Saturday, December 31, 2011

Keepsake Jewellery

Keepsake Cremation Jewelry Pendants

As many news outlets have noted in recent years and months, keepsake memorial pendants is a growing trend in the memorial industry, one that sometimes captures people by surprise when they first hear of it.

I had no idea that something like this was available until I saw it online, one recent consumer exclaimed as she was placing a telephone order for one of the beautiful pewter pendants, catching on across the country, that feature a unique cobalt blue glass cylinder that stores a tiny portion of any loved one’s cremation ashes.
Keepsake Pendants such as these pieces is definitely a growing trend that is helping many Americans memorialize their loved ones in very specific, very personal ways. And, what’s more, the trend is very affordable. Industry group’s say that the average cost for a traditional burial is about $7,000, but an average cremation costs about $1,500. That leaves the average of about $5,500 to spend on other things, and many choose to use some of that money to buy a variety of keepsake jewellery pieces so that everyone who is mourning the loss of a loved one can keep a piece of him or her nearby for the ages. Because keepsake memorial jewellery pieces can be found for prices as low as $30, many families have begun a tradition of ordering dozens of pieces and distributing them to be worn during a memorial service.

These same families find that sharing of ashes in this way helps when relatives are scattered across the country (or even across the globe) and determining one specific spot in which to permanently display or store the ashes would be a difficult decision. Now, thanks to the growing trend of keepsake memorial cremation jewellery, many families never have to make that decision. They can, very afford-ably, display the ashes in a wide variety of places.

Of course, while price is an important factor in the popularity of keepsake pendants and its emergence as a growing trend, there are plenty of other reasons that consumers buy keepsake jewelry pieces. An amazing variety of keepsake cremation jewelry is available today, and it can take a huge variety of shapes: heart pendants, oval pendants, even picture pendants are all readily available, and all can be found in sterling silver, gold vermeil and even solid 14 karat gold. The pieces can often be custom tailored to meet even more specific needs: One customer, for example, purchased a lavishly designed, gold keepsake jewelry piece and asked a professional jeweler to attach some special diamonds and other precious jewels to it. These additional jewels had been part of the customer’s deceased wife’s wedding ring and other special pieces, and including them in a beautiful piece that displayed a tiny portion of the woman’s ashes was the perfect tribute, the man said.

Truly, the sky is the limit when designing or just simply choosing a piece of keepsake memorial jewellery that will perfectly memorialize a loved one. That is why memorial jewellery is a growing trend that is helping families across the country celebrate a loved one’s life with dignity and style and, most importantly, a personal touch that cannot be duplicated.

Cremation jewellery is available from cheap economy cremation jewellery to high end gold cremation jewellery

Monday, August 29, 2011

Funeral Costs- What prices to expect when planning a funeral

Funeral Costs

Below is a conservative guide to the costs involved with organising a funeral. Funeral prices vary from funeral director to funeral director so it pays to shop around.

Please note that the below funeral prices are not an average on today's funeral costs. The below prices are a guide only and a good starting point for planning a funeral and understanding what is involved. You may find you are quoted more or (hopefully) less on any of the below funeral costs.

Please note that these Funeral prices are a guide only. Prices vary from state to state.

Cremation
fee $820- $990
Burial fee Starting from $3500+

Choice of burial or cremation plus some or all of the below expenses

Funeral Coffin/ Casket Costs

Basic coffins
Paper veneer chip board
or MDF coffin with cheap plastic handles $780- $2200

Solid timber coffins
Pine wood coffins starting from $2700
Solid Oak timber coffin $4150.00

Funeral caskets $5,000- $11,800.00

A coffin has a tapered end and a casket is rectangular with a large hinged lid.

AFFORDABLE SOLID TIMBER COFFIN ALTERNATIVES-Caskets Direct solid timber coffins $1299 CLICK HERE for photos and more information on our coffins and caskets. Reliable delivery direct to your chosen funeral director Mob 0424 279 950. As seen in CHOICE Magazine.

AFFORDABLE SOLID TIMBER CASKET ALTERNATIVES- Caskets Direct solid timber funeral caskets $2670- Solid Oak $2899. CLICK HERE for photos and more information on our coffins and caskets.
Reliable delivery direct to your chosen funeral director. Call us Mob 0424 279 950.

