Death and Burial in America: Going Out in Style

By Janice Doyle

Dying in the United States is an $11 billion industry - with even Walmart and Costco offering caskets today. More and more creative entrepreneurs are looking into the great beyond and turning the afterlife into a booming aftermarket.

But it's been hard coming. The industry has been very change resistant. In past decades when a family member died, funeral plans basically followed in the way parents had done funerals before.

In 1963, Jessica Mitford wrote The American Way of Death which attacked the funeral industry's unscrupulous business practices to take advantage of grieving families. The book became a major bestseller and led to Congressional hearings on the funeral industry. And things began to change.

What has happened in the funeral industry since then?

The number one change, everyone agrees, has been cremation as an alternative to the now $7,500 average cost of a traditional burial. For example, nearly 50 percent of all deceased in Florida are cremated (in Lee County 65%). In Japan and the Scandinavian countries percentages reach as high as 95%.

Cremation has brought its own industry. Undertakers have now developed every sort of way to upgrade and upsell cremation. From fancy caskets and fancy funerals of traditional burials, people may turn to cremation and a memorial service - and maybe more.

Whichever way a person chooses, today's consumer wants things done his own way, with special touches for the occasion of a loved one's dying, according to the National Funeral Director's Association's website.

Want to go "green" and bequeath yourself literally to the dirt with a "natural burial"? Eternal Rest Memories Park in Dunedin, Florida, offers that option.

Or go green in a Kinkaraco Green Burial Shroud with pockets for mementos and a stiff backboard and handles for lowering the body. (Would that be "mort couture"?)

Ashes, Ashes, What to do?

Cremation used to be simple. Have Grandma cremated and put her ashes in a box on the shelf. Now the sky (or the sea, or the forest) is the limit as to where your cremains may be placed.

Cremation uses heat, vaporization and flame to reduce the body to its basic elements. In Florida, this process costs from $1,000 to $5,000 depending on the level of luxury afforded by the funeral home itself.

Then, someone gets the ashes. Now what?

They can be scattered, kept in a box, made into a diamond ($3,500 - $20,000 at LifeGem.com) or launched into space ($600 for an up and back trip or $12,500 to be dropped on the moon). Ashes can be added to planting soil or made into pencil lead.

Jason Rew offers the Great Burial Reef option, an opportunity to actually help create life. His Bradenton, Florida, company offers a multi-tier-shaped urn made of concrete mixed with six special natural ingredients to create a coralized texture.

Once the 60-pound urn is put on the ocean floor, little fish and marine animals find the nooks and crannies and hide there, creating a new living space under water.

Families from all over have brought or sent loved one's cremains to one of the company's four ports of call (Sarasota, Chesapeake Bay, Miami and Boston). The cremains are sealed in the urn, put aboard a boat and taken three miles offshore where the urn is lowered into the water.

The company will ship the $1000 basic sealable Living Urn anywhere in the world and families can find a spot in any ocean for placement.

Well, what about all those shoeboxes and envelopes with ashes in them?

The National Funeral Directors Association estimates there are 7 to 11 million urns and boxes sitting in houses because no one knows what to do with the cremains. Rew says, "Get Grandma off the shelf and let your ancestor create life in one of our urns."

Folks are looking for alternatives and entrepreneurs - like Great Burial Reef - are giving them what they want, which is a good thing for the industry.

And no matter how hard a funeral director might put his foot down and think that a Star Trek casket or urn is tacky, the fact is, if someone wants to go out as a Trekkie, the Internet now lets you make it happen.

"The funeral industry has been very staid and traditional," says Rew. It's an industry that others say was the last industry to be dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century.

But it's being reinvented, sometimes one death at a time.
 

The author is a free lance writer and editor in Florida specializing in senior issues, relationships, healthy lifestyle and travel.
 

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Caregiving For Elderly Parents - Decision-Making

By Sharon Elrod

Caregiving for elderly parents is an increasingly searched topic on the Internet. Many of us seniors are caring for our elderly parents, some in their own homes, and some in senior living residences such as assisted living and nursing homes. No matter the living accommodations, we have the same issues to consider as we care for our loved ones. 'Loved ones' means we may be talking about our parent(s), extended elderly family members (aunts and uncles) or close elderly friends for whom we have accepted care and responsibility in their last years.

The gamut of decision making options is available to you and others with whom you may share caregiving.. How do you decide how decision-making is handled? How much to you control, and how much does the elderly parent/relative control?
 These are some guidelines that you may find helpful as you continue on this journey:

• Always include the elder in as much decision-making as is possible given their unique situation with regard to cognitive functioning, safety issues, emotional state, physical condition, economics and practicality.
• Dad may want to make a 1500 mile road trip, but at 94, he can't find the wind shield wipers in the car. So you try to help him understand why he cannot make the trip, and explore other possibilities for going where he wants to go.
• Mother may want to cook three meals a day, but her shoulder injury from a recent fall prohibits her from being able to lift a pan from the cupboard to the stove. So you talk with her about options for meals including a delivery service (e.g., Meals on Wheels or a private in-home delivery service, depending upon economics).
• Aunt Isabel was found walking along side a country road over a mile from her farm house. It was raining. The sheriff deputy knew her and you, and she called you to come get your Aunt. Her Alzheimer's had progressed to the point that you finally had to make the decision to place her in a Memory Care Unit in the local Assisted Living Facility. She needed care and couldn't make the decision for herself. It was up to you to decide on her behalf because she could not participate.
• During your weekly visit with your father, in his own home, he tells you he wants only a private family burial service when he dies. He does not want a church service, nor anything in the funeral home. Although he has serious dementia, you believe he has thought this through and this is his choice. You honor his choice when he dies.
• Your aunt and uncle, ages 92 and 91, are still driving. You are aware of the safety issues as well as their need to remain as independent as possible. You talk with them about both safety and independence, and try to strike a bargain with them offering to drive them to appointments, grocery shopping and other transport needs. If economics allow and if they agree, you hire a private driving service if you are unable to do the driving for them. If economics do not allow, and if they agree, you strike agreements with two or three other family members to take turns driving for them. If they do not agree, you may need the assistance of a physician (neurologist?) to determine whether or not safe driving is still an option-particularly if you have reason to believe they are not safe driving.

The operative thought here is to include the elder in as much decision-making as is reasonable and possible given their unique set of life circumstances.

Article provided by Sharon Shaw Elrod. Senior Citizen Journal, Your Partner in Productive Aging, provides current and relevant information on topics of interest to seniors. Please visit my web site at http://www.seniorcitizenjournal.com/.

