Final Arrangements

4 ❖ JUNE 2017 A R R A N G E M E N T S By Jennifer McFee for the Free Press T o honour the individuality of a loved one, an increasing number of families are opting to incorporate personalized urns or other keepsakes into their final arrangements. Douglas Maughan, vice-president of Cropo Funeral Chapel, estimates that approximately 60 per cent of urns feature some element of personalization. "People might have an urn engraved not only with the deceased's name but also maybe with a favourite quote or saying," he says. "Photographs or scenes can also be etched into the urn. In Manitoba, lake settings are always one of the favourites." Across the country, cremation continues to gain popularity. In Manitoba, Maughan estimates the rate to be between 60 and 70 per cent. At the same time, more people are thinking about unique ways to honour the personal remains of their loved one. "For individuals who are preplanning or for families that are planning at need, it comes down to the uniqueness and the personality of the individual who is being memorialized," he says. "They might ask themselves, 'Does the urn symbolize the life of the person that has passed away?' It's a very personal, individual choice." Urns come in countless creative styles, so it's becoming easier to include a personal touch. "It doesn't have to be the standard bell jar design or a wooden urn. There are many different selections in terms of personalization," Maughan says. "I recently saw a bowling pin being utilized as an urn. As another example, you could have a water fountain in the garden that is actually an urn, or even a wind chime or a clock." Some families are drawn to jewelry or other mementoes to remember their loved one. "We're seeing personalization keepsakes and memorial jewelry that can either have the loved ones' cremated remains or a fingerprint or thumbprint," Maughan says. "That is becoming a more common request." Kevin McKay, owner of Bayshore Gifts in Glass at The Forks, has seen firsthand the demand for personalized options. A glass blower for 38 years, McKay started incorporating ashes into some of his designs about four years ago. "There's not many people in North America who do this. I've got two other staff members that make the pieces as well. Basically, we can mix ashes in anything up to a certain size. We don't need much — probably a quarter of a tablespoon would be more than enough to do most pieces," he says. "Everyone has their own ideas and their own colour scheme, so we try and work with them. Usually, I make a piece without the ashes first and show it to them. If they like the design, then we go ahead and make something similar mixed with ashes so they will actually get what they want." As an example, he recently created a URNS, JEWELRY PROVIDE PERSONALIZED TOUCH More and more people thinking of unique ways to honour loved ones Everyone has their own ideas and their own colour scheme, so we try and work with them. Usually, I make a piece without the ashes first and show it to them. If they like the design, then we go ahead and make something similar mixed with ashes so they will actually get what they want." - Kevin McKay, Bayshore Gifts in Glass

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