How Space Supports Grief Processing (part 4 of 6)
According to color psychology, different hues evoke different emotional responses. Soft greens, blues, and yellows, for example, have been shown to create a calming effect, reduce stress, and promote emotional healing (Elliot & Maier, 2014). While different hues of colors create different feelings from different audiences, often influenced by context and culture, one can often come to agreement with others about shared interpretations of colors
Understanding Convenience Euthanasia: A Delicate Topic in Pet Care
Before we begin…
This is an extremely difficult subject to explore and reducing it to a binary of good/bad is not helpful. The intention, here, is to open an exploration of perspectives. Around 66% of US households identify as having a pet - that’s about 87 million American families (Insurance Information Institute, 2023), and all of those families have adopted or purchased a pet for their own reasons. At some point, almost all of those families will need to say “goodbye” to their animal. This is not coming from a place of judgement.
Winter’s Chill: How Colder Weather Unveils Discomfort in Aging Pets
As temperatures plummet, the impact of cold weather on pets, especially aging or ailing ones, becomes increasingly evident. Cold can exacerbate existing conditions, revealing discomfort that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. This seasonal shift prompts many pet owners to take a closer look at their animals’ health, often resulting in significant decisions about their care.
Why Do Euthanasia Requests Spike in Veterinary Clinics During the Holidays?
Veterinary clinics often report an increase in euthanasia requests during November and December. While scientific studies on this trend are limited, several factors are widely believed to contribute to this seasonal pattern…
Choosing the Right Urn: Material, Style, and Personalization
When selecting an urn, the material is one of the most important factors to consider. Traditional urns are often made from materials like wood, metal, or ceramic, but for those concerned about the environment, there are greener options available. Biodegradable urns, made from sustainable materials like bamboo, recycled paper, or salt, are designed to break down naturally over time, reducing their environmental footprint (Funeral Consumer Alliance, 2018). These eco-friendly urns are ideal for water burials or natural burial sites, as they return the remains to the earth without harming the ecosystem.
A Brief History of Urns: From Ancient Traditions to Modern Memorials
One of the earliest known uses of urns dates back to the Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE), where archaeological findings reveal that people from ancient China, Greece, and Rome used urns to hold cremated remains. In ancient Greece, urns, or lekythos, were used in funeral rites and often adorned with depictions of mourning scenes or mythological stories
Environmental and Health Concerns of Modern U.S. Burial Practices
Modern U.S. burial practices, though steeped in cultural and religious traditions, carry a significant environmental burden. Traditional in-ground burials often involve embalming, the use of non-biodegradable caskets, and the allocation of vast tracts of land for cemeteries, all of which raise serious environmental concerns. Embalming fluid, which commonly contains formaldehyde, presents a particularly troubling issue. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and its seepage into the soil from buried bodies can contaminate groundwater, posing long-term public health risks.