WELCOME TO OUR BLOG
Welcome to the SevenPonds.com blog – a community-driven extension of SevenPonds.com! I hope you find comfort and community in the resources and stories featured here. I’m always happy to hear from readers and can be reached at suzette@sevenponds.com.
FEATURED
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10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know" />
10 Facts About Hospice Care You May Not Know: NHPCO stresses that hospice is about living fully, not preparing for death. -
Man of Many Faces" />
Man of Many Faces: A niece says goodbye to her favorite gay uncle, in whom she confided about her own sexuality -
Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off" />
Last Rites: A Catholic Send-Off: A look at the religion's final prayer procession for the dying
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Author Archives: Aurora Wells (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)
How to Cope with a Terminal Illness? – An Interview with Michael Engelberg
A longtime oncologist shares his thoughts on coping with a terminal condition and dying a "good death"
Doctor Michael Engelberg is an oncologist of 40 years, based at Cedars-Sinai medical center in Los Angeles, California. Aurora: Let’s say I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, or another terminal illness. What should my first steps be? Dr. Engelberg: I … Continue reading
An Interview with Jerrigrace Lyons: Part Two
One of the first home funeral consultants shares her wisdom
Jerrigrace Lyons is a family funeral guide and educator—one of the original pioneers of the home funeral movement. She is a founding member of the Home Funeral Alliance, and the founder and director of Final Passages, through which she both guides families … Continue reading
“Every blade in the field, every leaf in the forest, lays down its life in its season, as beautifully as it was taken up.”
-Henry David Thoreau
An Interview with Jerrigrace Lyons: Part One
One of the first home funeral consultants shares her wisdom
Jerrigrace Lyons is a family funeral guide and educator—one of the original pioneers of the home funeral movement. She is a founding member of the Home Funeral Alliance, and the founder and director of Final Passages, through which she both guides families … Continue reading
When I’m Dead And Gone
- McGuinness Flint
When I’m Dead And Gone – Lyrics By Graham Lyle & Benny Gallagher Ooh I love you baby, I love you night and day When I leave you baby, don’t cry the night away When I die, don’t you write … Continue reading
An Interview with Jerrigrace Lyons: The Introduction
One of the first home funeral consultants shares her wisdom
Jerrigrace Lyons is a family funeral guide and educator—one of the original pioneers of the home funeral movement. She is a founding member of the Home Funeral Alliance, and the founder and director of Final Passages, through which she both … Continue reading
The Unknown Shore
by Elizabeth Clark Hardy
Sometime at Eve when the tide is low I shall slip my moorings and sail away With no response to a friendly hail In the silent hush of the twilight pale When the night stoops down to embrace the day … Continue reading
An Interview with Annie Leigh
SevenPonds chats with a talented "eco-urn" maker
Annie‘s diverse artistic background and spirituality ultimately lead her to create Eco-Urns, her UK based biodegradable urn business. Today, Annie creates thoughtful, unique and sustainable urns ranging from simple ceramic to highly personalized designs. Read her responses to all our … Continue reading
What is Green Burial? An Interview with Sam Mulgrew
SevenPonds talks to a monastic casket company
Trappist Caskets is a unique business, producing simple, elegant, ecologically minded caskets from company headquarters in Peosta, Iowa — which happens to be New Melleray Abbey, home of Catholic monks known as Cistercians. Below, manager Sam Mulgrew discusses the roles … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Caskets and Coffins, Religion, Spirituality and Belief, Sustainability, Trappist Caskets
1 Comment
Farewell Vessels
My husband’s mysterious death and the beautiful ways we chose to heal
This is the story of Stacy, as told by Aurora Wells… I was at the Toronto Airport customs checkpoint, propping my two-year-old Ivy in the crook of one arm, and filling out paperwork with the other. My heart stopped at … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Cremation, Cremation Ashes, Lake Huron, Unexpected Loss, Unknown Cause of Death, Urn
2 Comments
“Some are bound to die young. By dying young a person stays young in people’s memory. If he burns brightly before he dies, his brightness shines for all time.”
- Unknown
In loving dedication to Jonathan Harwood, whose fire burns on…
An Interview with Joe Sehee: Part Two
The Green Burial Council founder talks standards, sustainability, and the future
Joe Sehee comes from a background of social justice as a Jesuit minister while his wife, Juliette Sehee, worked as an advocate for the environment. About a decade ago, they decided to open a retreat for the grieving, to inspire … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Cremation, Eco-Friendly, Funeral home, Green Burial, Green Burial Council, Joe Sehee, Natural burial, Sustainability, Sustainable, The GBC
1 Comment
A Quote by David Harkins -
“You can shed tears that she is gone, or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back, or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left. Your heart … Continue reading
What is Green Burial? An Interview with Joe Sehee: Part One
The Green Burial Council founder talks standards, sustainability, and the future
Joe Sehee comes from a background of social justice as a Jesuit minister while his wife, Juliette Sehee, worked as an advocate for the environment. About a decade ago, they decided to open a retreat for the grieving, to inspire … Continue reading
A Portrait Lost and Found
How posing for nude photographs brought me solace
This is the story of Kate, as told by Aurora Wells… My grandparents moved to Chicago in the 40’s, but never lost their accents. My dad said my grandma hoarded things because they had lead such difficult lives back in … Continue reading
Posted in Opening our Hearts
Tagged Cancer, Cultural Perspectives, Grieving, Parenting and Family Issues
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From “Song of Myself”
- by Walt Whitman
The spotted hawk swoops by and accuses me, he complains of my gab and my loitering. I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yaws over the roofs of the world. The last … Continue reading
What is End-of-Life Planning? An Interview with Sally Shannon
No Time Like the Present: Get your Affairs in Order Today!
Dedicated to helping people prepare for end of life, Sally Shannon is an uplifting life coach, organizer, and home funeral guide. She is a member of the San Francisco Home Funerals Alliance, with a focus on preplanning. Aurora: What does … Continue reading
What is Happiness? An Interview with Dr. Laura Delizonna
"Happiness coach" Dr. Laura talks about optimism, bucket lists, and your "hero story"
Dr. Laura Delizonna is a clinical psychiatrist, professor at Stanford University, and happiness coach. Her project, Choosing Happiness, “was created to help people manifest their dreams and attain sustainable happiness.” Below, Dr. Laura shares her secrets to achieving happiness in the face of … Continue reading
Posted in Professional Advice
Tagged Bucket List, Happiness, Hero Story, Hospice, Psychology
1 Comment