Interview with Patrick McNally, undertaker and author of
“The Daily Undertaker”
When I first came across Patrick McNally’s wonderful blog “The Daily Undertaker” www.dailyundertaker.com I was amazed at the scope the project. The Daily Undertaker profiles memorial ceremonies, services, and rituals across the world and across time. From ancient Indian traditions to “Twitter Tuesdays”, Irish Wakes to YouTube memorials, Patrick's blog is a fascinating compendium of how we mourn. He writes from both experience and compassion - as an undertaker in a small town south of Madison, Wisconsin, he has seen firsthand many services. I consider his scholarship and articles a true gift, a generous exploration that can open our eyes to the many options available when it comes to memorialization.
Interview with Hayden Peters,
Mourning Jewelry Historian and Collector
Mourning jewelry represents a beautiful legacy - the art of remembering those who have gone before. In my attempts to understand the rich symbolism and language of mourning jewelry, I return time and time again to Hayden Peters' site, Art of Mourning (www.artofmourning.com). As a jewelry historian and collector, Hayden's expertise is extraordinary. Subscribe to his blog posts at www.artofmourning.wordpress.com, and you'll receive daily facts and features - I especially look forward to Symbolism Sundays.
Interview with Alix Bluh, Mourning Jewelry Designer
Alix Bluh, an artist and jewelry designer based in San Francisco, has a true understanding of the spirit behind mourning jewelry. Her work is both timeless yet modern, and her pieces are instant heirlooms that will be treasured forever. To see her work, please visit her store Modern Relics, either online at www.alixbluh.com, or in San Francisco (a brief walk from the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.)
Interview with Brent Goerz, Owner of Simple Pine Boxes
When it comes to memorial services, I've noticed a tendency to complicate things. It's as if our grief is measured by glitz. So when I came across Brent Goerz's site Simple Pine Boxes, I was moved by the beauty of its simple message. Brent's philosophy is affordability, sustainability, and above all, family participation. He believes that when funeral industries took over the work of burial, they also deprived men of processing their grief. For DIY coffins, completed coffins, urns, and other simple boxes for everyday use, please visit Brent's site and blog.
