In February, I attended CANA’s 2024 Symposium focusing on green practices. There were several presenters and vendors who provided information and products covering embalming, green burial, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction. Everyone brought their best attitudes and willingness to learn about new ways to consider how we serve our families.

As the presentations continued, it was clear that many people in the room had strong preferences and could argue clearly on behalf of the methods they preferred. It occurred to me while listening to these discussions that we have to have something to be against in order to have something that we support.

Now, isn’t that the truth for humanity throughout our collective experience? In every story there is a bad guy and a good guy. A right way and a wrong way. This is how countries, political parties, religious denominations, cults, and, even, sports teams gain their followers. We’re number one and everyone else is a loser.

In the 60’s Jessica Mitford was the objective of our collective anger. In her book The American Way of Death, she pulled the curtain back on the practices of the day. Some of her assumptions and accusations were inflated and unfair. Some of her statements were correct and on point. This exposé that outlined many problematic business practices drew the attention of the FTC and funeral service was put on notice that someone was watching. So, then we had a second point of pain and an enemy that we could all agree on. That meddling FTC that makes our lives so difficult.

And then, along came cremation. Now this was something threatening that we could all rally against. What do you mean that you do not want to embalm the body, buy a casket and a vault and a burial plot? This is what we do. This is our entire business model. This is how we survive.

So, for another two decades (and, for some much longer) many funeral professionals were less than engaged with the cremation family. The famous professional shrug and eye roll as we referred to the request as “just a cremation.” We hid the urns in a closet and only brought them out when we had to. As cremation continued to increase and it became clear that it was going nowhere, many funeral professionals learned to embrace and adapt and have successful businesses serving the cremation customer. But, if you listen closely when a group of funeral directors get together, there is still that collective sigh as they remember the good ol’ days.

Just as we thought that we had figured out how to sleep with that enemy, along came green burial. “What? What kind of hippy dippy, tree hugging stuff is this? ”And, of course, Jewish and Islamic families all over the country gently reminded us that they have been honoring their dead in this manner for 2000 years.

And this is when the enemies became divided. For those who were promoting and encouraging the natural disposition choices, formaldehyde and caskets and fuel-based cremation became the enemy. Bad for the environment. Bad for practitioners. Bad for the land.

For those whose business practices relied on embalming or cremation, green burial became a threat to their established models and frustrating in the limitations of offering options.  “Sure, I am happy to support a family’s wishes, but how do I find a cemetery that accepts natural burial? Or dealing with green-identified cemeteries that won’t allow burial of an embalmed body which means that families cannot be buried together? And what does green burial mean? A wicker casket? A shroud? Formaldehyde-free embalming? So confusing. Perhaps we can just ignore it and hope it goes away.”

In the last decade, the landscape has gotten even more crowded with the introduction of alkaline hydrolysis focusing on the enemy: flame-based cremation. So much better to utilize water and sodium hydroxide and not pollute the air or use large quantities of fuel. At this writing, twenty states have legalized it, indicating a lag in professional support and urgency for making this available for families who would like to have that choice. Why create yet something else that we must deal with?

And then, in 2019, natural organic reduction came on the scene. You could feel the collective gasp all over the country. “What? Another option? Turning bodies into soil? A truck load of remains? Are you kidding me?" At this writing, nine states have legalized this process and much of the pushback has come from religious and funeral professionals. “We’ve never done it this way before and it just doesn’t feel right. ”The best way to bring folks together is to give them a really good enemy.

Personally, I am a fan of all of the above. I have had the privilege of working with such talented and dedicated professionals in all of these fields – embalming, cremation, green/natural, alkaline hydrolysis, and natural organic reduction.

I am completely convinced that their life’s work has been focused on serving families in dignified and honoring ways and of supporting a funeral practice that serves the community.

My question is – Why does anything have to be the enemy? Why have we been so resistant to accepting and enthusiastically embracing ALL of the options? Why must one thing be bad in order for our preference to be good? Clearly each method has pros and cons that must be considered, but there is no one method that owns all the pros nor one that is inherently bad.

Why can’t we open up those doors and become proficient and conversant in every option that is allowed in our states? Why are we not having full and informative conversations with professionals, law makers, religious and lay communities as we consider what it means to take care of a person’s final disposition and honoring those wishes? What message are we sending to families who are seeking the best alternative that fits them and their lifestyles and convictions when we refuse to be the professional experts in all the ways we take care of bodies?

