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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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Tag Archives: Memorial
Beautiful Memorial Song: “A Candle in The Wind,” By Elton John
A song that deals with the loss of a national celebrity also can be interchanged to deal with the loss of a loved one
Back in 1997, the world watched as Elton John sang and played the piano at the unexpected funeral of the beloved Princess Diana. He had transformed the words in one of his most hauntingly beautiful tunes, “Candle in the Wind”, … Continue reading
Posted in A Right of Passage
Tagged Candle in the Wind, Diana Princess of Wales, Elton John, end-of-life, England, Lyrics, Memorial, Princess Diana
2 Comments
A Blog to Honor Barbara
This journalist created a blog to remember and honor his late wife
Eighty-one days after his wife lost a battle with cancer at 65, Houston journalist Mike Snyder wrote his first reflection on his experience of the loss at sagamorebridge, a blog that exists, the tagline states, for “honoring Barbara”. Barbara Karkabi … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Barbara Karkabi, Blogging, Houston, Late Wife, Memorial, Mike Snyder, Sagamorebridge, Texas
1 Comment
The Newtown, Connecticut Shooting Victims
SevenPonds honors the memory of the Newtown, Connecticut shooting victims
In the aftermath of the carnage at Sandy Hook Elementary, in the idyllic town of Newtown, Connecticut, many will find themselves asking questions. Some will wonder at the motive of the attacker, at the conditions that gave rise to his … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Candlelight Services, Connecticut, Memorial, Newtown, Sandy Hook, Vigils
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Is There Anything as Enchanting as the Meaning of Flowers?
Today an old fashioned nosegay is a new way of offering sympathy flowers
I’ve always had a fascination with the meaning of flowers. Back in the Victorian days each flower had a meaning attached as a form of expressive comunication. Flowers were offered in dainty, informal, often hand-picked arrangements called a tussie-mussie, that … Continue reading
Shelves for Life
This multifunctional furniture design lasts more than a lifetime!
Designer William Warren has mastered the art of multifunctional design with the Shelves for Life, a self-initiated project to further explore ideas of built-in sentimentality in our possessions. The product is designed to encourage strong emotional relationships with our belongings … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Art, Casket, Coffin, Death, Design, Funeral, Furniture, Memorial, Shelves for Life, William Warren
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A Beach Heart for Madeline
A glorious memorial to honor the loss of a loved one
This summer, Bay Area artist Page Hodel brought together family, friends, and fans of her Monday Hearts for Madalene to craft a heart from the most sympathetic medium she could find: humans. Dozens gathered at this beach on the Pacific … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Art, Bay Area, California, Flash mob, Loss, Memorial, Monday Hearts for Madalene, Ovarian Cancer, Pacific Ocean, Pacifica
2 Comments
Nora Ephron Pre-planned Her Own Memorial Service
The tribute to the late writer and director was a poignant example of modern ways to celebrate a life well-lived
Around the world, people are moving away from traditional funeral services in favor of more eclectic and personal remembrance events. The days of somber funerals and wakes are gone. Instead, modern-day memorial services are more often focused on celebrating a … Continue reading
Traditional Iranian Memorial
Information and Details Behind a Traditional Islamic Iranian Memorial Service
A comparison is made between traditional vs. contemporary Iranian memorial services and the details of a traditional Iranian memorial service is discussed. Continue reading
A Memorial You Can See From the Heavens
Rancher in Argentina Designs His Ranch to Fulfill his Late Wife's Dream
If you’re set to fly over General Levalle, Argentina any time soon, keep an eye out for this spectacular design surrounding this family’s ranch. The gigantic guitar made of trees was the dream of Graciela Yraizoz, the matron of the … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Argentina, Art, Death, Design, Family, Loss, Memorial
2 Comments
“If I Die” Facebook App
Facebook App Allows Users to Leave a Message for Loved Ones After Their Death
The “farewell message” has made its way to social networking. A new Facebook app allows users to schedule a message or messages to post to their wall after they have died. After installing the app, a person chooses three Facebook friends … Continue reading
Posted in Something Special
Tagged Death, Facebook, Memorial, Post-mortem, Social Networking, Technology
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Remembering Life through Light
A look at this touching Jewish tradition
Hanukkah came to an end last night, marking the conclusion of eight consecutive nights of lighting candles. This is done in order to commemorate the rededication of the holy temple in Jerusalem. While you’re probably familiar with this Jewish celebration, … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Death, Hanukkah, Judaism, Memorial, Tradition, Yahrzeit Candles
1 Comment
San Francisco’s Vigil for the Homeless Dead
The city honors the lives and deaths of an oft-overlooked population.
