Remember a charity in your Will week 2014

Did you know that each year around £2bn is raised for charity from gifts left in Wills? That’s nearly 20 times more than they raised during Comic Relief last year!

Much of the fantastic work done by charities can only be done because of the generosity of those who have left them a gift in their Will, like the Alzheimer’s Society who last year received £14m.

Despite the incredible work that is done as a result of those who leave a gift to charity, only 6% of us actually mention a charity in our Will. That is why Remember a Charity are having a Remember a Charity in your Will awareness week from the 8^th – 14^th of September so that even more of us are inspired to make a difference, even when we’re no longer here.

Remember a Charity have made this film The Living Legends to inspire people to do something as generous and as easy as leaving a gift to charity in their Will.

Writing a Will is the perfect way to ensure that your loved ones are provided for once you have passed away, but after you have taken care of them you can also make a huge difference to a cause you feel strongly about. However small or large your gift, it would be greatly appreciated by the charity of your choice.

If you have already made your Will but have not left a gift to charity you do not have to create a new Will to do so. A Codicil is a handwritten amendment that can be made to your Will in which you can add or remove certain gifts. Although there’s plenty of information and guides online in regards to Codicils you may want to seek professional advice to make sure that it is legally sound.

5 ways funerals will change in the future

With recent advances in technology and the ever-changing societal norms, the way we think about certain aspects of our lives is constantly evolving... and funerals are no exception. 

The traditional funeral is becoming less and less common, whether that is because people want to go out with a bang, or simply don't hold the same traditional values of previous generations.

Here are 5 ways that you can expect funerals to change in the near future:

1. Social Life After Death

For those who spend countless hours tweeting, death may no longer be such a large obstacle in the way of your online life.

The solar powered E-Tomb is a conceptual design that has gotten a lot of attention in recent years.

An E-Tomb would not only store all of the information from your social media, such as photos, videos and blogs, but would also allow people to post fond memories and messages.

Although the E-Tomb is merely a concept at this point, this way of digitally recording a person's achievements, memories and personality could become a reality as more and more of us live out our lives in the digital age.

2. Space Burial

Even now, keeping your remains on Earth is no longer your only option.

For a price comparable to the average Earth-bound funeral, Celestis offer a range of services including Earth or Lunar orbit, or even having the remains launched into deep space.

Once somebody has been launched their whereabouts can be tracked in real time by their family members.

Celestis are looking to expand their range of after-life space voyages by equipping their capsules with indefinite propulsion using solar sail technology.

The first burial of this sort was that of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry who was launched into Earth's orbit in 1997.

3. Bitcoin-Funded Funerals

With the increasingly popular digital currency Bitcoin being used for more and more services it comes as no surprise that some funeral directors are starting to accept Bitcoin as payment.

Bitcoin was created in 2009, and is designed to be a way for people to make transactions without the involvement of any middle men. This means that, in theory, you can spend with anonymity and without incurring transactions fees.

While Bitcoin may be a long way from replacing everyday currencies, there are a significant number of people who are keen to use it whenever they can.

         4. Digital Memorials

As more and more of use the internet for our social lives, online memorial services are becoming increasingly popular.

There are a huge number of online services available, ranging from memorial pages to fully fledged social media accounts that allow you to leave posthumous messages for your friends and family.

While this may seem bizarre to some, those of us who spend the majority of our lives in the digital era may think completely differently about the way in which we would like to be remembered.

5. Eco-Friendly Funerals

Environmental awareness has been on the rise over recent years, and many people are even considering the effect that their burial will have on the environment.

Given that the traditional funeral isn't exactly environmentally friendly, due to the embalming fluids and use of wooden coffins, some people are opting for greener forms of burial.

Some of the green coffins available include ones made from cardboard, recycled newspaper and even wool.

The importance of discussing your funeral wishes

A funeral is an occasion in which family members can celebrate your lifetime and pay their respects, however many people find this an uncomfortable topic to discuss.

Research conducted by Dying Matters (May 2014) has found that worryingly, just 29% of people have discussed their wishes regarding what they would like to happen once they pass away.

Dying Matters are an organisation who promotes open dialogue surrounding subjects that are often avoided but are very important.