Perhaps it is time to put down our We’re Number One foam finger and consider ourselves part of the death care team with everyone pulling in the same direction. Perhaps the best way to bring everyone together is not to create an enemy but to create a vision of progressive inclusion and expansive imagination. In that scenario, no one has to be the enemy. Everyone can be the good guy.

The loss of talent is one of the biggest challenges organizations face. In a competitive job market, managers can help ensure stability by intentionally creating a culture that people will be more likely to stay in. And, contrary to what is often assumed, it does not have to cost a lot of money.

Here are 10 ways managers can create a culture people will want to join and thrive in: 

Denise Reid and Martha Webb-Jones provide consultation on Human Resources policies and processes through Raven Plume Consulting. The mission of Raven Plume is to change the way people think about funeral service by sharing knowledge and expertise with funeral home and crematory professionals, clients, and the public.

With Cremation Strategies & Consulting, part of Raven Plume Consulting, you can get a discount in developing your SOP Manual and reduce liability, improve employee training, and ensure operations are done correctly, efficiently, and consistently. Available free to CANA Members, the Crematory Management Program provides step-by-step instructions to build a Standard Operating Procedures Manual with the help of experts. Not a member? Learn more about why CANA keeps growing!

It’s no secret that consumers’ increasing preference for cremation is impacting the traditional funeral home business model. Because cremation services generally produce lower revenue, many funeral home owners are expanding their product and service offerings. Others are discovering ways to serve the needs of new groups within their communities.

As reported in IBISWorld industry research and echoed in the NFDA’s 2023 Cremation & Burial Report, “It is predicted that funeral homes will continue to expand their array of extra services offered to families; increase their focus on niche markets to differentiate themselves; and draw attention to their value-added services, such as … serving groups with diverse cultural and religious preferences.”

Cultural differences play a significant role in funeral practices and the better we understand the religious and cultural diversity of our communities, the greater our opportunity to serve those groups. Ask yourself three questions:

1. What is the religious and cultural makeup of my community?
2. Am I proactively reaching out to diverse groups?  
3. What am I doing to better understand and accommodate unique funeral customs and rituals in my area?
   

In Orange County California, for example, our team at The Omega Society was contacted by a writer for Orange Network, the monthly magazine of the Orange County Japanese American Association. She was writing a story to inform and educate the local Japanese American community to the range of funeral, cremation and burial options available from the Society. Southern California has the largest Japanese American population in North America, and many adhere to the beliefs of the Shinto faith. She told us that in Shintoism, terminal illness, dying and death are considered “impure,” making frank discussions of death and dying very difficult and even taboo. The result is a population with insufficient knowledge of end-of-life care and local resources available to assist them when the need arises. Our Omega Society location leader met with this writer for a tour of our facility and a wide-ranging discussion that included cremation options, costs, the advantages of prepayment, and options for the disposition of cremated remains. The resulting article did a great deal to shed light on this important subject and positioned The Omega Society as a caring local partner with professionals ready to assist the Japanese American community with all their funeral service needs.

This is just one example of funeral professionals who are filling unmet community needs and finding new markets among diverse cultural and religious communities.

Located 20 miles southeast of downtown Portland, the city of Happy Valley is one of the most diverse communities in Oregon, including an Asian population of more than 22 percent. Our Sunnyside Funeral, Cremation and Memorial Gardens has worked with local Buddhist temples to serve this community for more than 60 years. Buddhists believe that the soul is reincarnated; death is not the end, so it is not to be dreaded. Most Buddhist societies cremate their dead to purify and free the soul, and aid in the attainment of enlightenment -- just as The Buddha himself was cremated.

“Although funeral services can vary by sect of Buddhism, all are beautiful, meaningful celebrations in which family members participate over a two-day period,” said Sunnyside General Manager Samantha Haxton. “Common elements include an invocation to the Buddha, offerings of food and flowers, readings from Buddhist scriptures and a procession of monks. The body of the deceased is transported to our crematory on the second day, where final chanting and praying proceed cremation. Some of our Buddhist families choose to permanently memorialize their loved ones by interring their cremated remains at their temple and many are placed at our Sunnyside Memorial Garden near a large statue of Buddha.”

The shift in ethnicities and increasingly diverse funeral traditions across the United States will only accelerate in the years ahead. As funeral professionals, it’s our job to learn about and appreciate the different cultures and religions present in our communities. We need to make ourselves seen in these communities and let families know we are available and ready to serve them in keeping with their unique customs and rituals surrounding death and mourning. Do your research, build relationships and provide support to all segments of your changing community. Differentiating your funeral home by understanding and accommodating all types of funerals will help you remain a trusted service leader for years to come.

