Urns

When it comes to cremation urns, there is literally something for everyone. Size, color, materials, design. No matter what aspect of a cremation urn you are interested in, nearly everything is customizable, allowing even the most cost conscious families to create memorials befitting the personality of their precious loved ones. Here is a summary of the options one can keep in mind when choosing the perfect cremation urn.

Urn Size:

Cremation urns are available in any number of different sizes, each suitable for a different type of use. Very large cremation urns tend to hold 400 - 500 cubic inches worth of remains and are suitable for the many couples who are comforted by the thought of spending eternity together in one urn. Standard sized cremation urns typically hold 170 - 350 cubic inches worth of remains and are the usual choice for most people. But, that said, these “individual” sized cremation urns can vary a great deal in size. Some, for example, are designed to store ashes in the base of a rather large sculpture, and, in others that are smaller, the ashes are stored into a hollow portion of a sculpture or cylinder design itself. And, finally, the smallest size of cremation urns are known as “keepsake” urns and typically hold anywhere from a teaspoon to 50 cubic inches of remains. These types of urns are not intended to hold the entire set of remains of a single person, but, rather, they are perfect for families who want to divide the ashes of a loved one amongst several locales or for those who wish to keep a small portion of ashes that are otherwise scattered over some special place.

Urn Color:

Cremation urns are available in colors that span the rainbow and set any sort of memorial tone that a family can desire. Whimsical, playful personalities can be remembered through the ages with bright colors on an urn, and the memorial industry offers plenty of choices in that regard. Whether an urn is made from wood, fiberglass, or even brass, it can be enhanced with just about any type of color scheme imaginable. One wood urn artist is even well known for creating colorful designs not from paint but, rather, by using pieces of rare wood that are a multitude of different colors.

Studious personalities are best memorialized with urns that feature a serious-toned color. Plenty of elegant cremation urns made from all types of materials feature, smooth, sophisticated colors -- brown, gray, black, etc. -- that will present a picture of intelligence and wisdom to the ages.

Urn Materials:

Cremation urns are made from all sorts of materials, ranging from long-lasting natural substances such as marble and granite to biodegradable materials such as paper. This vast array of choices for materials means that cremation urns can be used for just about any memorial setting imaginable. Studier materials, such as steel and bronze are suitable for outdoor display or for direct burial of remains. And the less hearty materials such as glass or wood can become beautiful additions to any interior decor. One surprising choice of cremation urn material may be paper. Yes, it’s true that many people today desire to have an attractive urn at a funeral service but do not intend to keep the ashes stored in a single place for a long period. So, for these cases, biodegradable, relatively inexpensive, urns made from paper or cardboard are the perfect choice.

Urn Design:

The most amazing thing regarding the diversity of cremation urns may just be the availability of multitudes of designs. Those who think of cremation urns as simple, vase-like cylinders will likely be surprised at what else earns the name cremation urn these days. Traditional “Grecian” urn designs are still quite common and popular, of course, but that is just the start. Beautiful urns are now available today that take the shape of jewelry boxes, kitchen ware, sporting goods, and even motorcycle gas tanks. It’s not uncommon today to see urns designed to be part of an outdoor memorial display -- such as in a hollow “memorial rock” that is installed in a garden of some sort. And, with the explosion of creativity in the memorial industry in recent years, elaborate or unusual designs of urns do not necessarily have to be custom ordered from an artist (though many people still do that). Plenty of ready-made, off-the-norm, and designs are available from retailers at any time and can be shipped, in most cases, within a week. Urns featuring baseball gloves, hunting scenes, and even a ball of yarn are among the many unique designs that are available for immediate purchase these days.

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

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.

Memorial Jewellery- Keepsakes for Cremains

Memorial Jewellery- Keepsakes for Cremains

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!

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.

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.

Funeral options- Cremation

Modern cremation process.

The cremation occurs in a crematory (or crematorium), consisting of one or more cremator furnaces or ccremation retorts for the ashes. A cremator is an industrial furnace capable of generating temperatures of 870-980 °C (1,598-1,796 °F) to ensure the disintegration of the corpse. A crematorium may be part of chapel or a funeral home, or part of an independent facility or a service offered by a .

Modern cremator fuels include natural gas and propane. However, coal and coke were used until the early 1960s.

Modern cremators have adjustable control systems that monitor the furnace during cremation. These systems automatically monitor the interior to tell when the cremation process is complete, after which the furnace shuts down automatically. The time required for cremation thus varies from body to body, and in modern furnaces may be as fast as one hour per 45 kilograms (99 lb) of body weight.

A cremation furnace is not designed to cremate more than one body at a time, something that is illegal in many countries, including the U.S. Exceptions are sometimes made in extreme cases, such as of a deceased mother and her still-born child or still-born twins, but in these cases the mother and child must be placed in the same cremation container.

