Tag Archives: Cremation

Wolfgang Natlacen Brings Fun Whimsy to Funerals with Urns That Double as Toys

The artist's egg-shaped urns transform the way we mourn loved ones

Walk into most funeral parlors in the United States, and you’ll see rows of somber, muted urns resting on the display shelves. For centuries, Western culture has thought of funerals and funeral accessories as dignified and utterly sanitized. Any attempts at … Continue reading

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What is an Undertaker? An Interview with Patrick McNally

A funeral director gives his unique perspective on end-of-life rituals

Today, SevenPonds is speaking with Patrick McNally, the outspoken and creative  funeral director behind the blog The Daily Undertaker, which explores ritual and art surrounding death and dying. In this first installment of our interview, Patrick reveals his honest insight into the funeral … Continue reading

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Death at a Funeral: The Now-Extinct Indian Custom of Sati

Indian widows threw themselves into their husband's pyres during this outlawed tradition

It’s not uncommon to find strict cultural rules that tell women exactly how to behave after a husband’s death. In some societies, women are expected to wear all black, cover the mirrors in their homes or even stay indoors for … Continue reading

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A Look at Japanese Funeral Practices

Cultural traditions in a country with a cremation rate of almost 100 percent

Japan has the highest cremation rate in the world at over 99 percent, with some local governments even banning burials. Cremation was reserved for the rich until after World War II.  However, once the cleanliness and efficiency of the practice … Continue reading

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A Clash Between Science and Culture

How western medicine came to grips with centuries-old burial traditions in West Africa

When the Ebola epidemic ravaged West Africa in 2014 through 2015, much of the Western world was focused on one thing – containing the disease. But in the villages of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, where the virus claimed over … Continue reading

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What Happens When You Die Alone in New York?

Investigators unravel the mystery of George Bell's life

You might be surprised to hear that dying alone isn’t an entirely uncommon event in New York City. Its dense population attracts socialites as much as it does those who want to be left alone in complete anonymity, becoming just … Continue reading

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