Many of us now spend a huge segment of every day engaging with the world online. As we conduct business—paying invoices, registering for continuing education, renewing subscriptions and memberships—we expect our experience to be as hassle-free and user-friendly as possible.

Want to catch up on The Cremationist or download what you need to write your SOP manual? Start by logging in to the Member Portal. From there, find the page you want in the Member Resources dropdown. Each one will take you to a page with information, resources, archives, and more!

There’s a story about a Stanford business class who was given the assignment of making the greatest ROI possible on $5 in two hours, at the end of which they would make a half-hour presentation to the rest of the class. Most students tried to buy something for $5 and sell it for a little more within the two hours, making a small return. Others recognized that the $5 was really a distraction and spent their time conducting services like filling bike tires for $1 around campus. They were more successful. But the most successful group recognized that their most valuable asset was neither the $5 nor the two hours. It was the opportunity to present in front of a room of Stanford MBA students, which they sold to a local employer for hundreds of dollars – racking up a return in the thousands of percent.
The point is, don’t get distracted. And definitely don’t get distracted by a dollar figure when you’re considering what you have to sell that’s of value.

I’ve met funeral home owners by the score who shake their heads in frustration and say something to the effect of, “Boy, did we step in it when we positioned cremation as an alternative to the funeral. (And to memorialization, and to ceremony, and to engagement with the funeral home…).” And they’re right. But the good news is, that’s not a mistake we’re stuck with. The trick is not to get distracted. Don’t get distracted by what a family thinks they want to pay. Don’t get distracted by the phrase “direct cremation.” Don’t get distracted by conceptions of yourself as a disposal solution. Don’t get distracted.

The entire concept of “direct cremation” and asking for it as an escape route from your normal offerings is not new. Jessica Mitford was encouraging her disciples to demand it 60 years ago. But there’s some encouraging data that suggests we can still stem the tide.

My firm has conducted more than a million dollars’ worth of research on consumer preferences on death care in the past few years. One of my favorite data points deals with expected costs of death care services. We’ve asked a huge, statistically representative sample of Americans what they would expect to pay for two things: a funeral with a burial, and a funeral with cremation. We can then average all the responses to get a sense of the general perception of cost. When you do this multiple times, in multiple decades, you get to watch how preferences evolve.

Over the past ten years, the answer to the “burial” question has remained exactly the same, when adjusted for inflation, to the dollar. Remarkably, the average American expects a funeral-with-burial to cost exactly what they did a decade ago. But over that same period, Americans’ perception of the cost of a cremation has significantly outpaced inflation. In other words, the gap is closing. And we can expect it to keep closing. Because it was never really about cost.

Americans’ preference for cremation is decreasingly tethered to cost. As with other low-frequency purchase decisions, like houses or cars, cost is simply all we know to ask about. We buy vegetables all the time, and therefore understand to make decisions on cost, but also on freshness, quality, organic, and so on. But we don’t plan funerals often enough to have those reference points, so we revert to the first thing we can think of. That’s why most Americans say the first question they ask if planning a funeral is how much it will cost, but only a tiny percentage of Americans say the cost is the worst thing about the funeral. The $5 is only a distraction. Don’t fall for it.

Here's another key statistic: only 14% of Americans agree with the statement that, “with cremation there’s no need for a funeral, memorial service, or other form of life celebration.” Fourteen percent! To hear your average funeral pro tell it, it’s at least 50. But only one in seven Americans really sees cremation as a “way out” of the ceremony. Now, more than that, one in seven might not want their local funeral home to have anything to do with the ceremony, which is a value hurdle you need to clear. And more from there might not ever get around to dealing with Aunt Maude’s ashes, which is where your experience and leadership come into play. But it’s vital to recognize the distinction: direct cremation isn’t really what most people want. Not even close.

When Apple launched the iPhone, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer literally laughed at them for the price tag: “…That is the most expensive phone in the world. And it doesn’t appeal to business customers because it doesn’t have a keyboard.” Ballmer failed to recognize that while the prevailing strategy of the time was to sell phones business-down, Apple flipped the model on its head by going consumer-up. Today, there’s no distinction between your “work phone” and the phone you use to scroll social media. Not only did Apple give us that customer-centric innovation, they charged a premium for it.

Funeral homes and cremationists would do well to remember that message: when you give the consumer what they’re asking for, you’re providing more value and can charge more, not less. In fact, that’s a pretty solid litmus test for whether you’re actually providing value as a business. Grocery stores discount the stuff they can’t sell otherwise. Department stores discount last season’s styles. If you’re giving your customers a discount, it’s an admission that what you’re selling isn’t really the valuable thing. And they know it.

So, quit being distracted. In the death care space, your disposition services are the equivalent of the Stanford students’ $5. Making money off of it is enticing, and makes logical sense, but if you step back and take stock of the situation, you might notice you have much more valuable assets than that five-dollar bill. You have a market who doesn’t understand grief, who is hurting, afraid, and burdened, and they’re walking into your business. And you know exactly what they need to heal and how to help their community do the same. It doesn’t take a Stanford MBA to notice that’s worth a lot more than a few hours’ rental of your retort.

Imagine stepping into a room filled with forward-thinking professionals eager to explore new, sustainable, and environmentally friendly options in the deathcare profession. The "Thinking Green" CANA Cremation Symposium in February promises innovation, where attendees can learn more about investing in fresh offerings, concepts, and services for their businesses. It's an exciting prospect, and the possibilities are endless.
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But here's the truth: having new, groundbreaking products or services in your arsenal is only half the battle. Without a well-equipped and effective sales force, those remarkable offerings risk becoming nothing more than dust-covered inventory and untapped potential.

In 2022, a certain cemetery (whose name we'll leave out of this narrative) made a noteworthy change. They observed that their top-selling urn vault was, for lack of a better word, underwhelming. It was a plastic, felt-lined, and barely-protective product, yet it was flying off the shelves, and understandably so – it came with an enticingly low price tag.

In response, the cemetery decided to remove this particular urn vault from their price list entirely. They left it to the sales and service team to offer the product only in situations that warranted it, rather than featuring it in literature. It seemed like a logical step towards promoting higher-quality, more protective offerings, and a brief memo was electronically sent to the sales team to let them know that the product would no longer be found in their price book. In addition, samples of the superior vaults were added to each display unit. However, there was a critical piece missing from this equation: thorough communication and sales training. The cemetery failed to inform its sales force about WHY this change was happening and failed to equip them with the necessary tools to effectively sell these higher-quality, higher-priced alternatives.
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Fast forward to 2023, and the results were all too familiar. That low-cost urn vault, the same one that had been deemed insufficient in 2022, continued to reign supreme. Not a single additional unit of the superior, higher-priced urn vaults had been sold in 2023. The cemetery's well-intentioned change had gone unnoticed by the sales team, and the status quo remained unchanged.

The lesson was clear: nothing sells itself. Even when you have cutting-edge, eco-friendly, high-quality, and innovative products or services, you need a team that can effectively convey their value to your customers. As humans, we tend to gravitate towards what we know, what's comfortable, and what requires the least effort. In the absence of a compelling sales strategy, the default option often wins, regardless of its true worth. And contrary to popular belief, yes, salespeople are humans (insert chuckle here).

As we look forward to the "Thinking Green" CANA Cremation Symposium, where innovative and sustainable deathcare options take center stage, let's not forget the pivotal role that a comprehensive sales program plays. A well-equipped sales force is the linchpin that transforms remarkable products and services into tangible solutions for your clients.

Mark your calendars for my session at the Symposium, titled "Growing Sales: Selling with Sensitivity," scheduled for Thursday, February 15th at 8:30am. In this transformative session, we will explore an approach that seamlessly aligns sales ambitions with genuine concerns for families. Join us to discover how empathy, service, and connection can elevate your sales strategy and empower your team to present and sell innovative offerings effectively.
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In the world of deathcare, where innovation and sustainability take center stage, remember that nothing sells itself. It takes a dedicated and skilled sales force to showcase the true value of your offerings. Equip your team with the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to present these innovations persuasively.

In the fast-paced and ever-evolving landscape of leadership, the ability to thrive under stress is a hallmark of effective leaders. Understanding our own tendencies is a crucial first step. Leaders who are self-aware can better comprehend how their actions impact others, fostering a culture of empathy within the team.

A key element in navigating stress is providing a balanced combination of support and challenge. This equilibrium liberates the team, encouraging them to push boundaries and reach their full potential. Leaders who master this delicate dance create an environment where innovation and growth flourish.

The distinction between influence and power is critical for leaders striving under stress. While power relies on authority and control, influence is built on trust, respect, and collaboration. Choosing influence over positional power fosters a positive team dynamic, where each member feels valued and empowered to contribute their best.

Intentionality in team development is a strategic move that pays dividends. By investing time and resources into cultivating the skills and strengths of each team member, leaders unlock untapped capacity. This not only enhances the overall effectiveness of the team but also enables achieving more with the same resources.
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Leaders who thrive under stress are those who embrace self-awareness, balance support and challenge, wield influence judiciously, and invest in intentional team development. This multifaceted approach not only fortifies a leader's ability to weather storms but also propels their team to unprecedented heights of success. After all, true leadership isn't just about managing under pressure but thriving and enabling others to thrive as well.