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Creating an Online Memorial Website Can Help With Grief and Bereavement

By Mark Dubray

Coping with the loss of a loved one and the grief that ensues can be overwhelming and sometimes difficult to manage. Death is one unavoidable certainty that we can expect in one's lifetime but that we rarely think about on a regular basis. So when it does occur, we are sometimes unprepared. This can cause a lot of stress in a person's life, and they may not know how to deal with it.

Bereavement from losing a loved one can be one of the most stressful events in a person's life. Stress, especially if persistent in nature, can affect a person's well-being and lead to serious health problems that may disturb multiple organ systems. The digestive, immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems may all be afflicted and lead to potential life threatening conditions such as bleeding ulcers, chronic infections, depression, diabetes, and heart disease. If a person does not address their grief and the stress associated with it, it may alter their overall health status for the worse.

With the advent of the internet, more people are using online means to seek out social support and facilitate the grieving process. One such medium is an online memorial website, where people can create a profile to commemorate a deceased loved one. Memorial websites can help to honor the legacy of loved ones through contributions from other people from around the globe. Photos, videos, and messages are some of the features that can be shared by family and friends and thus a place to preserve these memories for future generations to enjoy.

Online memorials have become a beneficial platform for those in mourning by allowing access to support from family and friends. Sharing meaningful memories of the deceased with others can help to initiate positive emotions. Research has shown that conjuring positive emotions and a strong social support network during times of grief can help reduce the effects of both chronic and acute stress, as well as allow a person to recover from grief faster.

Benefits of creating an online memorial:

1. It can give unlimited access to a support network of family and friends from all over the world.
2. It can help bring out positive emotions and, therefore, reduce stress and heal faster.
3. It can be a place to preserve favorite memories of a loved one through shared comments, photos and videos.
4. It can allow a bereaved individual to discuss their feelings, at any time of the day, with people who may be dealing with a similar grief.
5. It can be a place to create a family tree to be passed on to future generations.

It should be noted that in certain circumstances, such as with a sudden or traumatic death of a loved one, how a person copes can vary from person-to-person. At some point, there may be a need for professional intervention.

MemoryChestMemorials.com is an online memorial website that offers interactive memorial profiles to commemorate a loved one forever. It also donates a portion of its proceeds to a variety of charities.

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Caregiver Stress - 6 Tips to Avoid Burning Out

By Martin R. Sabel

Taking care of an elderly parent can be a Jekyll and Hyde experience for family caregivers.
On the one hand providing care to an aging parent can be very rewarding. It brings the caregiver adult child and their parent closer together. On the other hand, increasing responsibilities ramp up caregiver stress and heightens tension within the family. Anxiety and worry increase when the caregiver is maintaining a job, caring for his or her own children, leads an active social life, and must travel to care for the elderly relative.

The tasks of caregiving - running errands, cooking, cleaning, home maintenance, taking your mom or dad to doctors - appointments often exacts both an emotional and physical toll on the caregiver. In fact the pressures of caregiving are so great that 58% of caregivers show symptoms of clinical depression.

Pay attention to how you are feeling. To be an effective caregiver to your aging parent means staying alert to the warning signs of excess stress. Some of the common signs of caregiver stress include:

• Feelings of sadness
• Moodiness
• Excessive crying
• Low energy
• Feeling isolate
• Difficulty sleeping
• Over and under eating
• Withdrawal from family and/or friends
• Excessive wait gain or loss
• Anger towards the care recipient or other family members

These signs are leading indicators of depression. Depression impacts not only your ability to care for someone else, it harms your mental and physical health, too. If you feel you need more help, you're not alone. According to a study by Home Instead, the national in-home, elderly companionship and home care company, three out of every ten family caregivers agree they could use more help.

Six Tips That Manage Stress and Avoid Caregiver Burnout

1. Hire professional, non-medical caregiving assistance to give you important relief from the daily demands on you.
2. Ask your family and friends to help. It's less expensive than hiring someone and you know the qualify of care your parent will get.
3. Get informed about your elderly parents condition. Contact disease specific support groups. They offer a wealth of information to help you understand what is happening to your loved one and what to expect in the future. Most have active caregiver support groups that can help you better cope with increasing stress.
4. Get your loved one assessed. A geriatric care manager can provide an accurate needs assessment of your loved one. Doing so extends your caregiving abilities, can conserve family resources, and often helps prevent the need of a nursing home.
5. Learn stress-management exercises such as yoga or tai-chi. The exercise is good for your overall health and the emphasis on inner balance and relaxation is good for your mental well-being.
6. Take a break. Caring for an elderly parent is a job. Getting away from the daily grind allows you to recharge yourself. Make arrangements to take a few days off and arrange for help with family and friends, volunteers from church or professional caregivers.

Caregiver burnout is avoidable. To manage caregiver stress requires proactively taking care of yourself while taking care of your aging parent.

With the right information, you can reduce caregiver stress, keep your life in balance, save money and get better care for your elderly parents. To help you reduce the anxiety of caring for an elderly parent, I invite you to instantly access my FREE Weekly Eldercare Advisor. You'll discover both practical caregiving strategies and important resources for taking care of elderly parents without bankrupting yourself emotionally or financially.

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Three Reasons Why Green Cemeteries Are a Better Choice

By Will Dunham

Green cemeteries are quickly catching on in popularity among people who are planning their end-of-life process. To date, there are around 200 tracts of land that have been developed as green cemeteries in the United States alone. There are also such natural burial grounds being developed in other countries across Europe.

There are many reasons why natural burial is growing in popularity. Many people have now even begun to consider them as a better choice to traditional burials. Three of the most important reasons why green cemeteries are a better choice than burial in traditional cemeteries are listed below.

1. Burial in these cemeteries is more inexpensive than traditional plots. It usually takes thousands of dollars to fund a traditional burial. The family of the deceased will have to spend on pricey bronze caskets complete with trimmings, a plot of land in a cemetery, the concrete vault that will hold the casket, the headstone, and other things needed for a burial. The costs for these can add up to thousands of dollars.

Burial in green cemeteries, by comparison, often costs only a fraction of how much it takes to be buried in a traditional cemetery. Caskets and burial vaults are not needed. Also, instead of headstones, administrators of green cemeteries usually require planting a tree over the grave.

