Category Archives: Soulful Expressions

Design for Death: “I Wish to Be Rain” by Studio PSK

A design for a micro airship could transform humans into rain after they die

A recent Designboom competition titled “Design for Death” highlighted many innovative end-of-life creations, from a biodegradable coffin to a postmortem suit that encourages mushroom growth. Amongst the prize winners of the “Design for Death” competition was the London based Studio … Continue reading

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The Sculpture “Angel of Grief”

The impact of William Wetmore Story's work on modern funeral symbolism

In cemeteries across the world, “Angel of Grief” is a recurring, statuary subject based upon a prototype by William Wetmore Story from 1894. Donning classical Roman costume, the angel is portrayed slumping over a headstone as a lugubrious testament to … Continue reading

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Poetree: The Innovative Urn

Margaux Ruyant's urn honors the life of the deceased while cultivating the new life of a tree

The “eco-funeral” or “green burial” has been a rising trend in the past few years. And Poetree, the latest invention by the French industrial designer Margaux Ruyant, is a welcome addition to the many planet-conscious end-of-life options we’ve covered here … Continue reading

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Crazy Coffins: An Innovative Approach to End-Of-Life Receptacles

A British coffin company exhibits their unique creations

In the Western hemisphere, the funereal aesthetic is somber, heavy — even a bit austere. Death is often a taboo subject, where people are loath to discuss end-of-life arrangements prior to the fact. Levity and celebration are not considered a … Continue reading

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The Neptune Society Memorial Reef

An Underwater Cremation Site for the Environmentally Conscious

The Neptune Memorial Reef is a culmination of two intersecting trends in America’s funeral industry: the increasing statistic of cremation in America, as well as a growing interest in environmentally conscious burials. Located several miles from the Key Biscayne in … Continue reading

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The Historical Widow’s Walk, Where A Wife Waited for Her Husband’s Safe Return From Sea

The sentimental mythology of America’s coastal architecture

Any trip through Cape Cod, Nantucket and other local coastal towns is a tour through the 19th century cultural landscape of New England — an architectural intersection between its British inheritance and the stylistic dictates of a New World.  Widow’s … Continue reading

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