Author Archives: Antal Polony (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Our Beautiful Funeral Music: a 60s-era Rock & Roll Classic

Surf rock duo Jan and Dean combine the time periods car culture, and a transformative death experience

This classic ’60s rock & roll single by surf music pioneers Jan and Dean recalls not only the Beach Boys, but the bygone era of American Graffiti muscle cars, and even the tragic, so-called “disaster songs” from this time period, … Continue reading

Posted in A Rite of Passage | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

What is Mediation? An Interview with Jason S. Buckingham

A legal veteran of estate planning and mediation tells us about conflict resolution and the importance of empowering discussion

Jason S. Buckingham is an attorney based in Benicia, California, who has worked with end-of-life legal issues for many years. One of his specialties includes mediation, where a legal professional helps to guide families who are experiencing an end-of-life through … Continue reading

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

“Dubliners,” by James Joyce

In this book of thematically linked short stories, James Joyce paints a picture of a city and nation in paralysis, with a vital interpretation of the significance of death

James Joyce is not necessarily an author for everyone. His works are not for your average paperback reader. Ulysses and Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man endure as two of the most significant works in 20th Century literature, … Continue reading

Posted in Lending Insight | Leave a comment

Life, Death and Burial in Colonial America

Colonial American Puritan burial customs, born of times of intense tribulation, continue to inform burial practice today

As people across the country cook and eat and drink, share laughter and arguments and stories for Thanksgiving, what this writer has always considered our most refreshing and simple national holiday, perhaps we might do well to remember the tradition’s … Continue reading

Posted in Cultural Perspectives | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Our Beautiful Funeral Music: “Shine On (There’s Another Day After Tomorrow)”, by Soundtrack of Our Lives

An original, hopeful look on recovery from grief

For another entry in our series on beautiful funeral music and songs on death, here, Swedish rock band The Soundtrack of Our Lives here performs “Shine On (There’s Another Day After Tomorrow)”, a rousing, hopeful song on death that urges … Continue reading

Posted in A Rite of Passage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

How to Scatter Cremation Ashes at Sea — An Interview with Dave Gallegioni

The owner of a popular San Francisco ash scattering at sea service discusses his business

Dave Gallegioni is the Captain of the Dolce Vita 3, and the owner of the San Francisco based, family-owned and operated SF Bay Boat Memorials, which charters out to families and individuals who want to scatter their loved ones ashes … Continue reading

Posted in Professional Advice | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments