Here are some of the cremation products and services on display at the expo for the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), recently held in Austin, Texas. These YouTube videos highlight several exhibitors with unique offerings.
Cremation Turtle Urn
Here’s a new biodegradable cremation urn in the shape of a turtle offers a graceful water disposition ceremony. Darren Crouch, president of Passages International, describes how this handmade work of art can be used. Passages also offers a wide range of biodegradable cremation urns for earth and water dispositions. More information at www.PassagesInternational.com or www.AGreenerFuneral.org.
Wooden Urns Handcrafted from Reclaimed Logs
Hought Wahl makes wooden urns from logs fallen by hurricanes, development, tornadoes and other causes. He cuts them to obtain the most interesting and unique grain and color. His sister hand-paints flowers, butterflies and other designs on selected urns. His website is www.wahl-turned-wood.com
Hair and Cremated Remains Pendants and Rings
Nicholas Cranham with Sentimental Connections Ltd talks about his patented process to encapsulate cremated remains and locks of hair in a polymer for jewelry. Before this process, hair could not be encased in glass, because the heat causes hair to burn.
The cremated remains can be made quite colorful by a dye in the resin. The hair can come from pets or people.
Sentimental Connections is based in Nottingham, U.K. The pendants, rings and other castings are being manufactured in the U.S. by Passages International in Albuquerque, NM.
Special Free Placement for the Cremated Remains of U.S. Veterans
The Avenue of 444 Flags offers free ossuary placement for the cremated remains of U.S. veterans. In this video, Tom Flynn, President of the Avenue of 444 Flags Foundation, talks about how the cremated remains of veterans are grouped by branch of service and by the war they fought.
The Circle of Flags and War on Terror Memorial are located at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Hermitage Pennsylvania. This is a free service to honor U.S. veterans and give their remains a final resting place. More information is available at www.AvenueofFlags.com.