For over twenty years, a Vigil for the Homeless Dead has been organized each year during the holiday season across the street from San Francisco’s City Hall. This special celebration is a time for people to gather and honor those … Continue reading
Posted in Something Special
Tagged Christmas and holiday season, Death, Memorial, San Francisco, San Francisco Bay Area, Vigil
4 Comments
Happy Holidays from SevenPonds!
This Christmas, remember your loved ones with a growing memorial
In the spirit of spreading cheer, enjoy the lighter side of SevenPonds: Stars and Clover, the SevenPonds office foster kittens! Keep a smile on your face, and enjoy your friends, family, and loved ones this holiday season. Thank you for … Continue reading
The Island Crematorium – Rocky Island, Ireland
The 200-year-old building offers a unique space for cremation and remembrance.
The Island Crematorium on Rocky Island in Ireland is unique in its fantastic location as well as its modern approach to cremation, memorial, and grieving. The crematorium is designed for religious or non-religious services; it has spiritual as well as … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Cremation, Crematorium, Ireland, Memorial, Rocky Island
2 Comments
Farewell Chapel at Teharje, Slovenia
The modern design invites us to look forward, not back.
When asked to design a Farewell Chapel in Teharje, Slovenia, Ljubljana-based firm Architektura Krušec created a structure that looks deliberately un-unified. Its roof appears to float above the structure, disconnected, and its local-sandstone walls are varying heights throughout the space. … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Cemetery, Funeral Chapel, Ljubljana, Memorial, Slovenia, Teharje
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Unlocking the Meaning of Dia de los Muertos
Dispelling myths about this holiday
Many – I would venture to say most – Americans have heard of the Mexican holiday of Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. But, many of us are still unsure of just what it means, and cultural … Continue reading
Posted in Cultural Perspectives
Tagged Celebration, Day of Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, Holidays, Memorial, Mexico
1 Comment
How to Make Your Own Sugar Skull
Celebrate Dia de Los Muertos with this delicious tradition!
One of the most popular traditions of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is the Mexican sugar skull, one that dates back to the 17th century. These brightly-colored candy sculptures are loved by children and adults alike, and … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged Art, Celebration of Life, Day of Dead, Dia de Los Muertos, Memorial, Remembrance, Sugar Skulls
1 Comment
A Night for All Souls
The Vancouver event reminds us of the importance of remembrance and memorials
Coinciding with traditional cultural events like Day of the Dead, the 7th annual A Night for All Souls at Vancouver’s Mountain View Cemetery brings together artists and community to create a family-oriented event for remembrance and reflection. The event allows … Continue reading
Posted in Soulful Expressions
Tagged A Night for All Souls, Arts, Death, Events, Memorial, Mountain View Cemetery, Vancouver
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Yosemite Camp 4, Ground Zero and Metaphors of the Dying Process
A Photo Essay of my Recent Vacation Travels
My vacation begins with an early morning stealth slide-in to Camp 4 located in Yosemite National Park. Camp 4 is the renowned location where rock climbers have camped in proximity to El Capitan since the mid 40’s and is now … Continue reading
Gandhi, An Unparalleled Man Representing Non-Violence
We Honor Him By Visiting His Memorial, Raj Ghat and Devoting A Week to India
This coming Sunday Oct 2nd marks the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and a national holiday in his honor – International Day of Non-Violence. We are devoting this week leading up to the international holiday to Gandhi, his homeland, India, … Continue reading