Marketing flame cremation to an ecologically-conscious audience presents a unique set of challenges. These individuals are often deeply concerned about their environmental impact, and flame cremation can seem at odds with these values. However, with thoughtful strategies and a nuanced understanding of both the process and the clients’ concerns, it is possible to address these challenges ethically and effectively.

At CANA's 2024 Symposium I’ll be presenting “Create a Brand for People ‘Thinking Green’” to help providers discover the ins and outs of how our two-location family-owned funeral home launched a distinct funeral service brand dedicated to sustainability.
We’ll explore how this approach can not only create moral continuity for environmentally-minded families but empower all families with choice. We’ll explore ways to ensure your organization is acting with ethical integrity and avoids being accused of the dreaded “greenwashing”.

​We’ll also delve into language that speaks to a new generation who are likely unchurched and distrusting of the funeral industry. In the talk you’ll learn practical steps to position yourself in a way that earns genuine authority and attention in your marketplace.
Today we’re going to dive into the marketing challenges facing cremation providers and ways to communicate value to an audience that may be pushing back against cremation.

1. UNDERSTAND YOUR ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT PERCEPTION
The primary challenge is the perception of the environmental impact of flame cremation. The existing impression is that traditional flame cremation is energy-intensive and releases carbon emissions, along with other pollutants. This can be a significant deterrent for those who prioritize ecological sustainability. It’s important to understand that some objections cannot be overcome, and that’s okay. Flame cremation does not have to be the answer for everyone. It is important to focus your communication toward people who will likely be receptive to it.
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2. EDUCATE THE AUDIENCE
Many eco-conscious individuals may not be aware of the advancements in flame cremation technology that reduce its environmental impact. If your crematory includes more efficient operating processes, filtration systems to minimize emissions, or heat recapture systems, communicating these advancements clearly and transparently is essential.

3. BALANCE TRADITION WITH SUSTAINABILITY
For some, flame cremation is a traditional or cultural preference. Marketers need to respect these traditions while promoting more sustainable practices. This involves finding a balance between honoring cultural values and advocating for environmentally friendly alternatives or improvements. We never want to throw one form of disposition under the bus, because it is entirely possible that form of disposition was previously chosen by your audience, and you don’t want to make them feel uncomfortable or guilty for past choices.

4. HIGHLIGHT POSITIVE ASPECTS
While flame cremation does have environmental impacts, it can be more sustainable than other options in certain contexts. For example, it requires less land space and maintenance compared to traditional burial, which can be an important consideration in land-scarce areas. There are also ecological impacts which are often overlooked, such as the raw materials sourced and consumed to produce embalming fluid, caskets, and vaults, and well as the fuel and resources necessary to transport these items, some of which can weigh upward of 3,000 pounds.

5. OFFER ALTERNATIVES
Providing information about alternative options such as green burial or water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis) can be beneficial. While these alternatives may not be your primary service provided, offering them though partner providers shows a commitment to ecological values and provides choices for the people you serve. Providing access to natural organic reduction where permitted, or at least being prepared to provide factual, unbiased information about it, can also impart the willingness of your organization to discuss all disposition options, even if you don’t directly provide them all.

6. CREATE A MORE SUSTAINABLE COMPANY
The overall brand image of the cremation service provider needs to reflect a genuine commitment to sustainability. This can be achieved through various means, such as using renewable energy sources in facilities, adopting eco-friendly office practices, participating in recycling programs, and engaging in community environmental initiatives. After reducing emissions as much as possible, the remaining emissions could be offset by investing in carbon offset projects. These projects might include reforestation, renewable energy projects, or community-based sustainability projects that can compensate, or partially compensate for the company’s emissions.

7. BUILD TRUST THROUGH TRANSPARENCY
Being transparent about the environmental impacts and what is being done to mitigate them is crucial. Eco-conscious consumers value honesty and are more likely to engage with brands that acknowledge the complexities of their services in relation to the environment rather than pretending the complexities don’t exist.

8. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EDUCATION
Engaging with your community about death care and sustainability through educational campaigns and discussions on your blog or social media channels can help build a relationship with the eco-conscious audience. This also provides a platform to discuss the innovations and environmental aspects of flame cremation. Awareness and education can happen across digital platforms, but the most valuable place to start is in your own website.