2. Burial in green cemeteries are environment-friendly. Bronze caskets and their metallic trimmings, the concrete vault, the headstone and other things needed for a traditional burial make use of non-renewable resources. These non-renewable resources are also non-biodegradable. In addition, the embalming process in traditional burials makes use of chemicals that can be toxic to the environment.

On the other hand, these cemeteries do not require the use of caskets or concrete vaults. If a casket is to be used in burying the body, it should be made of a material that is biodegradable. More often than not, a shroud is all that is needed for the burial. Also, the use of toxic embalming fluids is highly discouraged in natural burials so they would not seep into the ground.

3. Burial in green cemeteries promote the natural cycle of life. Even Christians, who first promoted the now traditional casket burials, believe that we will all return to the ashes from which we were made when we die. More than just a religious phrase, the term "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" refers to the natural cycle of life.

We are meant to return to the earth when we die so that our bodies can help in supporting new life. Supporting new life is what we do when we choose to be buried in green cemeteries. Many people believe that this is a much more meaningful end to a life.

There are many green burial choices available. The most important decision is whether the person will have a burial or be cremated. If the person is buried will it be traditional or in a green cemetery. If cremated will their ashes be scattered or buried. Scattering ashes [http://www.scatteringashes.net] is a wonderful route for a memorial service. By choosing cremation, the person has already chosen a more green route than traditional burial. The burial urn is not so much the issue, as burial of a metal casket and toxins are a not good for the environment. I hope this had given you soon useful information. Thank you for reading.
 

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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After-Death Communications - Receiving Messages From the Deceased

By Deborah Heneghan

When a loved one dies, they typically visit us shortly after their death. Some call this an after death communication; I call it a rock star moment. This is your personal Big Bang moment with your deceased loved one. But, please don't despair if you've never experienced a rock star sign. Some people never do, or some receive these signs years later. Personally, my biggest rock star moment was seeing my sister in my bedroom soon after she died. This jump-started our initial communication. Maybe something similar has happened to you, but you weren't sure if it was real. Perhaps you worry that you blew your big moment, that your window of communication has closed. Not the case. You can start any time by merely saying to your loved one on the other side: I miss you. I'm thinking about you. Are you okay? I'm here. Send me a sign. Let them know that you're feeling excited, happy, tired, angry, depressed. Whatever particular mood you're in, share it. Ask (for signs) and you shall receive.

Invite your loved one into your world. They've entered another, and may be waiting for an invitation back into yours. Trust the process, and your communication will soon flourish.

Allow me to share a rock star example for animal lovers (that's you, right?): Joyce and her family were obsessed with their only animal--a beautiful and vibrant German Shepherd, Leo. At eight years old, he contracted kidney disease. It was a quick and devastating decline that forced the family to put him down. Joyce and her mother couldn't get over it. Although they were a spiritual family and knew that it must have been "his time," and even believed they'd see him again one day, their hearts and intellects were miles apart. Nothing seemed to relieve their grief. Even a year later, Joyce's mother would cry every time she saw another big dog. They weren't letting him go, and had lost much of the joy in their family life.

When alive, Leo was 85-pounds, with a habit of thrusting his heavy frame against the sliding glass door to their dining room when he wanted inside. He'd stand on his hind legs and rock the glass back and forth with his front paws. It was a loud, bad habit, but they loved his energy and enthusiasm, and thought this was funny--marveling at how the glass didn't come crashing down.

Long after he passed, Joyce was at the house by herself, standing at the dining room table going through mail, when suddenly the sliding glass door began to rock wildly back and forth. Living in the Bay Area, she assumed they were having an earthquake and ran outside. But nothing else was moving. Something whispered to her that it was Leo; that he was trying to get her attention. She ran back inside and stared in amazement at the still-moving glass. She knew what Leo wanted. He wanted her and her mother to move forward with their lives, to stop grieving. When her mother came home, she told her what had happened, and they never mourned another day. It worked. The glass stayed silent.

Letting go of a loved one is one of the biggest challenges we'll ever face. We miss them, want to freeze them in time, and feel the comfort of their presence again. This, however, can freeze the both of you in place. Letting go makes room for evolution--of yourself, of them, and of what's meant to be. You can still communicate constantly. After all, they're with you day and night. But the grief must make way for celebration of who they were and still are. Letting them go isn't forgetting about them, it's letting their spirit fly. In turn, they're free to love, care for, and guide you.
 

To understand more about how to transform your grief in to guidance and blessings from your loved ones on the other side, and how after death communications can change your life for the better, please go to Closer Than You Think, LLC at: http://www.closerthanyouthinkthebook.com. For teleseminar and personal coaching information go to: http://www.closerthanyouthinkthebook.com/tele.html

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Pet Loss - 10 Tips to Help Soothe Heartbreak

By Sandy Rakowitz

Everyone who has animals knows at some point that they will have to face their death. Whether the death was gradual at the end of a full life or a youngster meeting an untimely death, or a sudden illness or injury prompting their passing, most of our animal's life spans are shorter than ours.

Losing a pet can be just as difficult, traumatic and heartbreaking as losing a family member, because they ARE family! This can be a delicate, tender, emotional and deeply personal time.

Everyone deals with loss in many varied ways. Whether the beloved who died was an animal or a person loss is still a loss. The fabric of daily life definitely changes with the loss of your companion and good friend. Animals bring so much comfort, security, loyalty and love. Animals have a way of reaching into our hearts so incredibly deeply.

I have had the honor of living with many animals over the years, and had to face many deaths. From cats wondering off, accidents, illnesses, and long and sweet endings, I have gotten quite a bit of 'practice' with this challenging transition.

While I don't think there is a formula for getting through loss, I have found some common things that have been helpful to soothe my heart and have helped me find my way through death and loss. For some, talking about their loss can be rather difficult and intense. I hope that these tips are helpful and inspiring.

Tips for Grieving the loss of a beloved animal;

1) Be honest about your feelings and thoughts. Know that you have the right to feel deep loss, heartache, guilt, depression, lack of emotion, denial and even anger.
2) Follow your instincts- to take time to know what you need, and to tend to your heart
3) Send prayers- for yourself, and for your animal who has passed
4) Plant a tree, flowers or a garden in memory of your beloved
5) Create a memory board and/or picture slide show or tribute video
6) Display pics around the house or create a special place to honor your loved one
7) Journal, write or draw your feelings using different colors for expressing feelings
8) Cry...giving yourself permission to cry
9) Talk with a trusted friend who can really listen. Talk some more!
10) Know that the connections in your heart that you have had with your animal will always remain.

