I’m traveling to Texas this week for an industry professional conference .  The ICCFA (International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association) is being hosted in San Antonio this year.  This is a wonderful way for me to stay current on world wide trends and customs.  So what have I found so far?

Here is my pick for this morning, “Let Your Love Grow”. ” Let Your Love Grow” is a product that converts cremated remains into active plant nutrients. (You may or may not know, that cremated remains consist primarily of processed bone, which breaks-down very slowly when released  into nature through scattering or  ground burial.) ”Let Your Love Grow” is an environmentally safe and friendly planting mixture  that expedites natural decomposition of the cremated remains. All the ingredients used in creating “Let Your Love Grow” are either naturally occurring organic or inorganic materials.  The packaging, including the container, are biodegradable and recycled.  The process uses paperboard which is 100% recycled fiber utilizing 80% post-consumer products.

As with any growing process, environmental factors, such a season, temperature, moisture and sunlight, affect the process.  However, the natural biological process begins soon after the planting.

In Indiana, more than 24% of families we serve choose cremation.  Many of those families choose cremation for environmental reasons.  So inquiring minds want to know…is this for you?  More from Texas later.

Sometimes when we loose a parent who has been ill for any period of time there are medications  that need to be disposed of.  You may have been advised to flush them down the toilet or toss them in your conventional trash.  I have another suggestions for those prescriptions and any others  you may have in your home that are out of date and unneeded.

March 13,2010 Central Indiana Marsh Pharmacies will accept pharmaceuticals from 9a.m.-5p.m.  On March 14,2010 they will dispose of the materials in an environmentally-friendly manner.

Leave the medications in their original containers but make out your personal information.  They are accepting the following items.

Prescription medications-Over the counter medications-Vitamins and nutrition supplements-Veterinary medications-Sharp needles in resealable hard plastic containers

If you are not sure about the items feel free to call (317)-594-2408 or visit IDEM’s recycling site.  Many thanks to Renee and Meghan of www.greenpieceindy.ccsend.com for the heads up!

I attended a concert this weekend and the artist shared a story about losing several of her pets and keeping their cremated remains at her home. 

That action isn’t unusual for our clients nor was the fact she was  acquiring a collection of old friends in her closet.  She had meant to bury their urns but never seemed to find the time to get it done.  She joked that this behavior had fostered the lyrics for a song and one of her little friends was now a new form of musical instrument she’d created called a “catcha”. ( I apologize if I misspelled “catcha”.)

As spring approaches this is a great time to honor specials friends and family.  Help them  “out of the closet” and off the hearth.  Nestle the ones you love somewhere meaningful and secure. If you need some suggestions just drop me a note. 

By the way, Sunday’s concert was great!  Ms. C.W. was wonderful as usual.  For more concert options check out www.Indyacousticcafeseries.com . Enjoy the sunshine!