Author Archives: Antal Polony (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

What is a columbarium? An Interview with Emmitt Watson

How the San Francisco Columbarium captures life and death through the cremation urn niche

Emmitt Watson has been the caretaker of the Neptune Society’s San Francisco Columbarium for over 25 years, and has gathered the stories to match the years. He has seen this unique and historic landmark through a dramatic renovation, from a … Continue reading

Posted in Professional Advice | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Coachella Honoring the Dead

Coachella Announces "Hologram Lineup" Featuring Only Dead Musicians

The music festival, Coachella honors our dead in quite the interesting and creative way. Continue reading

Posted in Something Special | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Glimpse into Contemporary Iranian Passing

Remembrance events in modern Iranian culture

As an Iranian-American, I spent the first five years of my life in Tehran before moving permanently to the US. I have experienced both the traditional Islamic Iranian funeral in Iran and the contemporary ceremony in America. Despite the fact … Continue reading

Posted in Cultural Perspectives | Tagged , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

“All for Now,” by Joseph Di Prisco

A Novel About Life After Death, More or Less

    Brother Stephen dies suddenly. That’s when matters get more complicated. During a meeting of school administrators, Brother Stephen, the main character of Joseph di Prisco’s novel, All for Now, monk at a Catholic Seminary and a teacher in the … Continue reading

Posted in Lending Insight | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Voice That Will Remain in Our Hearts Forever

Etta James Passes at the Age of 73

Legendary blues and R&B singer Etta James passed away this morning at a Riverside, CA hospital due to complications from leukemia. After a long and celebrated career, in which she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won … Continue reading

Posted in Just Passed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

The St. James Infirmary Blues by Louis Armstrong

An Old Folk Song that Continues to Strike a Chord

In the old folk songs from the early 20th and late 19th Centuries, passed down through families and generations into the very soul of our culture, death is a common theme. This should not be surprising. These were harder times … Continue reading

Posted in Lending Insight | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments