Author Archives: Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Our Monthly Tip: Make a Wildflower Casket Spray

Wildflowers offer an eco-friendly opportunity to decorate a loved one’s casket or grave
Posted on April 21, 2021 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Our Tip of the Month What better way to honor an environmentally conscious loved one than with a wildflower casket spray? Gathering local wildflowers and arranging them to create a memorial is an ideal compliment to the rising popularity of … Continue reading →

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“Starfish,” written and directed by Bill Clark

A family grapples with the demands of caregiving and the fallout of serious illness
Posted on April 9, 2021 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

The 2016 film “Starfish,” written and directed by Bill Clark, is a heartbreaking look at the impact of serious illness on one small family in the East Midlands of England. Based on the true story of Tom Ray and his … Continue reading →

Posted in Lending Insight | Leave a comment

Graveyards Are Sanctuaries of Biodiversity

Studies show that cemeteries around the world are home to a diverse array of plant and animal species
Posted on April 7, 2021 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Graveyards have long provided a place to keep, honor and mourn the dead. Yet they also serve a secondary purpose: supporting biodiversity. A recent study of 199 graveyards in the agricultural landscape of northern China, published in the journal Nature, … Continue reading →

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“Lanterns of the Dead” Once Marked Cemeteries in France

Centuries ago, small stone towers with lamps watched over loved ones’ graves
Posted on March 28, 2021 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Imagine gazing out into the distance, toward where your loved one is buried, to see a comforting light winking from a stone tower. This was once the experience of those who lived with “Lanterns of the Dead” (or “Lanternes de … Continue reading →

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“Parting Stone” Turns Loved Ones’ Ashes Into Rocks

One company offers smooth, palm-sized stones as a unique alternative to ashes
Posted on March 20, 2021 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

More Americans are choosing cremation over traditional burial — and many are finding unique methods to dispose of the ashes. Some hope to have them painted or printed onto canvas; pressed into a vinyl record; or one day, even sent … Continue reading →

Posted in Something Special | 2 Comments

Experience of Old Age May Be Driven by Beliefs

Researchers say that how we think about old age predicts how we become
Posted on March 8, 2021 by Rachel Jones (Blog Writer, SevenPonds)

Most people want to be healthy, engaged and vibrant in old age — but many factors can prevent them from realizing this aim. Yet researchers say there is one influence people may have some control over: their beliefs. A recent … Continue reading →

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