Blog | Lifesong Funerals - Page 3 of 34 -

The World’s Most Mindblowing Mausolea

Humans have been obsessed with legacy since time immemorial. From cave paintings to planting a flag on the moon, people have always toiled to leave an indelible impression on the world. We fear being forgotten; men and women throughout history have dedicated their lives to completing some amazing feat or completing an impossible task in hopes their names will linger on the lips of the living long after they’ve left this existence. As Hemingway put it, we die two deaths: one when we’re buried and another the last time someone utters our name. If you have an interest in procuring a mausoleum for yourself or your family, please reach out to cremation services Quincy, FL immediately. Their caring professionals have many years of combined experience and wisdom to provide information concerning any of your funerary needs.

Fortunately, there’s an easier way to preserve your family’s name and memory against the weathering of time that doesn’t require daredevil stunts and heroic acts of bravery. Mausolea are found on every continent in the world, throughout cultures from regions across the globe, and their history traces back to the extent of recorded history. A mausoleum, at its most basic definition, is a structure that houses a tomb, though some – like those we’ll visit today – are much, much more than that.

Taj Mahal – Agra, India

Completed in 1643, the Taj Mahal – or “Crown of the Palace” – is a mausoleum constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. A short time later it would come to house his tomb as well. The structure is magnificent; rising from a 40-acre plot, towering spires and minarets of polished, white marble reach several-hundred feet skyward. Accented with gold finials, detailed floral carvings and paintings, and inlaid with precious gemstones, the palace is a wholly unique work of art. The Taj Mahal was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

Mausoleum of Hadrian – Rome, Italy

Now commonly known as the Castel Sant’Angelo, this towering structure, surrounded by the opulent Parco Adriano, was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. Constructed between AD 134 to 139, this castle-like construct was once beautifully adorned with rooftop gardens and ornamented with bronze and stone statuary. Since that time it’s also served as a fortress, papal residence, and prison. Today it functions as a museum, but despite the desecration of the mausoleum and its interred guests, the story of its origin and the name of Hadrian have survived for thousands of years.

Lenin’s Mausoleum – Moscow, Russia

On January 21st, 1924, Soviet leader and Communist godhead Vladimir Lenin departed from this world. Today he’d be 152 years old, though he doesn’t look a day past 54. That’s because since the day he’d died Lenin has been pumped full of embalming preservatives designed to fight off decay and decomposition. Initially, the government didn’t plan to keep ol’ Vlad around quite so long – they were hoping to keep him presentable long enough to display him to the massive crowds of mourners that flocked to the capital to see the former leader. When the crowds didn’t thin for several months and winter temperatures gave way to warmer weather, the government decided it would take more permanent measures to preserve the body. You can still view Lenin’s corpse today in his mausoleum in Moscow’s Red Square, just be sure to schedule your visit to avoid the day every 18 months the body is lowered beneath the mausoleum to a private basement lab where he gets a fluid flush and refill.

History has shown mausolea can stand the test of time. If preserving your family legacy is your primary concern, don’t hesitate to contact funeral homes for information concerning the best option for your funerary concerns.

You can learn more about cremation services Quincy, FL. Talk to us at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in Florida or call one of our locations.

Memento Mori: Two Artistic Themes Devoted to Death

People have long labored to speak through their art, from neolithic cave paintings to Shakespeare, Beethoven, and Picasso, there seems to be an innate, inextinguishable fervor within people to produce creative works to express themselves. Love and loss, passion and peril, comedy and tragedy; these timeless themes have been explored through songs, stories, paintings, and architecture. But among the different facets of the human experience these themes explore, one reigns supreme and influences all others: Death. For help determining the message you want to convey with your passing, contact funeral homes Quincy, FL today. Their proficient staff has the knowledge and expertise to assist you with all your needs.

Death has been embodied in every form of artwork created by mankind and continues to be an endless source of fascination and intrigue. When invoked in art, this is known as memento mori, which translates to “remember that you die.” At its most broad definition, a memento mori is any symbolic or artistic trope that serves to remind one of the inevitability of death, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. Join us to explore two examples and learn how different aspects of death can bring life to beautiful and meaningful works of art.

The Danse Macabre

Also known as “The Dance of Death”, it’s an artistic form of allegory that came from Europe during the Late Middle Ages and can be found in historical poetry, drama, and visual arts media of the era. The main idea behind The Danse Macabre was to personify death as an inevitable, impartial force that unites all people, despite rank, station, or corporeal blessings. Its purpose was to remind individuals of the fleeting nature of earthly power and possessions in order to keep them focused on living a life that would allow them to reap the greatest rewards in heaven. The Dance was usually depicted with some personification of death, such as a reaper figure or animated skeletal remains, leading a procession of humans to the grave. The humans were often arranged by their perceived societal rank, position, or moral standing; for example, pope, emperor, child, clerk, laborer, and indigent. One of the most well-known examples of Danse Macabre in art history is the woodcut prints of Hans Holbein the Younger from the 16th century, which display thirty-four scenes of death breaking in on people of all ages and stations in life to carry them off to the underworld.

