WELCOME TO OUR BLOG
Welcome to the SevenPonds.com blog – a community-driven extension of SevenPonds.com! I hope you find comfort and community in the resources and stories featured here. I’m always happy to hear from readers and can be reached at suzette@sevenponds.com.
FEATURED
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Final Messages of the Dying: Finding meaning in metaphors and symbolic language -
Will I Die in Pain?: For patients living with a terminal illness, the fear of pain is very real -
When A Child Has A Terminal Illness: Reflections on a short, full life, part two
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Categories
Tag Archives: Funeral
Annang Funeral Tradition as Rite of Passage
The Annang people of Nigeria understand "good death" as transition to status of ancestor
The Annang people of Southeastern Nigeria consider death to be natural only when someone dies of old age, according to Dominic Umoh, Ph.D., a lecturer at the University of Agriculture in Makurd, Nigeria. If someone dies young from disease or … Continue reading
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
”The Work of the Dead” by Thomas W. Laqueur
Thomas Laqueur's epic historical survey reveals insight into how and why we care for the dead
Significant amounts of research have been invested in understanding the grieving rituals of the animal kingdom, but literature examining the role that the human corpse plays in how culture is created and sustained over time has been relatively sparse. That … Continue reading
Our Weekly Tip: Use Chinese Sky Lanterns to Memorialize a Loved One
Release miniature hot air balloons to symbolize the release of your loved one's spirit
Our Tip of the Week: The concept of a person’s spirit ascending towards the heavens at the time of death is a common theme in many cultures and religions. It is also a comforting thought for those left behind — … Continue reading
Our Weekly Tip: Include Ancient Ancestral Practices in Funeral or Memorial Services
Ancestral practices tie the living to the dead across time and place
Our Tip of the Week: In this age of secular dying and grieving, many people struggle to find meaningful ways of memorializing their loved ones that don’t lean on a superficial spirituality or empty platitudes. If this resonates with you, … Continue reading
Adam Ruins Everything: How Funerals Completely Rip Us Off
Witty overview of modern funeral industry carries sobering message
“Adam Ruins Everything” videos are really catchy: fast-paced, clear, fact-checked, funny and enlightening. In the video “How Funerals Completely Rip Us Off,” our guide Adam takes us on a tour through the history of embalming and the funeral industry, illuminating … Continue reading