You will always be linked even though they are no longer in their physical body.

Grief has its own rhythms and goes up, down and all around. Grief does not have a neat time schedule and it rears up sometimes when you least expect it. Sometimes it shows up months or even years later. Taking time to veg out, cry, write, talk... whatever you need do to help your heart and to honor the memory of your animal is all important. Take the time you need. Trust your instincts.

Feelings of grief often do not fit into a neat package....and heartache takes time to mend.

Find ways to express what you loved and appreciated and what you learned with your animal friend. Express your favorite memories. These are all your prayers.

What have you found to honor your heart and your furry, winged or scaled friend who has been part of your family and is one of your beloved?

Sandy Rakowitz of One Heart Healing Center for People & Animals, the Holistic Tips Expert who helps people & their animals live healthier, more vibrant, intuitive, fluid & inspired lives. Sandy has over 20 years in the field of Animal Wellness. Providing Practical Health & Behavior Solutions for People, Horses, Dogs, Cats, Exotics. To set up an appointment with Sandy; http://www.onehearthealingcenter.com

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Afterlife Experiences - What Are They and Can They Be Believed? (Shocking But True!)

By Danny Fredricks

What is an afterlife experience? Are they credible? Believable? Or all a bunch of "Bull" that gullible people believe to make themselves feel better?

The truth is, there are a wide assortment of valid experiences that seem to STRONGLY suggest that there is an afterlife. Most of these experiences have very little to do with religious beliefs, or dogma, or what we were taught as children growing up.

For example?

NDS's, or near death experiences, have gained lots of popularity in the last 30 years, due to 2 very important developments:

1 - Advances in science are allowing more and more people to be "brought back" from the brink of death, especially in cases of cardiac arrest and patients who were previously clinically dead and NOT retrievable

2 - Huge public interest as a result of books like "Life after Life" and "Beyond and Back" has spawned an avalanche of publications on the near death experience... some very good and scientifically strong, and others, silly and hard to believe

Other afterlife experiences include psychic mediums, who are as popular today, and as believed credible, than at any other time in recent human history. (some say that belief in an afterlife is pushing 75% around the world, and that has gone UP even while belief in organized religion has gone down)

TV shows like "Medium" and "Ghost Whisperer" and even the many ghost hunting programs have made the topic of psychics, and the afterlife VERY in vogue... that much we can all agree is true.

But are these experiences BELIEVABLE, or are they simply wishful thinking?

My own experiences prove to me that something very special, very hard to define and even life changing takes place during an afterlife event. People who have NDE'S, for example, are almost uniformly no longer afraid to die, and seem to change their entire lives as a result.

People who see, speak to or even interact with loved ones who have crossed over report similar changes - a loss of fear of death, grief relief, comfort and a firm belief that they will see their loved ones again... after this life is over.

The truth is, you have to sort of seek out answers for yourself, rather than read articles like this one, if you truly want to open yourself up to the magic, and the mystery of what may await us all. I am a believer... ONLY because I've had experiences that cannot be explained away... PERIOD. I've spoken to mediums by phone and in person who I am 100% convinced, by what they shared, were in communication with spirits or loved ones who are "with" me each and everyday.

I've had out of body experiences. I've had a few "ghostly" encounters as well..:-)
To me, the best examples of these cases suggest that we are MUCH more than a physical body, but rather we are ALL spiritual beings having a very embodied experience and our mission is to explore, to investigate and to ENJOY this life so that we may learn, grow and continue on in the next one! (The benefit of all of this is - I'm now NOT afraid to go... but I still look forward to lots of exciting years HERE as well. :-)

Ready? Join our FREE Psychic Community right HERE!
OR...
Click HERE ====> To Talk to an Authentic Psychic Medium NOW!

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Eco-Friendly Funerals: Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust

By Lee Power

People are choosing to live an eco-friendly or green life, so it comes as no surprise that they choose to have an eco-friendly or green funeral. An eco friendly funeral may be the deceased's choice or the bereaved family may take their own initiative. a green funeral ensures that the body decomposes naturally and completely and it becomes one with nature. This adheres to the adage "ashes to ashes and dust to dust". Some people may think of it as a new age fad, but in fact, it is returning to age-old practices that our ancestors practiced.

If you would like to plan an eco-friendly or green funeral, you will need to locate a funeral home that offers green funerals as part of their services. They may be specialists or a green funeral may be among the different services they offer. There are a number of green funeral homes in the country. They offer complete services as well as a burial in the woodlands. This would mean that no separate place is marked out as a cemetery. Instead, the body is buried in natural environment, with local trees and green vegetation around it.

An eco-friendly or green funeral turns out much less inexpensive when compared to the now traditional funerals. One of the first aspects of a green funeral is that the body is not embalmed. This ensures that no toxic chemicals used during the embalming process are let into the sewers. The next step is to choose an only wood or cardboard casket that will decompose completely with time. The eco-friendly caskets do not have any metal parts. Some families may also decide to bury the body without the casket, with only a shroud to cover the body. The next step would be to avoid a vault so that the casket and its contents decompose naturally with time.

A woodland burial is a complete eco-friendly or green funeral. In most incidents, a sapling is planted to mark the hand-dug grave that is slowly taken over by the natural vegetation around. You may opt for a simple headstone if you wish to.

If you're searching for a more eco-friendly method to arrange for the management of your remains after passing away, think about the following five alternatives:

• Bios Urn: While using the remains of cremation and thus not actually eco-friendly, Bios Urns enable ashes to be combined with the pre-packed earth of a ready-to-plant tree or shrub seedling.
• Alkaline hydrolysis: This procedure may seem a bit industrialized and consequently environmentally damaging, however, it is in reality probably the most environmentally-friendly answer to dealing with human remains to be developed. Quite simply a person's remains are immersed in a tank of chemical substances which break down tissue very quickly and change bone tissue into a floury compound.
• Corpse-eating mushrooms: Fungus grows on rotting organic substance, making it a perfect solution as a way to naturally eliminate human is still.

• Green burials: The conventional burial isn't necessarily harmful to the natural environment, it's only the additions we have created like complex embalming procedures and "secured" burial containers. By choosing a more naturally degradable casket and requiring that morticians stay away from embalming in favor of other possibilities, you may still have a "traditional" burial with out it becoming bad for the environment.
• Donate to science: No matter if for use by a school of medicine or even for observation at a human body farm, giving one's body to scientific research isn't just environmentally friendly.

