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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Buddhism and the Eastern Middle Ground: In Buddhist tradition, our death falls into a plane of existence that continues even after our final breath -
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
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Author Archives: Katie Ryan (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)
What are Death Cafes? An Interview with Jon Underwood, Part I
Creating a safe environment for people to talk about death and dying
Today we talk with Jon Underwood, the founder of Death Cafe. Based on the sociology studies of the Swiss Bernard Crettaz, the goal of Death Cafe is to create a safe environment where people can engage in conversation about death … Continue reading
“Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole
The popular funeral song that’s tried and true for a reason
Creating a playlist for a loved one’s funeral can be a difficult task. What kind of message are you looking for in a funeral song? What’s the right tone to set? What kind of emotions will the songs bring about? … Continue reading
Accepting Death While Living Life
Mark Nepo lends some insight about accepting our ultimate fate in The Book of Awakening
I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that, here at SevenPonds, we’ve talked several times before about accepting our deaths and embracing the unknown. We know there are benefits to accepting death: making the end-of-life experience more peaceful, helping us move … Continue reading
What is Grief Support for Neonatal Death? An Interview with Ellen Daley
A place where parents can find support after losing a child
Ellen Kelly Daley is the president of the board of directors at HAND, a resource network of parents, professionals, and volunteers who provide support for those who have lost a baby before, during, or after birth. She is a professional … Continue reading
Filipino Funeral Customs
Paying homage to the dead in the Philippines
A mix of Christian values and indigenous beliefs, Filipino funeral customs represent a unique blend of ancient and contemporary traditions. In times both past and present, Filipino culture has valued a specific set of funeral customs to ensure peaceful transitions … Continue reading
“I can say without speculation that it is possible to approach our deaths without the degree of emotional suffering that we’ve come to accept as a given in our culture.”
--Ram Dass
Posted in A Right of Passage
Tagged Accepting Death, Death and Dying, Death Quote, Ram Dass, Reduce Suffering, Spirituality
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“Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyd
A heartfelt funeral song about love and remembrance
Pink Floyd, one of the greatest rock bands of all time, isn’t just known for their classic melodies and stage presence. Most of their lyrics, when given a thoughtful listen or read, tap into our most human emotions. “Wish You … Continue reading
Posted in A Right of Passage
Tagged Arts, British Rock, Classic Rock, Death, Dying, Funeral Music, Funeral Song, Grieving, Heartfelt Funeral Song, Heaven, Hell, Loved One, Lyrics, Memorial Service, Music, Pink Floyd, Remembrance, Roger Waters, Song, Wish You Were Here
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“Death is a Dialogue” by Emily Dickinson
A dialogue between death and spirituality in an Emily Dickinson poem offers an interesting perspective
Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest American poets of all time, is no lightweight when it comes to exploring death. In her poem “Death is a Dialogue,” Dickinson touches on a few contrasting ideas that portray death as a complex … Continue reading
Posted in The Next Chapter
Tagged Afterlife, Death, Death is a Dialogue, Death Poem, Diction, Emily Dickinson, Healing, Metaphor, Mystical, Poetry, Religion and Spirituality, Spirituality, Symbolism, Trust
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Book Review: “Closer Than You Think” by Deborah Heneghan Discusses After-Death Communication
Revealing true stories and techniques for connecting with loved ones on the other side
Have you ever wondered if there was a way to connect with a loved one who passed away? Better yet, have you ever experienced communication with a deceased loved one? If so, then you’re not alone. In Closer Than You … Continue reading
Posted in Lending Insight
Tagged After Death Communication, After Death Communication Signs, Angel, Connecting with Loved Ones on the Other Side, Death, Deborah Heneghan, Faith, Grief, Grief Loss and Bereavement, Grief support, Grieving, Grieving Your Own Way, Health, Kübler-Ross model, Loved One, Mental health, Natalie, Spirituality
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Wiccan Funeral Customs
From going green to reincarnation -- what to expect at a Wiccan funeral
While common stereotypes link Wiccan beliefs to magic potions and fairy dust, there are some surprising elements to be found in Wiccan culture – if you do a little research. One of those elements is the Wiccan funeral, which emphasizes … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Cultural Perspectives, Earth, Elements, Environmental Burial, Environmentalism, Green Burial, Life and Death Cycle, Natural burial, Pagan, Pentagram, Priest, Priestess, Reincarnatin, Reincarnation, Religious Ceremonies, Soul, Spirit, Sprituality, Summerlands, Wicca, Wiccan Funeral, Witch
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“Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.”
--Socrates
Posted in A Right of Passage
Tagged A Right of Passage, Death and Dying, Death is a Blessing, Death Quote, Greek, Socrates, Words of Wisdom
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“Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” by Green Day
An upbeat song that reflects on the memories of lost loved ones
By now, Green Day has marked their place in music history as a favorite among punk rock bands. While the music has evolved over the years, their catchy melodies generally mark them as an upbeat, popular band. That being said, … Continue reading
Walt Whitman’s “Whispers of Heavenly Death”
Exploring the unknowns after death through poetry
Walt Whitman’s poetry has been immortalized by his beautiful, visceral tributes to nature that leave us rethinking our ideas of the world around us. Whitman begins triumphantly in “Whispers of Heavenly Death” as though he wants his readers to picture … Continue reading
Posted in The Next Chapter
Tagged Death, Death Poems, Poetry, Walt Whitman, Whispers of Heavenly Death
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What is Kara Grief Support? An Interview with Jim Mulvaney
How peer counselors use their own experiences to support those in the journey through grief
Jim Mulvaney became a Counselor Supervisor at Kara after initially volunteering as a grief counselor. Since he joined Kara’s staff in the fall of 2004, Jim has held the positions of Director of Adult Services, Director of Programs, and Director … Continue reading
“Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation.”
--Kahlil Gibran
Posted in A Right of Passage
Tagged Death Quotes, Grief, Kahlil Gibran, Right of Passage
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“Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac
The beautiful funeral song that speaks of love, loss and moving on
If you watched the Superbowl or any Budweiser commercials lately, then I’m sure you’ve seen the touching scene where a horse finds his old friend to the sound of “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac. While it’s one thing to find sentimental … Continue reading
Posted in A Right of Passage
Tagged Beautiful Funeral Song, Fleetwood Mac, Grief, Landslide, Right of Passage, Stevie Nicks
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“Another Weeping Woman” by Wallace Stevens
Earnest advice for grieving, moving on and cherishing a loved one’s memory
In “Another Weeping Woman,” by Wallace Stevens, we are given earnest advice to move on and let go. While we at SevenPonds suggest you take your time with the grieving process and give you emotions as much attention as they … Continue reading
Book Review: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The young adult novel that takes on death, love and loss
The Fault in Our Stars is about as YA as it gets — the snarky attitudes, teen love dramas and arguments with parents all scream young adult fiction. The only thing differentiating this book from so many others is its … Continue reading
Bardo: a Sacred Belief in Tibetan Buddhism
That in-between state separating this life and the next
While it’s a commonly known fact that Buddhism adheres to the belief in reincarnation after death, there is much to explore in the grey area between lives. In the Tibetan language, the word “bardo” literally means “intermediate state.” This belief … Continue reading