Author Archives: Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

Our Monthly Tip: Bring Love Into Your Celebration of Life With a Valentine-Inspired Theme

Use symbols of love to create the perfect celebration that honors your loved one
Posted on February 8, 2026 by Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

Our Monthly Tip: For many people, February is closely associated with Valentine’s Day, a holiday devoted to love. Love takes many forms, changing and adapting over the course of our lives – and beyond life itself. You can incorporate Valentine’s … Continue reading →

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Plane-Based Ash Scattering Takes Off with ‘Cremation Air’

Innovation in funeral services responds to soaring cremation rates with branded air scattering
Posted on January 27, 2026 by Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

Traditional funeral practices are evolving, particularly in recent years, as the culture surrounding death and memorialization has undergone significant shifts. One of the latest developments in the world of funeral and end-of-life care is the popularity of cremation over burial … Continue reading →

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“Love Letter from the Afterlife” by Andrea Gibson

The late poet pens an emotional letter from the perspective of a loved one who has died
Posted on January 24, 2026 by Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

My love, I was so wrong. Dying is the opposite of leaving. When I left my body, I did not go away. That portal of light was not a portal to elsewhere, but a portal to here. I am more … Continue reading →

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Memorial Diamonds from Cremated Ashes: Keepsake or Fraud?

Lab-grown diamond companies claim to use the carbon from cremains to create memorial diamonds. Others claim it is impossible to do.
Posted on January 10, 2026 by Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

For families navigating grief and end-of-life preparations, the idea of transforming a loved one’s cremation ashes into a jewel as precious as a diamond can be a source of comfort. Diamonds are valuable, tangible keepsakes that can symbolize connection and … Continue reading →

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Music Review: “Fourth of July” by Sufjan Stevens

A fictional conversation between the songwriter and his dying mother
Posted on December 21, 2025 by Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

Michigan-born songwriter Sufjan Stevens has a reputation for deeply personal, emotionally complex folk music that often deals with family, faith, and, commonly, mortality. “Fourth of July” from the 2015 album Carrie & Lowell is one of the most prominent entries … Continue reading →

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13 Heartfelt Ways to Celebrate the Holidays with a Loved One on Hospice Care

Lightways Director of Grief and Integrative Therapies, Patrice Martin, shares her advice on celebrating the holidays in hospice care in an interview
Posted on December 15, 2025 by Ariana Barnes (Magazine Writer)

The holiday season is a perfect time for remembrance and celebration, but traditions can often look a little different for families with loved ones in hospice care. Patrice Martin has collaborated with Lightways’ grief counselors, music therapists, and child life … Continue reading →

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