Vanitas

Translated as “emptiness” or “worthlessness”, vanitas is a form of memento mori that juxtaposes imagery of wealth and worldly, corporeal pleasures with those representing death, largely through the medium of sculpture and still life paintings. An ornate golden chalice placed next to a human skull, a pile of rare jewels next to a bowl of rotting fruit, any imagery or symbolism comparing material opulence with the transitory nature of life and the permanence of death. Other popular motifs include smoke, hourglasses, and musical instruments. Vanitas artworks have traced back as far as the 16th century and continue to be a popular theme with artists of all mediums today.

Death is an inevitability all people must meet one day. Its unknowable terminus has been a source of speculation, mythology, and wonder since our inception. True to human nature, we’ve invented ideas and methods of using death to highlight the beauty and brevity of human life. Hopefully, this brief visit through these artistic themes helped illustrate some of the creative ways people have brought beauty out of death.

Creating works of art aren’t the only option one has to create an impactful, meaningful statement concerning life and death. Contact the professionals at funeral homes for inspirational and original ideas on how to craft your departing message to the world of the living.

You can learn more about funeral homes Quincy, FL. Talk to us at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in Florida or call one of our locations.

Fascinating Funerary Traditions from Around the World

What’s considered “normal” by any one person largely depends on their native region of the world and the culture that exists there. Though placing your deceased in an elaborately decorated pine box and burying them six feet beneath the earth might sound perfectly normal to most Americans and Europeans, this practice sounds downright strange to many other cultures. Likewise, at least some of other cultures’ funerary practices will likely strike outsiders as odd, as well – if not downright macabre. Join us on a brief journey to explore two of the most fascinating funerary traditions from around the world. And if you’re seeking solutions closer to home, be sure to reach out to cremation services Tallahassee, FL for assistance.

Famadihana – Madagascar

Also called “The Turning of the Bones”, Famadihana is an ancient rite practiced by the Malagasy people since at least the 17th century, though its origins likely trace back further than that. The ceremony, which is more a celebration than an affair of mourning, consists of several phases. First, the living descendants of the deceased enter the crypt where the remains are interred and haul the cloth-wrapped cadaver out into the daylight. The remains are then placed on the ground and rewrapped in fresh cloth and the decedent’s name is written on the new wrappings. Lastly, the family lifts the freshly swaddled corpse over their heads and circles the crypt several times while dancing to vivacious music before returning it to its resting place.

Traditional Irish Wake – Ireland

Though similar to traditional American wakes, in which the deceased is presented in a casket at a funeral home for friends and family to view, visit, and mourn with one another, Irish wakes have a few key differences. First, there’s the attitude surrounding the wake. Irish wakes are typically a time for celebration, as they believe the recently deceased is preparing for a journey to a better place in the afterlife. For this reason, the deceased is prepared for their trip through a process known as “laying out”.

Immediately after passing, a window within the premises is opened to allow the deceased’s spirit to escape, then closed after two hours to prevent the spirit from returning to the body. Clocks are stopped at the time of death, mirrors are covered, and window shades are drawn. Candles are placed at the head and foot of the dead’s resting location, and sometimes boots are laid out to aid them on their walk through purgatory. They’re washed, shaved, and dressed smartly. Rosary beads are placed in their hands and a cross on their neck. The person of honor is then displayed within either their own or a beloved family member’s home, traditionally by being placed in a chair somewhere within the residence to greet and mingle with the guests.

To Each Their Own

Though cultural differences can often appear strange at first glance it’s important to maintain an open mind and respectful attitude and to also remember that our own practices, both those concerning the living and the dead, most likely appear equally offensive to others. Only through education and communication can we come to accept one another, and to this end, we hope this article aided you. For more information concerning funerary rites and options available to you contact cremation services today.

You can learn more about cremation services Tallahassee, FL. Talk to us at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in Florida or call one of our locations.

Three Eco-Friendly Funerals

Maintaining an environmentally conscious lifestyle can often be difficult work. New data and discoveries emerge constantly proving that many of the ubiquitous items and activities we engage with on a daily basis are harming the environment. From plastic straws to PFAS, nothing is safe from scrutiny. By and large, this is a good thing; striving to reduce our footprint on the planet and preserve the natural wonders and resources Earth provides is always an important and laudable pursuit. Still, change is nothing if not difficult, and sometimes it feels as if the world is changing faster than one can keep up. Contact funeral homes in Tallahassee, FL for more information regarding options available in your area.

Fortunately, there’s at least one easy decision you can make that will pay big, eco-friendly dividends that also has zero impact on your lifestyle – your funeral. Like every other industry, the funeral business has had to adapt in order to keep up with the changing times. Now the deceased has more options than ever regarding how they choose to return their body to the earth.