Living an eco-friendly life implies needing to take into account the environmental effects of how we deal with dying. If you are seriously interested in learning to be an eco-friendly person, then you should think about environmentally safer options to conventional methods of dealing with human remains by visiting Funeral Blues - a store dedicated to helping you choose! http://funeralblues.org

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Power
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6889855

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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What You Need to Know About Hospice Care

By A Aaronson Death and dying is a difficult topic to think about and talk about but one that cannot be avoided indefinitely. It is something that every person must be willing to discuss at some point in their life. You may have a family member who is not doing so well. His physician may be bringing up the subject of hospice but you may be reluctant to consider it. Perhaps you are not as clear about what this care is all about. Lifting the veil can help bring you peace of mind and can make it easier to make the right decision for the person you love.

Hospice is often thought to be a place, such as a hospital or a health center. But it is actually a service and not a place. This form of palliative care can be brought into the home of the ill person. It can be provided at a nursing home, assisted living facility or in a hospital setting.

Most people wish to stay in their own homes as long as they possibly can. Hospice care in this case can come right to the residence. But if the individual's condition worsens and/or their care becomes too difficult to manage and they must move elsewhere, short-term inpatient care can come to the new location.

Hospice provides your loved one with a variety of professional services. Routine nursing visits are available for your family member, as are after hours visits, if need be. What this means is that the nurse will visit as regularly as the person requires. She will make an assessment as to whether changes need to take place. She will also make arrangements for medication to be delivered to the person. If medical equipment and supplies are needed, she will arrange for that as well.

Emergency medications and oxygen will be sent to the home or nursing facility in order to be on hand in the event of a crisis. When you choose this type of care for your loved one, you can rest assured that the nurse(s) who will be working with your loved one, have every area covered.

As a concerned and loving member of the family, your role will be acknowledged by the nursing staff assigned to your ailing relative. You are sure to have questions about what is taking place. These services are designed to keep your loved one as comfortable as possible. The nurses will field any questions that you have. They will provide you with as much information as you need to better comprehend the situation and to understand the condition of the aging individual. They will also do their part to help you and your family to prepare for what is to come.

Help is never far away when you choose hospice care. Help will come to the residence of the individual. You do not have to take the person to the physician's office. If a problem arises on a weekend or on a holiday, help can be obtained by making a telephone call.

If you have a loved one in need of hospice grand rapids has excellent resources available. To learn more about these services come to http://www.wingsofhopehospice.com.
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=A_Aaronson
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Open Your Personal Portal to Cosmic Awareness

Have you had a strange experience and afterward felt like you were another person in your same body?

Are you having unusual body sensations that can’t be defined (or diagnosed) in medical terms?

Have you been receiving downloads that seem to have activated psychic or spiritual gifts?

Do you feel as though you have been visited by your higher or future self?

Have you found yourself speaking in a mysterious unknown language?

These are signs, which indicate that you are ascending in consciousness and accessing and/or merging with more evolved aspects of your soul. Your DNA is shifting to hold a higher octave of vibration within your physical body and this is building your light body. Would you like to learn more about what is happening and why? Would you like to share your experience with others who are going through this phenomenon?  Open Your Personal Portal to Cosmic Awareness  Beginning with a Friday night fellowship on May 17, 2013, “Walk-ins Among Us ~ Open Your Personal Portal to Cosmic Awareness” will be held at the beautiful Hyatt Place Hotel (Airport) on Royal Parkway in Nashville, Tennessee.

On Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the speakers below will offer insight about integrating higher cosmic frequencies that come as a result of a soul exchange or soul merge/braid (also known as a walk-in). You will also have free time to fellowship with other walk-ins in attendance.

Walk-ins Among Us

May 17-18, 2013

Hyatt Place Hotel, Nashville, TN 37214

Reserve your space at the conference now!

This conference coincides with the release of Yvonne Perry’s new book, Walk-ins Among Us ~ Open Your Personal Portal to Cosmic Awareness.  

As our planetary system travels around the Milky Way Galaxy, the Earth aligns with other cosmic bodies that affect the magnetic pull on our planet. Within that evolutionary continuum, some humans experience a sudden transformation that awakens spiritual gifts and psychic abilities. In our current time of ascension, people are experiencing visitations, cohabitations, and even trading places with more evolved aspects of their soul in various dimensions. This embodiment of higher consciousness brings pathfinders, way-showers, lightworkers, and healers to our planet to help anchor the new paradigm of oneness and unity associated with the Divine Mother.  

 

Those who have experienced a life-transforming event will find help and comfort in this eye-opening book. Walk-ins Among Us is written by a walk-in to help others understand the soul exchange process and how to integrate higher vibrations that clear energy imprints not aligned with love, light, and joy. Through cosmic encoded activations, readers may receive downloads and learn how to stay centered and actively involved in their own ascension process as they discover their mission, purpose, and role on Earth.
 

Walk-ins Among Us

May 17-18, 2013

Hyatt Place Hotel, Nashville, TN 37214

Reserve your space at the conference now!

Virtual seats (with live chat room) are available for $39 per participant.

 

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PURCHASE the paperback book, Whose Stuff Is This? Finding Freedom from the Thoughts, Feelings, and Energy of Those Around You at http://tinyurl.com/EmpathAmazon.
The e-book version is now available for Kindle, iPhone, iPad, and other digital reading devices on Smashwords.com. Get the PDF on the author's website: WeAreOneinSpirit.com.
Why not have someone read the book to you? Check out the audio book MP3 file version.

The author, Yvonne Perry, is available as a spiritual coach. See http://weare1inspirit.com/services/coaching/ for information about a free 15-minute evaluation to see if coaching is right for you.
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Helping Your Dog Cope With the Loss of a Canine Companion

By CS Swarens

If you had more than one dog and one passed away, it is important for you to realize that the dog left behind may go through a grieving process. Just as humans mourn the loss of an animal companion or a human loved one, there is a great deal of evidence showing that dogs go through a grieving process as well. Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of this fact and to take the steps necessary to help your grieving pet get through the loss as best as possible.

Recognizing a Dog in Mourning

Recognizing that your dog is in mourning can sometimes be difficult. After all, they cannot talk to you and tell you how they are feeling. At the same time, a dog in mourning will typically exhibit some specific behaviors. Some of these behaviors may include:

o Lethargy
o Aloof behavior
o Loss of focus
o Disoriented behavior
o Lack of appetite
o Lack of interest in surroundings
o Disruption in sleep patterns
o Becoming "distant"
o Becoming overly clingy
o Excessive vocalization
o Being quieter than usual

If your dog was unable to see the deceased dog after it died, such as may be the case if you take the dog to the veterinarian to be euthanized and you choose not to bring it home, your dog may also wait anxiously for the other dog to return. In fact, it is not uncommon for dogs to go through separation anxiety when another canine companion dies.

