cremated remains. In addition, a few of these eco-friendly cemeteries allow you to bury the cremated remains if preferred. You can choose to have your loved one's ashes placed directly into the ground or in a biodegradable urn before burial.
With natural scenery and beautiful trails, your loved one can rest in a peaceful sanctuary that does not offer any resemblance of a traditional cemetery.
Heading Out to Sea
If your loved one had a passion for sailing, fishing, surfing, or anything involving the ocean, scattering their ashes in the sea is a great concept. Unfortunately, you may worry about the legalities involved in this natural burial method.
According to the EPA, placing cremated remains into the ocean is legal when the burial takes place at least 3 nautical miles from land. If you are considering scattering your loved one's cremated remains in the ocean, be sure to notify the EPA 30 days before the event.
Conserving significant parts of sea life is important for many people. If your loved one felt strongly about the deterioration of coral reefs, consider using their remains to help with conservation. By interning the cremated remains into a specialized concrete structure placed on the ocean floor, coral will have the necessary structure to attach itself. This will help increase the strength of the coral and stimulate growth across the ocean.
Space. The Final Frontier
Fans of science fiction understand the importance of space and may prefer to become part of the final frontier after their death. Companies are now offering final, no-return flights that allow you to launch a loved one's cremated ashes into space. Numerous flights are available including a quick trip into space and back to Earth or a long journey to the moon.
Of course, traveling to space is expensive for the living and the dead, so the cost may be shocking. However, if your loved one had a passion for the final frontier, the space flight is a great investment.
Death does not have to be the end of your loved one's beliefs. To ensure they become one with nature, allow their cremated remains to rest with one of these unique ideas.
Share5 February 2015