Other funeral costs

Doctors Certificate $60
Death Certificate $25-$49
Flowers Nominated $200+
News Paper Funeral Notice $200-$300+
3 coaches or 10 seat limo $600

Service fee $1600
Service Fee includes:

Transfers
Rosary Viewing night before
Celebrant
Memorial book (you may be charged extra for this)

To speak with us to discuss how you can save on the costs of a funeral call Mob 0424 279 950.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Memorial jewellery pendants and lockets are usually worn around the neck or wrist and are the most common type of memorial jewellery. Memorial jewellery is some times referred to as keepsake jewellery or cremation jewellery and is made from various materials including gold, silver and stainless steel. Memorial Jewellery is becoming very popular in Australia with more and more families buying these precious keepsakes to keep their loved one close.

More people are turning toward cremation today than ever before, partly due to the fact that it is much more affordable than traditional burial. Keepsake cremation jewelry is the perfect way to keep a loved one in your mind and in your heart. Caskets Direct sell a striking range of memorial jewellery which range in appearance made from quality materials that last for many years.

Our memorial jewellery comes in a spectacular array of designs so that you can select a style that suits the tastes or preferences your loved one may have liked. From simple to elegant, you can find a piece of memorial jewellery to suit your tastes.

Memorial jewellery is the perfect way to honour your loved one and help you hold onto the special memories of your lost loved one.

Cremation jewellery is not only beautiful and lasting, it is the perfect way to keep the memories of a loved one who has departed alive forever. No matter where you go, cremation jewelry allows you to take a small portion of your beloved along with you. Often as life goes on, we move to a different location far away from where the cremains of a loved one may be buried or scattered; now, you can have them with you in heart and spirit always.

Depending on your personal preferences, cremation jewelry comes in styles and designs fashioned for any taste. If you love elegance, you can find that in the piece you choose. Religious symbols, animal figurines and even simply shaped memorial jewelry allows you to pick something that is perfect for your style tastes. Today’s choices offer such beauty and elegance, those around you won’t realize that the memorial jewellery you are wearing isn’t ordinary jewelry.

Another benefit of cremation jewellery is the wide assortment of materials it is made of. Not everyone wants gold – some love silver, while others prefer glass, wood or stainless steel. Some necklaces are made as lockets, so that you can place a small photo of your loved one inside, along with the keepsake memento you have chosen. Cremation jewellery truly has special meaning. At those times that everyone experience when they deeply miss their loved one who is gone, knowing that a part of them is so close offers comfort and peace.

If keeping a portion of the remains of a loved one who has gone on seems unsettling or morbid to you, memorial jewellery is useful for other mementos. You may want to place a small amount of ground from the burial site inside, or even a lock of hair. The decision is yours to make; whatever gives you a feeling of true peace and tranquility is the right choice for you. Cremation keepsakes are made to memorialize a loved one, and help you go forward with the future while keeping the spirit and memory of your loved one alive in your heart and mind.

As time goes forth, cremation is becoming a choice of many people. Not only is it a more affordable option which is important in this day and time, there are so many beautiful urns, jewelry and other memorials to choose from. No longer do you have to live with the thought of your loved ones remains being placed in a square box. Cremation jewelry and exquisite keepsake urns allow you to remember and celebrate your loved one with great beauty and style!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Memorial Jewellery

Memorial Jewellery Filling and Care

Filling Keepsake Jewellery

Customers who buy keepsake jewelry often have questions about filling it with cremation ashes. The most important thing to keep in mind about this topic is that, if you need help – or if you just feel uncomfortable filling your keepsake jewelry the funeral home or crematory nearest your home can usually be of assistance. Filling keepsake jewelry is an easy and quick task for most memorial industry professionals and many will assist you for very little charge, often none at all. But, that said, many people do elect to fill keepsake jewelry themselves and, for those people, the following guide can be useful.

How to Open your Memorial Jewellery:

Cremation jewelry has two general methods of opening. Some pieces can be opened by using two fingers to twist open a small screw at the top of the piece. Others require a small screwdriver to remove a screw that fits flush with the surface of the piece (usually in the back or the bottom). In either case, the method for opening the jewelry is usually self explanatory once the piece is in hand. A few pieces have two compartments and, generally speaking, these compartments have two openings, each of which can be accessed in the same way. A few pieces are hinged on one of the sides and can be opened to reveal one or more hollow compartments in which the cremation ashes can be stored. These types of cremation jewelry pieces are relatively uncommon, however, and many people who buy them use them to store small items – such as pictures, locks of hair and even dried flowers – that might not fit inside a piece with an opening the size of a small screw.