Helping Your Mourning Dog with the Loss

If your dog is showing signs of grief after losing a canine companion, it is important for you to try to help it work through its grief. One way to do this is to provide the surviving dog with more affection and attention. Trying to engage your pet in an activity it enjoys will help take its mind off the loss, but be aware that some dogs in mourning will be resistant to playing. The key is to keep trying and to continue to provide your dog with attention. Most dogs in mourning will return to their normal activities in about two weeks, though some can take up to 6 months before they fully recover from the loss.

If your dog is expressing its grief in an undesirable way, such as howling or otherwise vocalizing excessively, you should use caution when giving it attention. If you provide your pet with attention or give it treats in order to stop the vocalization behavior, you will be  reinforcing the behavior and your pet may continue the behavior even after the grief has past. Therefore, it is important to provide your pet with the affection and attention it needs while it is engaging in appropriate behaviors. So long as the undesirable behavior is related to the grieving process and you do not reinforce it, the behavior should subside after your dog is done mourning.

If your dog seems to be severely depressed and is not moving through the mourning process at a good pace, you may want to consider talking to your doctor about giving your pet anxiety medication. Otherwise, remember that with time comes healing and, with the help of your love and affection, your pet will likely return to its normal self.

CS Swarens is the CEO of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065 For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's resource for pet classifieds Research pet information with detailed profiles of over 430 pet breeds.
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CS_Swarens
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Can Mediums Talk to the Dead? The Astonishing Truth About After Death Communication (No Joke!)

By Danny Fredricks

Do mediums really talk to the dead, or are they simply making it all up? Is after death communication a possibility at all...or simply wishful thinking by those of us who'd like to believe that life continues on after our physical bodies end?

In this article we are going to take a quick and insightful look at mediums who purport to talk to the dead...and see if we can't shine a bright and illuminating light on this amazing phenomena! Curious to know more? Great...continue reading as we take a closer look below!

Is there any real PROOF that mediums talk to the dead...or is it all just wishful thinking?

The truth? There is an ABUNDANCE of proof that after life communication is not only possible...that there are MANY gifted mediums who can facilitate this with some degree of ease. Even MORESO than mediums alone, though...there is actually an abundance of evidence that supports the idea that AVERAGE people, with NO psychic skill, can make contact with loved ones who have passed on...without doing anything exceptional whatsoever.

As a matter of fact, near death experiences, out of body experiences, crisis apparitions, (when the spirit of someone JUST deceased appears, impossibly... to another person many miles away) death bed visions, after death communications (called ADC's), past life memories, and of course.....the impressive history of many gifted mediums throughout history, ALL point to the obvious truth that our spiritual selves, or some "part" of our essence, actually leaves the body and survives physical death. When you actually look at the totality of the evidence.it's actually FAR more reasonable to believe that we have a spiritual self that continues on after death...and CAN communicate with those left behind, than it is to believe that EVERY experience above over the course of human history has been a mistake, a lie, or a hallucination.

What do Mediums actually do?

It depends on the medium. For example, famous psychic medium John Edward likens it to having a conversation with someone at the bottom of a pool...or behind a heavy glass door. You can make our much of the sounds, and see shapes and figures, but it's often difficult to understand EXACTLY what is being said, or make out very distinctive physical characteristics. In other cases...the energies come through very clearly, without any trouble, and communicate is a very concise and easy to interpret fashion...and many of these cases are the STRONGEST evidence that life continues on that we have.

Are all mediums created equal?

Absolutely not! Some mediums are very "tuned in", and others really have to struggle to be

accurate or pick up information. I've been fortunate enough to have MANY outstanding readings in my day...and the truth is, there is NOTHING more reassuring that life continues on after death than having a real reading with a genuine medium who simply gets stuff "right"!

Nothing can replace personal experience...as I started out many years ago as a skeptic as well. But when you are offered real evidence that your loved ones are still close by...and you get authentic PROOF that this is true, it totally revolutionizes what you believe is possible, and your perspective on life, death and everything in between to boot!

The bottom line?

A REAL Psychic Reading [http://daily.thepsychicjunkie.com/?p=1388] is truly the MOST fun, liberating and life changing experience you can imagine.

Just about ANYONE can have one...and if you follow the tips above, so too can you! (and believe me when I tell you, life will NEVER look the same once you have)

Ready to Explore a Genuine Psychic Medium for Yourself? Check out our MOST Recommended Psychic Mediums [http://daily.thepsychicjunkie.com] right here!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Fredricks
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Grieving Losses That Can't Be Prepared For

By Steve Wickham

"Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night."
~Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892-1950)

As a new parent-to-be (after nearly 15 years since my last child was born) I have found myself strangely cognisant of the fact that I can prepare for the baby's birth, yet, in some ways, I will be inadequately prepared, come what may. The same revelation hits the person who has lost a dear one to a prolonged battle; a wife or husband, a child, or a parent; a best friend. Such losses we have time to prepare for, but there is no preparing for what it might be like when they are actually gone.

The experience of loss, as captured in the quote above, is a void where we have no way of imagining the loved one as gone - in reality.

Here today, gone tomorrow.

That's about as clinical as our understanding gets. And whilst it is a relief for many to have said their goodbyes, there is always the anguish of missing these dear ones. With time and love we have access to healing, and best of all is the remembrance of their lives and the impact they made on us and others.

THE FINALITY OF DEATH

It seems so obvious to state that death is final, and we know no better truth throughout our lives than this, but experiencing death as a final and lasting phenomenon always shocks our human sensibility.

We can know that God is behind all creation and our existence by the fact that we are mortal; that there is nothing we can do about our living, breathing life spans.

When, for one of many reasons, we die, our deaths proclaim evidence of the Lord. Because our lives are given to us as gifts, and are taken away with just as much lack of control on our parts, our lives are given (and taken) by a Higher Power - God.

However long we live will not change one fact: we will never get used to the idea of death. It will continue to confound us, unless we, with God, accept the mysteries abounding in death. We need to surrender all our ill-feeling to our compassionate God.

THE 'WHY' OF GRIEF

Many people want to know why we experience grief.