Read on to learn about some of the most popular options for eco-friendly funerals.

A Natural Choice

Natural burials (also known as “green” or “woodland” burials) are about as basic as you can get – and that’s a good thing. These burials focus on simplicity and minimizing environmental impact. They don’t utilize any preservation chemicals or embalming fluids, caskets, vaults, or any of the other accouterments that accompany a typical modern funeral. The deceased is simply placed inside a biodegradable coffin, built from materials like wicker or bamboo, and interred in the earth.

The Last Suit You’ll Ever Wear

For those who’d like an alternate but equally eco-friendly option, there’s the fungal burial suit – sometimes called the “mushroom death suit”. It might sound scary, but the premise is actually pretty straightforward and practical. The deceased is wrapped in organic cotton cloth embedded with mushroom spores and buried at the shallow depth of three feet. The fungus will quickly grow and develop mushrooms on the surface of the soil, purportedly breaking down the body into vital nutrients that it distributes to local flora via the mushroom’s mycelium – essentially a fungal root system – while simultaneously neutralizing any toxins within the body such as lead and mercury.

I Come From the Water

One of the most recent processes developed in the funeral industry is aquamation. Like cremation, the body is placed inside a chamber and broken down to its base elements over a relatively short period of time. Also, like the cremation process, the decedent’s body is reduced to an ash-like bone powder which is passed on to surviving kin. That’s where the similarities end, though. In aquamation the deceased is placed inside a stainless-steel vessel which is filled with water and alkali. The temperature of the solution is raised several hundred degrees and the alkaline water solution is gently pumped around the body. Over a period of 6 to 20 hours, the body is dissolved. Aquamation is stated to use only 10% of the energy required for cremation, doesn’t burn fossil fuels or release any toxins into the air as cremation does, and provides up to 20% more “ashes” than cremation.

Regardless of whether you’re a traditionalist or keen to explore many of the exciting new methods and technologies emerging within the industry, funeral homes have the knowledge, experience, and client-first mindset to provide you with the answers you need. Reach out today for more information.

You can learn more about funeral homes in Tallahassee, FL. Talk to us at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in Florida or call one of our locations.

Burial vs. Cremation – Which is Best?

The technique of body disposition defines the distinctions between cremation and burial. Cremation is the burning of a body leaving behind ash and bone for the family to keep or dispose of. Cremation is reducing a body to its fundamental parts via the use of heat and flame. The corpse is reduced to ashes and bones by a specifically built furnace known as a cremation chamber. There are cremation services in Tallahassee, FL, that handle cremation and burial services for families based on their preferences.

Burial involves burying the body of a deceased person underground. This is generally accomplished by excavating the earth and burying the body 6 feet below it. Recently, it has been revealed that some families opt to bury the cremated ashes of their loved ones.

According to reports by CANA (Cremation Association of North America), the rate of cremation used as a method of funeral service for the deceased has grown exponentially from 48.6% in the year 2015. And it is expected to increase by 54.3% before the end of 2021. Also, according to FAMIC (Funeral and Memorial Information Council), in a report conducted by Harris Poll, it was reported that over 65% of Americans choose the option of cremation.

People, influenced by various factors, such as religion, personal belief, and race, have grown only to accept one method of funeral service and banish the others. In contrast, there are others who are liberal about the decision or do not care about their bodies after death.

Burial vs. Cremation: The Pros and Cons

Burial or cremation is a tough decision to make for bereaved families or even for living beings making pre-funeral plans. However difficult, there are pros and cons between the two methods that may help people decide.

The Pros:

Burial	Cremation
You are sure of getting quality funeral services based on the costs.	It is less expensive.
The presence of a gravesite can allow the family closure.	Cremated remains can be taken anywhere and at any time.
A more recognized form of burial method.	It has no time restraints. The burial rites can occur after the cremation.
Provision of a specified location where the body of the deceased is buried. This allows for family or personal visitation.	A cremation scattering can occur at any place of choice.
Burial practices are not limited by certain customs, beliefs, or religions. It’s an acceptable way of laying the dead to rest.	It supports various memorial options for the bereaved family.

The Cons:

Burial	Cremation
It can get expensive.	Not a generally accepted method for a funeral.
Cemetery restrictions may serve as a hindrance to the bereaved families.	It is not provided in most areas.
The thought of burying their loved ones beneath the ground may not be comfortable for everyone.	A loved one being burned to ashes may not be comfortable for everyone.

In the end, the choice of a burial procedure may only be made after thorough investigation and analysis. It’s crucial to have an honest discussion with loved ones regarding burial options so that everyone is on the same page. Cremation services can provide professional assistance when in doubt. Their role is to assist you in making the most acceptable decision for your dead loved one (s).

You can learn more about cremation services in Tallahassee, FL. Talk to us at Lifesong Funerals & Cremations to schedule a consultation and learn about cremation services/funeral home services. Visit our offices in Florida or call one of our locations.