9. MAKE YOUR WEBSITE IS YOUR FIRST IMPRESSION
The biggest marketing mistake death care providers make is taking a set-it-and-forget-it approach to their website. Consumers are absolutely researching online before they make decisions, so it’s important to constantly be posing the questions; does my website accurately represent my company today, and is my website relevant to the needs of the people I’m trying to reach?

10. ADDRESS EMOTIONAL CONCERNS
Finally, marketers in the death care space must always be sensitive to the emotional aspects of end-of-life services. This involves ensuring that marketing messages are respectful, honest, compassionate, and in tune with the emotional journey of someone considering a cremation option.
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 By addressing these challenges head-on and with sensitivity, marketers can effectively communicate with an ecologically-conscious audience, providing them with the information and options they need to make informed decisions that align with their values.

People are celebrated for accomplishments in a variety of fields, for making a lasting difference, and sometimes just for having that "je ne sais quoi" that sets them apart. But when it comes to remembering someone, celebrity or not, we focus on creating an experience as special and unique as they were.

In this year's post, we see how memorialization can be candlelit and private or explosive and out-of-this-world. Each experience is as unique as the life lived when it's carefully designed to commemorate what made that person important. Taking time to craft a memorial and to remember the people we care about allows us to keep them close just a while longer and demonstrate what they meant to us. After all: "The dead can survive as part of the lives of those that still live." - Kenzaburō Ōe (1935-2023)
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Celebrity entries appear in alphabetical order. Read to the end to see a special tribute to a mom from her sons on Mother's Day and discover how a pair of determined historians brought a Miracle to Santa Monica Boulevard.

DECEMBER 14, 1946 – JULY 16, 2023

​Jane Mallory Birkin, OBE was a French and British actress and singer, whose controversial collaboration with Serge Gainsbourg in 1969 on the song “Je t’aime…moi non plus” catapulted her into fame and jumpstarted her career. Birkin appeared in such films as Evil Under the Sun (1982), Blow-Up (1966), and Death on the Nile (1978). In 1983 she was seated next to Hermès chief executive on a plane, and after complaining she couldn’t find a bag that suited her needs, Hermès created the now iconic leather “Birkin bag” the next year. In addition to her career as an entertainer, Birkin was also a social activist her entire life – even when it came to her namesake – and donated the royalties she received from Hermès every year to charity.

Fans lined the streets outside of Saint-Roch Church to pay their respects, and Birkin’s funeral ceremony was screened for them while friends and family attended inside. Birkin’s daughters carried their mother’s casket on their shoulders while her song “Fuir le bonheur de peur qu’il ne se sauve” (“Running away from happiness lest it run away”) played. During the ceremony, Birkin’s daughter, Charlotte Gainsbourg, reflected "I see all your souls in pain without her. I can already see the void she has left in us. She is my mother, she is our mother." Birkin’s cremated remains were taken to Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris, the same cemetery in which her daughter, Kate Barry, and ex-husband, Serge Gainsbourg, are also buried.

​2010 - NOVEMBER 28, 2023

​Doug was adopted by the founder of the popular social media account WeRateDogs, Matt Nelson. Already 10 years old and suffering health and behavioral issues, Doug would have been euthanized in a shelter. Instead, he was named the CEO of the 15/10 Foundation – an organization inspired by his own story in an effort to assist dogs like him who are less likely to get adopted due to the cost of veterinary care or other unique needs.

Doug earned the #1 spot in the December 1st episode of WeRateDog’s “Top 5 Dogs of the Week” after the aging canine communicated to Nelson that it was time to go. When asked if Doug should have a communal or individual pet cremation, the response was immediate: "if you didn't know, Doug HATES other dogs... He'd be so [expletive: angry] if he had to share a furnace." Despite how he reacted to other dogs, inspiring a Foundation that helps the good boys and girls that need more care to find forever homes ensures Doug's legacy will live on. In the 15/10 Foundation's farewell post, they encourage everyone: "If you ever have the opportunity to adopt a senior dog, do it. The grief is never-ending, but so is the love."

MARCH 1, 1941 – JUNE 9, 2023

​Dr. Michael Logan Lampton, the first rocket scientist employed by University of California, Berkeley, worked for 54 years designing space optics and collaborating with NASA to train others on how to perform research experiments in space. In 1985 Lampton started his own software firm, Stellar Software, which sold the optical ray tracing software he developed when working with NASA. In 2015, the doctor decided to make this software free for anyone to download and use as a way of thanking the community for their many years of support.