It's because we are inherently emotional beings; thinking, feeling individuals with not only the capacity for love, but the eternal design to love. It's because of love that we grieve so much. If we were able to not love, the pain of grief could be overcome easily.

With an eternal design wired biologically into us (Ecclesiastes 3:11), we have no choice but to love, unless we would have our consciences seared, and that is no safe alternative.

We are 'condemned' to grieve because of love, but such a thing is not really a condemnation; love simply forces us to grow, and where we can't grow we can't belong to love. Remaining in fear is an inferior choice, but love requires courage; we can manage just one day at a time.

***

Many losses we cannot prepare for, even those losses connected with terminal illnesses. Grief, we see, is a product of love, and, because we can't help but love, we will grieve our losses terribly. But God is in this with us, growing us toward him in the healing.
© 2013 S. J. Wickham.
 

Steve Wickham is a Registered Safety Practitioner and holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. Steve writes at: http://epitemnein-epitomic.blogspot.com.au/ and http://tribework.blogspot.com.au/
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Wickham

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Who Should Consider Hospice Care?

By Aloysius Aucoin

Hospice can be an excellent choice in many situations. There are many times when this decision is hard for the family to make. Yet, when an individual is dealing with numerous medical conditions and is not able to maintain his or her health long term, it may be time to consider this type of scenario. It could provide you with the type of end of life experience you desire for yourself, too. As you consider the options available to you, consider who might find this type of location the ideal choice. It is a hard decision, but sometimes it is very much the best decision.

Does Your Loved One Need Help?

Often, there are situations in which a loved one may want to ensure that a family member's overall comfort is thought about. It can be hard to know if hospice is the right choice. There are some situations that can give you a clue that this may be a good idea, though. For example, have you noticed your loved one losing a lot of weight? This could be due to not eating. Some may find that they are very weak and cannot breathe well. Others have developed sores on their body that are painful and that will not heal well. These are all indications that your loved one needs supportive care.

Do You Need Help?

In some situations, you may want to consider your loved one's ability to care for you. You may be having trouble making it through the day. If you need help walking, eating, bathing and getting dressed, these professionals can help you with that so your family does not have to. They can help you with pain, too. If you are struggling and you need additional help, it may be a good idea to consider this type of care.

Providing Comfort

In some cases, patients are not willing or able to seek out any cure-oriented care for their condition. In these situations, the goal is to make a loved one comfortable instead. That's something that hospice can offer. They can help you to feel more comfortable during this time. Most often, these patients will not make it another six months, but during that time do not want or need to suffer from pain. This setting can provide the patient with the help he or she needs to get through this part of their life.

Making the decision to use hospice services is not easy. However, it is something you can do for your loved one or do for yourself. Make this decision carefully but don't put it off. This is the type of care you or your loved one may need right now.

Finding the right hospice kalamazoo for your family member is a wise and difficult decision to make. The professional and diligent staff at http://www.wingsofhopehospice.com will gladly run through the amenities provided.
 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Aloysius_Aucoin
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Pet Death - How to Help a Friend Cope With the Death of a Pet

By Barbara Cagle

Perhaps one of the most important things you can do is be sympathetic. Don not dismiss the grief a friend feels as something inconsequential. The loss of the loving companionship of a pet feels just as painful as the loss of another person.

It is often difficult for others who are not pet owners, or who have never lost a beloved pet to understand the grief someone feels when their companion dies. Personally, I have been a lover of dogs and cats since I was a child and I can tell you that the unconditional acceptance of such pets has no equal in my other personal relationships.

Look at the relationship between a pet and its owner as you would the relationship between a person and their best friend. Yes, pets quickly become our best friends.

When someone loses a pet they lose a friend. They lose the one being on earth that they can share their feelings with, talk to, without judgement or fear of having their feelings ridiculed or worse, shared with others.

The loss of a pet may mean loss of a companion who was an only contact. For many older people, a pet may be the only daily interaction they have. It is possible that, for some, the care of the pet is the only reason for getting up in the morning.

If you are not a pet owner this may be hard to understand. But we don't always have to understand why someone feels grief to show sympathy and support.

While it is common to suggest the person acquire a new pet, this suggestion should not be offered lightly. After all, how would you feel if you lost a close friend and some well-meaning person suggested you just go get a new friend?

A few years ago I lost my mother, 3 dogs, and a cat within 3 months of each other. Let me tell you, the grief I felt for the loss of the pets was just as great as I felt over losing my mom. The idea of getting another dog or cat would send me running for the nearest dark room for a full-blown crying session.

What made it even worse was that the dogs were all over 16 years old and one by one I had to take them to be put to sleep. This was a horrendous experience.

Eventually I did get another dog and I love him just as fiercely. He is not a replacement, as such, but a NEW friend to enrich my life. His personality is totally different from that of any dog I have had before.

When someone you know loses a pet, treat that loss as you would the loss of a person your friend cared deeply for. Offer your sympathy. Call to talk and encourage them to tell you how wonderful, silly, or faithful their pet was. Talking about those we have lost helps us heal.

In time your friend may begin to express a wish to get another pet, and if so, then you can help them talk through their feelings. Remind them that, just as with a lost loved one, their

pet cannot be replaced, but that a new pet may be able to fill the void the lost pet leaves behind.

Coping with the death of a friend's pet is something that we, as friends, should be ready to do, even if we do not have pets of our own. Be supportive, compassionate, and non-judgemental and you will help your friend cope with their loss and move on to a new relationship with another wonderful pet in the future.

I am Barbara Cagle. At My Grief Site you will find a portal to help you cope, find inspiration, and read stories that can help you cope with your loss. Take a peek at the one of the best kept secrets online since 2001. I am Cagleonline 'Cutting my own way...sharing the life I have grown since 2001.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Cagle
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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Is There An Afterlife? The Sacred "Secret" That Psychic Mediums Tell Us About Life After Life

By Danny Fredricks

What happens when we die? Do we go to heaven? What's it's like? And what about hell or negative planes? Is karma real, or do we all go to the same place, regardless of what we did while alive?

Any of these questions sound familiar? If you are anything like the millions of people who ask these very same questions every day, the truth is, you are obviously not alone. The ironic thing is, while there is much speculation, myth and religious doctrine and dogma about what happens when we die, the very BEST evidence for the existence of the afterlife may be available to each and every one of us right now.

How so?