The chamber where the body is placed is called the retort and is lined with heat-resistant refractory bricks. The coffin or container is inserted (charged) into the retort as quickly as possible to avoid heat loss through the top-opening door. The container may be mounted on a charger (motorised trolley) that can quickly insert the container or on a fixed or movable hopper that allows the container to slide into the cremator.

Modern cremators are computer-controlled to ensure legal and safe use. For example, the retort door cannot be opened until the cremator has reached its operating temperature, and United States federal regulationsrequire that newly constructed cremators feature dual electrical and mechanical heat shutoff switches and door releases accessible from inside the retort. Refractory bricks are typically replaced every five years because thermal fatigue gradually introduces fissures reducing their insulating strength.

Some crematoria allow relatives to view the charging. This is sometimes done for religious reasons, such as in traditional Hindu and Jain funerals.

Most cremators are a standard size. Typically, larger cities have access to an oversize cremator that can handle deceased in the 200 kilograms (440 lb)+ range. Most large crematoria have a small cremator installed for the cremation of foetal and infant remains.

The cremation

The coffin containing the body is placed in the retort and incinerated at a temperature of 760° to 1150°C (1400° to 2100°F). During the cremation process, a large part of the body (especially the organs) and other soft tissue are and oxidised by the intense heat; gases released are discharged through the exhaust system. The process usually takes 90 minutes to two hours, with larger bodies taking longer time.

What remains after cremation are dry bone fragments. Their colour is usually light grey.

Jewellery, such as wristwatches and rings, is ordinarily removed before cremation, and returned to the family. The only non-natural item required to be removed is a pacemaker, because it could explode and damage the cremator; the mercury contained in a pacemaker's batteries also poses an unacceptable risk of air pollution. In the United Kingdom, and possibly other countries, the undertaker is required to remove pacemakers prior to delivering the body to the crematorium, and sign a declaration stating that any pacemaker has been removed.

After the incineration is completed, the bone fragments are swept out of the retort and pulverized by a machine called a cremulator to process them into "ashes" or "cremated remains".

The grinding process typically takes about 20 minutes.

The ashes are then placed in a container. The default container used by most crematoriums, when nothing more expensive has been selected, is almost always a hinged snap-locking box of plastic.

Ash weight and composition

Cremated remains are mostly dry calcium phosphates with some minor minerals, such as salts of sodium and potassium. Sulphur and most carbon is driven off as oxidised gases during the process, although a relatively small amount of carbon as carbonate may remain.

The ash remaining represents very roughly 3.5% of the body's original mass (2.5% in children). Because the weight of dry bone fragments is so closely connected to skeletal mass, their weight varies greatly from person to person. Because many changes in body composition (such as fat and muscle loss or gain) do not affect the weight of cremated remains, their weight can be more closely predicted from the person's height and sex than from their simple weight.

Ashes of adults can be said to weigh from 4 pounds (1.8 kg) to 6 pounds (2.7 kg), but the first figure is roughly the figure for women and the second for men. The mean weight of adult cremated remains in a Florida, U.S. sample was 5.3 lb (approx. 2.4 kg) for adults (range 2 to 8 lb or 0.91 to 3.6 kg). This was found to be distributed bi-modally according to sex, with the mean being 6 pounds (2.7 kg) for men (range 4 to 8 lb or 1.8 to 3.6 kg) and 4 pounds (1.8 kg) for women (range 2 to 6 lb or 0.91 to 2.7 kg). In this sample, generally all adult cremated remains over 6 pounds (2.7 kg) were from males, and those under 4 pounds (1.8 kg) were from females.

Cremated remains are returned to the next of kin in a rectangular plastic container, contained within a further cardboard box or velvet sack, or in an urn if the family had already purchased one. An official certificate of cremation prepared under the authority of the crematorium accompanies the remains, and if required by law, the permit for disposition of human remains, which must remain with the cremated remains.

Cremated remains can be kept in a cremation urn, stored in a special memorial building (columbarium), buried in the ground at any location or sprinkled on a special field, mountain, or in the sea. In addition, there are several services in which the cremated remains will be scattered in a variety of ways and locations. Some examples are via a helium balloon, through fireworks, shot from shotgun shells, or scattered from an airplane (this is not illegal in most jurisdictions, in part because laws prohibiting it would be difficult to enforce). One service sends a lipstick-tube sized sample of the cremated remains into low earth orbit, where they remain for years (but not permanently) before re-entering the atmosphere. Another company claims to turn part of the cremated remains into synthetic diamonds that can then be made into jewellery. Cremated remains may also be incorporated, with urn and cement, into part of an artificial reef, or they can also be mixed into paint and made into a portrait of the deceased. They can also be scattered on private property with the owner's permission. A portion of the cremated remains may be retained in a specially designed locket known as cremation jewellery. The cremated remains may also be entombed. Most cemeteries will grant permission for burial of cremated remains in occupied cemetery plots that have already been purchased or are in use by the families disposing of the cremated remains without any additional charge or oversight.

The above information has been sourced from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cremation