Tombstone Chronicles – Doggy Tombstones

So you think pets are ignored by the cemetery business.  Think again – its a major business.

The three dog tombstone photos in the Doggy Gallery are photos of graves found on the Campus of Marian University – when taken back in 1980′s, they were in a field.  The University was then a College and not yet starting down the road to full university status.

As an employee, I really took alot of photos of the campus.  The campus has grown since then in size and in buildings.  I am not interested in locating the stones.  Just want to share these awesome stones with all of you.

Mr. Frank H. Wheeler, Jr. had a mansion which is now apart of the campus life of Marian University in Indianapolis.  This mansion has a colonade and a beautiful feel to it.  The colonade was built originally to enable him or a servant to walk his beloved dogs.

When they crossed the rainbow bridge, he had them buried on the grounds of the mansion and included a tombstone for each of them.

Dog stones Grouping

 

The photo is just one of three.  The other two are on the Virtual Museum of Victorian Era Ephemera Galleries.

These dogs lived during the American years of the Victorian Era.

 

Best Practice – Photography Take 2

Photography at a cemetery has been discussed – however, ever think about what to include at a cremation memorial ceremony?

The days of big funerals are changing a little bit in places.  Some of the things that has been recommended to do can not be done fully at a memorial service.

Recently, this blogger, has had to deal with a cremation memorial service for her Mom.  This was impersonal, underwhelming and totally ignorable in my opinion.  Outside of visiting with people and eating cookies – it was leaving me feeling – so when is the funeral.

To avoid these issues I have a list of Best Practice helps to avoid them.

1. Let the funeral home know how religious the crowd really is – this is a big issue.  Make sure you see the ceremony booklet before finishing your plan making.
2. Ask about photos to be displayed.  And how not to display them.
3. Help select the best of memories and the times everyone had.
4. Enable the crowd at the funeral home to grieve along with you instead of just holding your hand.
5. Allow the clergy member present to say a few words before having a prayer service as planned.  Especially if the clergy was a friend to the deceased.

If the urn is in the room – make sure a picture of the deceased is next to it.  You don’t want people to forget who this person is – even in cremain form.  (cremains are ashes)

Photos – the real reason for a take 2

Photos at the ceremony should be done with express permission of the family of the deceased.  Anyone you take a picture of – should give consent before it is taken.

Coming Soon – More posts!