Although there were plans for Michael to make a space flight, a variety of events prevented him from doing so during his lifetime. A celebration of life was held for him at UC Berkeley in August, and a portion of his cremated remains will be sent into space in late December, along with those of 233 others. They will be attached to a satellite’s cargo bay, where they will go on to make infinite loops around the sun, allowing Michael Lampton to travel through space for eternity.

​APRIL 9, 1931 – MAY 28, 2023

Highly regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of magic, Milt Larsen co-founded The Magic Castle with his brother Bill in 1963 and served as President until his death in May 2023. The Magic Castle has become an iconic, world-renowned private club for magicians and fans alike. Prior to opening The Castle, Larsen worked as a writer for audience participation shows like Truth or Consequences. It was while working on this show that Larsen spotted the building that would become The Magic Castle from his office window. The club became so beloved by the magic community that Dai Vernon, 1968 Magician of the Year, was rumored to have had his cremated remains interred on a shelf at the castle for some time after his death.
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A public memorial, complete with magic and live music performances, was held at Los Angeles’s Wilshire Ebell Theatre in July, the same theatre where Larsen launched his first magic show, It’s Magic!, in 1956. The show is still running today. In September, Arlene, Larsen’s wife of 34 years, ensured he got the farewell he’d always wanted. Around 100 of Milt’s family and friends held a Viking funeral for him, an appropriately-sized sendoff for a larger-than-life personality. Milt’s cremated remains were contained in an urn made of sugar (to better dissolve in the ocean) and placed on a longboat that was then exploded to cheers from the watchers 500 feet away on the California shore. Afterwards, Arlene held a “Knowing and Loving Milt” celebration at the Magic Castle Cabaret.

DECEMBER 25, 1957 – NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Shane Patrick Lysaght MacGowan was a British-born Irish punk musician who founded The Pogues, the famed band that infused punk with traditional Irish music, in 1982. The Pogues released four albums before ultimately letting MacGowan go in 1991 due to the many issues caused by his severe substance use disorders. The band officially reunited in 2006 and would go on to sell out live tour runs through 2009. Their most well-known song – “Fairytale of New York” – achieved quintuple platinum in 2022.
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Fans, friends, and family gathered to participate in MacGowan’s funeral procession despite the fact that, as his wife Victoria Mary Clarke said, “Shane hated funerals and he refused to go to them with a few rare exceptions. So it’s incredible to think that so many people want to come to his.” A variety of beloved musicians from Nick Cave to Glen Hansard performed their own moving renditions of MacGowan’s songs while a horse-drawn carriage carried his coffin through the streets of County Tipperary, Ireland, where MacGowan lived as a child. After the funeral, MacGowan was cremated and his remains were scattered over the “The Broad Majestic Shannon” River, which appeared in a song on The Pogues’ third album.

JANUARY 31, 1935 – MARCH 3, 2023

​Critically acclaimed author Kenzaburō Ōe began gathering accolades for his writing when he was still a college student. He won the Akutagawa Prize in 1958 for a short story he wrote while studying French at The University of Tokyo, and the awards continued mounting throughout his life. A lifelong activist and father of three, Ōe’s works were heavily influenced both by the sociopolitical issues of his time and by his eldest son, Hikari, who was born with a herniated brain. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1994 for being a writer “who, with poetic force, creates an imagined world, where life and myth condense to form a disconcerting picture of the human predicament today”.Ōe’s family held a private funeral in March. In September, close to 300 people gathered for a public memorial to honor the literary giant who influenced so many. Music composed by his son Hikari was played and participants were encouraged to pay tribute with flowers. As a journalist, Ōe met with hibakusha (atomic-bomb survivors). Along with his son’s birth condition, these experiences contributed to his unique perspective of hope and despair:

AUGUST 27, 1952 – JULY 30, 2023
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Paul Reubens (born Rubenfeld) was an actor and comedian most widely known for his iconic character Pee-wee Herman. Reubens successfully debuted the character in a stage show in 1981, but he didn’t garner international fame until the release of Tim Burton’s film Pee-wee’s Big Adventure in 1985. The following year, CBS launched the Saturday morning program Pee-wee’s Playhouse, which earned 12 Emmy awards over five years.
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Reubens had chosen to keep his cancer diagnosis private and only released a statement after his death: “Please accept my apology for not going public with what I've been facing the last six years. I have always felt a huge amount of love and respect from my friends, fans and supporters. I have loved you all so much and enjoyed making art for you.” A celebration of life was held for Reubens on what would have been his 71st birthday: August 27, 2023. Over 350 of his friends and family and fellow comedic stars showed up to share stories and songs. Guests were asked to sign postcards instead of a guest book and were offered a chance to interact with some of Reubens’ memorabilia. It was a very fitting tribute to such a whimsical and colorful personality. Reubens urn was interred at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where his legacy continues to bring laughter and joy during film screenings of his 1985 cult classic.