Have you ever watched any of these new shows on the "near death experience" where people who are gravely sick or injured are resuscitated and brought back to life to recall an amazing and transcendently beautiful new world? Not only have these experiences been reported for thousands of years, they occur to roughly 1 out of every 6 or 7 people who have been brought back from beyond the brink of death. (and have been carefully documented since Dr. Raymond Moody's groundbreaking book "Life after Life" was published in 1975 detailing hundreds of stories he collected from critically ill patients around the world)

How does that relate to psychic mediums and what they tell us?

Very simply. Because most mediums describe the very same world that the near death experiencers report. A world filled with light and love. And a world where this IS judgement... but that judgement is usually done by YOU, about you. Where you FEEL the way you made others feel in life... and you get a chance to understand the true essence of karma, and how we are all created to connect, not conflict.

Most mediums will tell you that while being religious is a perfectly good path (and many mediums are) it's NOT about rules and rituals in the afterlife... and that all of us, regardless

of what we believed in life about god or holy books, go to a place that is reflective of our CONCIOUSNESS and awareness and our deeds. (not our dogma)
In an amazing irony?

It's the very SAME thing near death experiencers report... with most who have one reporting that they come back with more authentic and genuine spirituality and less reliance on organized religion and doctrine to determine what they do.

That's the very same message I've heard mediums report for well over a decade at this point... and if you want the same inspiration, the same enthusiasm for life, and the same inner knowing that you are HERE for a reason, it's information that's available to YOU, right now... when you're ready!

Danny Fredricks is a full time writer, publisher and seeker of psychic and spiritual experiences around the globe. He has reviewed, interviewed and documented his personal experiences with some of the most famous psychics, clairvoyants and mediums in the world... through thousands of published articles that have been read by almost 1 million readers.

Danny's currently reviews online psychic services HERE and contributes regular content on the most recent afterlife evidence for Psychic Source, on a weekly basis.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Danny_Fredricks
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7207443

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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Can a Soul Learn Lessons in the Afterlife?

The soul is multidimensional and simultaneously lives in many places or "mansions" as the Bible calls these realms. Even the part of the soul that is in the human body on Earth does not fit completely inside the body–it extends into the aura, which can be expanded indefinitely.

Upon the death of the human body, the more spiritually evolved aspect of the soul crosses into the light, which I believe is a portal into a higher dimension of consciousness. The vibration or frequency of that dimension is much higher than that of the Earth plane. Part of the soul that is "left behind" when the body dies is known as the astral body, which contains the memories of the life experiences it gained on Earth. These negative (low-vibrating) emotions and thoughts may get stuck in the Earth plane, and be seen as ghosts or apparitions. It may also fuel itself on the negative emotions, thoughts, and habits (such as substance abuse) of a human host through that person's astral field/body, to which it attaches itself. If the entity gains enough fuel or energy, it can begin to move objects or cause problems for other humans who may not even realize this is what is happening. The good news is that this negative aspect of the soul can still learn lessons, change its ways, and prepare for reincarnation while in this state of afterlife. If it achieves enough insight (positive energy that does not come from siphoning from humans) to raise its vibration or resonate at a higher frequency, it can move into higher dimensions and join with higher evolved aspects of itself. Many people are skilled in helping these Earthbound souls cross over.

My information comes from my personal experience with dis-incarnate spirits as well as from Ethan Vorly's work and The Spirit's Book by Allan Kardec. I hope that brings a little more clarity to this mystery of souls and the afterlife.
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You might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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What Death Can Teach Us About Life

By Dora Carpenter

Death should not be the end of your life. It should be the beginning of your "new" life. While working in the death care industry, I think I buried as many unfulfilled dreams as I buried bodies. I listened to countless families tell stories of unfulfilled wishes of their deceased loved ones. Stories of how the deceased always wanted to write a book, go fishing, climb a mountain, parasail, start a business, spend time with the grandchildren, work fewer hours, start a fitness program, travel the world, learn to play the piano, ski... the list goes on.

The death of a loved one naturally gives thought to our own mortality. Unfortunately, these thoughts are brief, lasting until we are back to our daily, usually rushed, routines of life. It is so often said that "life is short." What does that really mean? Try this experiment today. Ask at least ten people what does the statement, "Life is short" mean to them. In most cases, many will have to stop and think about it before they answer you.

We oftentimes spend a majority of our life getting ready to live our life; so, what does "living our life mean?" See how deep this can get if we keep going? So, let's talk about life. Here are three things that death can teach us about life:

• Life if precious, yet so fragile. We take so many of our life's situations and circumstances for granted. We assume that our newborn will be born healthy. We assume that our spouse, whom we argued with last night and didn't speak to this morning before leaving for work, will return home for dinner. We assume that our children will grow up to be well-respected professionals. It is usually the death of a loved one or close friend that heightens our sense of the fragility of life.
• Stop and smell the coffee. This saying we use often, but act upon rarely. When did you last sit or walk and marvel at the beauty of nature; notice the individual petals of a rose; stare into the waves of the ocean; experience and appreciate the innocent smile of a child; inhale and enjoy the aroma of a cup of coffee or tea; or, spend quality time with family and friends without cell phone and text interruptions?
• Find gratitude in everything. This is my favorite because, to me, this is really what life is all about. When we live a life of gratitude, you tend to find the positive in every situation. Find things each day to be grateful for. Keep a gratitude journal. When you greet each day with gratitude and love, and greet each person with gratitude and love (although sometimes not so easy to do), your perspective on life will change. This will also reduce many of the emotions felt when a loved one dies, especially guilt, regret, and anger.

An exercise for you: Think of something that you can do for someone else (no matter how small) in honor of your deceased loved one. One of the most effective ways to work through grief is to help someone else.

I sum it up with my mantra, my slogan: Everything in life is temporary, including life itself. Decide to Say Yes! to the gift of now.

Statistics show that it normally takes 5-8 years to recover from a devastating loss. Dora Carpenter, Certified Grief Coach, Certified Life Coach, and founder of The ANIYA Group Life Coaching Center, says it doesn't have to take that long. Her grief coaching practice offers hope, encouragement and support. In her book, "The Grief to Gratitude Blueprint... What to Do When Death Occurs," Dora gives tips on 24-72 hours following a death... and beyond. Download her book at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0098B86XU.

Read more about Dora at http://www.DoraCarpenter.com.

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For more information, you might enjoy reading my book, More Than Meets the Eye True Stories about Death, Dying, and Afterlife. Purchase paperback on Amazon.com. It's also on Amazon as an e-book for those who have Kindle or Sony Readers. The audio book is now available!
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