How to Fill your Memorial Jewelry:

Most cremation jewelry can be filled with the help of a small funnel that is included with most orders. Simply hold the funnel to the opening on the jewelry, spoon a small portion of the ashes into the funnel, and use a toothpick to help guide all of the ashes into the opening. It is preferable to use a plastic spoon that can be discarded, along with the funnel and toothpick, after the jewelry has been filled.

How to Seal your Memorial Jewellery:

In most cases, the jewelry can be adequately sealed simply by tightly fastening the screw back into place. Many consumers want an even more permanent seal, however, and this can be easily done. Simply place a few drops of strong adhesive onto the screw just before fastening. Cremation Jewelry manufacturers will sometimes provide a tube of adhesive with the piece, but, if one is not included, any hardware store – or even a general purpose store – will probably have a sufficient product for a very low price. Again, an adhesive is not always necessary to secure a permanent seal. Many people elect to use it for their piece of mind. Applying an adhesive to the screw is particularly recommended if there is a chance the pendant might end up submerged in water at some point. (Long periods of intentional submersion – as if in a swimming pool or bathtub – are not recommended, but occasional exposure to rain should not be a problem for most pieces.)

Here is a Simple Step Guide:

Unscrew and then screw the pendant’s cap several times to test that the threads are clean.

Place the uncapped pendant on a stable surface and put the enclosed funnel into the opening.

Gather about a teaspoon of ashes onto a small spoon and pour the ashes into the funnel. Leave about 10 to 15 percent of the pendant unfilled.

Remove the funnel and, with a toothpick, remove any stray ashes that are on the inside of the neck.

(Optional) Place a drop of quick-adhesive glue (Super Glue) onto a toothpick and then quickly spread the glue onto the threads on the neck or cap of the pendant.

Screw the cap tightly onto the pendant.

If you glue the cap, allow sufficient drying time before wearing your pendant.
Important Note About Your Necklace Chain:

Some of our cremation jewellery models arrive with the chain unattached. When installing the chain, it is important to threat the pendant from side to side (not front to back). This will ensure that the pendant hangs properly when worn.

Caring For Your Memorial Pendant:

To maintain the integrity of the cap’s seal, do not place the pendant directly in water. To clean the pendant, simply wipe it occasionally with a slightly damp cloth. Avoid using cleaning chemicals other than small amounts of soap on your pendant. Also, avoid wiping the silver portions of your pendant with paper towels. When not wearing your pendant, store it in a container of some sort that is placed in a cool, dry place. This will prevent tarnishing and scratching.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Australia First Coffin Shop Open In Melbourne

NEWS ARTICLE

Australian first, Caskets Direct have today opened the nation's first retail 'bricks and mortar' coffin shop in response to consumers demanding that online shopping simply wont suffice.

Whilst many retailers are moving their business online to cash in on the increasing number of consumers shopping from home, for one company it is clear that public demand has taken a step in the opposite direction. In a turn for the conventional retail shopping experience, online business Caskets Direct has opened Australia's first funeral products retail store.

Heads are turning on the streets of Melbourne to get a glimpse of everything from pure wool eco coffins and high-end solid timber caskets, to memorial jewellery, which is used to carry ashes around ones neck.

"It's not exactly the kind of shop you just duck into when out doing the weekly shopping" owner Asha Martin commented. " For the most part people are intrigued and not used to seeing such items displayed in a retail shop on a busy shopping strip".

Prior to Caskets Direct starting its online funeral products website two years ago, Australian families could only buy a traditional timber coffin from a funeral home.

"We have been an online-only business for the past few years now and there is a growing number of people wanting to come in and buy affordable coffins and urns in person. Despite all the talk of online stores taking over, there is something to be said for being able to see the item and get personalized service".

The family owned and run Caskets Direct Pty Ltd retail shop officially opens its doors in West Footscray on Friday the 18th March 2011.

Planning a Melbourne Funeral? Click here.