holiday

Even though death happens all the time, people often find themselves in a difficult position when confronted with a grieving friend, family member, co-worker or acquaintance. The loss of a loved one can be crushing, taking over someone’s life in ways that they did not expect. It’s not surprising for them to need to take a step back for a while, or find new ways to move about the world.

The way that people around them react to the situation can have a significant effect. Although most people mean well, they sometimes say things that don’t convey their love and support. In some cases, statements can be actively harmful, hurting relationships for the long-term. By considering the impact of these problematic statements, it’s easier to know what to avoid.

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Although Valentine’s Day might seem like a commercialized holiday, its history is far more romantic. The English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to mention it in print, nearly 650 years ago. For hundreds of years, this day has been a day to feast and celebrate romantic love.

Of course, for people who are missing a special someone, the holiday can be even more difficult. A night spent together eating a box of chocolates and watching a rom-com may feel empty without a loved one there to share in it. But people should know that they are not alone, and they can find ways to bring their loved ones back into the celebrations. These eight ideas may help families to remember those they have lost, as well as bringing love back to the holiday.

From ancient pictographs on cave walls to stone carvings on the Serengeti Plains, Roman cameos to Egyptian tombs, humans have used engraving to leave their mark for millennia. Cultures around the world have engraved words and images into hard surfaces in order to create memorials to honor the gods, to offer respect to leaders and, especially, to remember loved ones who have passed.

Over the years, engraving technology has evolved by leaps and bounds. Modern memorials for loved ones are more beautiful than ever. Engraving may have started as the practice of scratching into stone with a rock wedge, then transformed into using cutting tools to etch metal... but modern engraving employs cutting-edge modern methods — like 3D crystal glass subsurface engraving — to deliver stunning, artistic memorials. 

Today's engraving technology offers a beautiful way to honor and remember those who've passed on in the form of a stunning heirloom.

Here at In The Light Urns, we’ve helped and walked with countless people over the years who enter into the difficult moment in their life of losing a loved one and mourning. Death is a part of life that is inevitable, yet when that time arrives for a loved one, the pain and shock are unforgettable and seemingly unbearable. Every single day, for the past two decades, it has been our mission to accompany those experiencing overwhelming loss.

The holidays are a time of gathering, for families and friends to get together. It is a perfect opportunity to share a meal, recount old stories, exchange gifts or engage in religious ceremonies. For many, the holidays can be touched with a feeling that is bittersweet, as they remember their loved ones who enjoyed the holiday and are no longer here to participate.

As the year comes to a close, it is natural to think about everything that has happened since the last holiday season. Good and bad happens to everyone, and loss is something that is felt by all. Honoring the loss of grieving families, and helping them to connect with loved ones is an important part of the season, too. This holiday season, it is a wonderful chance to remember a loved one and comfort others in their journey of grief. These 10 memorial gift ideas are perfect for the season and the people who need that comfort the most.