Tag Archives: Cultural Perspectives

Taking a Look at the Traditional Irish Wake

How the beginnings of one tradition led to another

Many might be surprised to learn that evidence exists linking the traditional Irish wake, rooted in Catholic practices, to an ancient Jewish tradition, in which mourners left the burial chamber of a recently departed loved one open for three days … Continue reading

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An Ancient Practice: Aboriginal Burial Ceremonies

Taking a look at the first environmentally friendly funeral

The Aborigines of Australia might represent the oldest living culture in the world.  Aboriginal culture is most commonly known for its unique artistic technique evolving from the red ochre pigment cave paintings that started cropping up 60,000 years ago, but … Continue reading

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A Voice That Will Remain in Our Hearts Forever

Etta James Passes at the Age of 73

Legendary blues and R&B singer Etta James passed away this morning at a Riverside, CA hospital due to complications from leukemia. After a long and celebrated career, in which she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won … Continue reading

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The St. James Infirmary Blues by Louis Armstrong

An Old Folk Song that Continues to Strike a Chord

In the old folk songs from the early 20th and late 19th Centuries, passed down through families and generations into the very soul of our culture, death is a common theme. This should not be surprising. These were harder times … Continue reading

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SevenPonds Looks Back

Who Are Some of the Notable People That Died in 2011, and What Has Their Death Meant to Us

The New Year, of course, offers perhaps the most ideal time to reflect on our changes, accomplishments, and lessons learned over the past year. Many of us may feel compelled to compare the person we are today to the person … Continue reading

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It’s A Wonderful Life by Frank Capra

Sometimes It Takes Perspective to See the Beauty of Life

Sometimes life can be a hard slog, full of struggles and losses and triumphs and fleeting periods of happiness. Meaning is elusive, and sometimes our impact on others can seem as negative as it is positive. And, of course, our … Continue reading

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