JULY 30, 1940 – MAY 13, 2023

Heralded as a trailblazer for women’s rights, Patricia Nell Scott Schroeder became the first woman elected to represent Colorado in Congress in 1972. She would go on to retain her seat in 11 subsequent elections before stepping down in 1997. Schroeder’s most recognized achievement was enacting The Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993, ensuring that Americans can take unpaid leave from work for qualified medical and family reasons. After leaving Congress she became a professor at Princeton and continued working in politics, mentoring candidates, and pursuing her lifelong advocacy for women by campaigning for Hilary Clinton in 2016, amongst other female politicians.

The House of Representatives held a moment of silence for Schroeder on March 22, 2023 – the anniversary of the day Congress passed the Equal Rights Amendment process for states ratification in 1972, which Schroeder championed. In April, over 200 of Pat’s colleagues and friends attended a public memorial for her in Denver to remember her legacy. In an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered, Schroeder said “I always wanted to be cremated and made into a doorstop so I could hold a door open because basically what I want to do is hold doors open for people. And I figured that's what I was trying to do in my political career. So why not try and do it in the afterlife, too?”. Instead, Schroeder’s legislative legacy continues to prop up people in need, but her urn is among her peers at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Tina Turner embodied the definition of a “rock star” – eventually being dubbed the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll. She started her career performing as a duo with her ex-husband, Ike Turner, in 1958. They disbanded in 1976, and Tina released her now iconic solo album What’s Love Got to Do with It in 1984 to critical acclaim. Tina would go onto become one of the best-selling recording artists of all time, acquiring 12 Grammys and list of honors and accolades much too long to detail here. She was a powerhouse performer on stage and also appeared in several documentaries and films, including the 1993 film based on her life.
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Per her wishes, details around Tina’s memorial have been largely kept private and her final resting place somewhere near and dear to her heart. Those closest to her held a memorial in Switzerland, where Turner had been residing with her husband Erwin Bach since 2013. Fans paid tribute to the artist with so many flowers lining her Swiss estate that the gates were opened to allow for everyone to be able to pay their respects. Her hometown of Brownsville, Tennessee, saw a surge of visitors after her death, and the Tina Turner Museum hosted its own twilight memorial to acknowledge what her life and work meant to so many.

SEPTEMBER 26, 1877 - SEPTEMBER 6, 1959
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Despite a career that pre-dates talking pictures, Edmund Gwenn was praised for his understanding of the medium. After entering Hollywood in 1935, he was a sought-after star of stage and screen, appearing beside Laurence Olivier in Pride and Prejudice, playing a would-be assassin in Alfred Hitchcock’s Foreign Correspondent, and portraying Santa Claus in Miracle on 34th Street, for which he won the Academy Award.

After his death in 1959, his cremated remains were placed in an engraved bronze urn that was then mislaid for 64 years. The persistence of Arthur Dark, producer and host of “The Hollywood Graveyard” and Jessica Wahl, Hollywood historian, led to the recovery of his urn in March 2023 as they cataloged the vaults of the Chapel of the Pines where he was cremated. The pair organized a GoFundMe campaign to purchase a permanent place for Gwenn at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, which reached its goal in just 24 hours. On December 3, Gwenn was inurned and celebrated at the Cathedral Mausoleum before a standing-room only crowd—some in Santa hats to commemorate one of his most beloved roles.
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Read the full story of this journey to find Edmund Gwenn in "On the Road: Los Angeles A Christmas Miracle" published by CANA Member Kates-Boylston Publications in American Cemetery & Cremation, with thanks to them for letting us share this incredible discovery.

MAY 25, 1969 - AUGUST 11, 2022

​Anne Celeste Heche got her break when, at just 18 years old, she was offered a dual role in the long-running NBC soap opera Another World, for which she later won an Emmy. Her acting career spanned decades and included Donnie Brasco, Volcano, Six Days Seven Nights and John Q, before being tragically cut short when she died at the age of 53.
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Nine months after her death, Heche's sons decided to place her urn in Hollywood Forever Cemetery among her peers. On their first Mother’s Day without her, the family held a small private ceremony to remember what she meant to them. As her son, Homer Laffoon, said: "She was our Mom, but the kindness and the outpouring of the past few days reminded us that she also belongs to her fans, to the entertainment community, and now, to the ages."