Discussing your funeral preferences with your loved ones will not only make planning your funeral easier, but will give them the peace of mind that your service is carried out in a way that you would appreciate and that has your own personal touches.

Even if you have outlined your funeral preferences in your Will, discussing them with your family members can help make the whole experience feel more personal and fitting to your memory. It also gives them the opportunity to contribute their own ideas and helps them to pay their respects in a way that is both personal to them and yourself.

Taking the time to talk to family members about the financial aspects of planning your funeral can help a great deal. Regardless of whether you have taken out a life insurance policy, a Funeral Plan, or perhaps have savings put aside for the purpose of financing your funeral, making sure your loved ones are aware of these can help ensure that they are prepared when the time comes.

Talking openly about matters such as funerals and passing away can solve a great deal of problems and potentially avoid family arguments when people are feeling emotional. Although at first it seems difficult, comfort and support can be found from those who have gone through similar experiences.

Weird and Wonderful things that you can choose to do with ashes

While most people are either laid to rest in a coffin, buried in an urn, or scattered somewhere memorable, there are plenty of other options for your remains. People are increasingly deciding to have more unconventional funerals or wish to have their ashes used in a different way. Consumer Care can incorporate these wishes in your Will or funeral plan. Here we highlight some of the more unconventional methods people have requested for their ashes to be used after their death:

Use ashes to create a tattoo

These are called memorial tattoos, the method, widely used by many tattoo parlours, combines cremation ashes in the tattoo ink to have it permanently tattooed into the skin. This process works by removing larger pieces leaving you with a fine dust which can be incorporated within the ink and tattooed onto the skin with a normal, sterilised needle. As tattoos have become more popular over time, using ashes has also increased in popularity. If you’re looking for an unusual way to be remembered, this could be it.

Turn them into a Diamond

A diamond ring or pendant is an item of jewellery that people can wear every day, melting your ashes and using them to create a diamond is a great method to choose. This way your loved ones have a reminder of you close to them!

Send the ashes into space

This method has been chosen  by Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry. This is something that you can now do, by paying a company such as Elysium; your remains can orbit around Earth. This is a costly and very unconventional use for ashes , but if you're an avid Thunderbirds fan or have a great love for Elton John’s song ‘Rocket Man’ this could be the method for you.

Create art with them

Although it may be a self indulgent and a little creepy to have your ashes made into a portrait of yourself to be displayed in someone’s house, this can be a possibility for your ashes. Although a self portrait may be a bit much, you can choose to have your ashes used to create any image, something that incorporates a favourite holiday destination or perhaps a lovely beach.

Press ashes into your favourite record

If you live and breathe music, is there a better way  to be remembered than to actually become part of your favourite album? You are now able to be pressed into any record you want, including your own original album. Some companies will even write a song for you and incorporate your ashes into the design work on the front cover too.

Although, these are more unusual methods to use when considering what to do with your ashes, they are becoming ever more popular as people are looking for more unconventional ways to be remembered. If you want to ensure that your pre

cised wishes (no matter how out of the ordinary) are carried out after you pass away, ensure you purchase a Will or a pre-paid funeral plan.

Unusual state Memorials and Monuments

To honour great presidents, the United States has many impressive national memorials and monuments. For every such famous memorial, there are possibly 100 others in the US honouring bizarre incidents and obscure individuals. Their size and/or design relative to their surroundings or legacy make them stand out. Here are 6 unusual monuments and memorials in the United States.

The Gateway Arch

Standing 630 feet tall, the Gateway Arch is the tallest man-made monument in the US and was completed in 1967 to commemorate America’s expansion to the west. Situated in St Louis, it is strikingly different, both in size and design from other monuments, but it is also world famous, and has become such an accepted part of the American landscape that it no longer seems that unusual.

Jefferson Davis Monument

Built between 1917 and 1924 for an estimated $200,000 the Jefferson Davis monument is located in Fairview, Kentucky. The South boasts numerous memorials and monuments to former Confederate States of America President Jefferson Davis yet none quite match up to the surreal qualities of this monument. Patterned after the Washington Monument, the memorial towers at 351 feet above the rural countryside, and if you get to the top you can see a view of miles and miles of rural countryside.

Carhenge

It is hard to classify Carhenge as it is so bizarre; however the most suiting is to call it a monument. As you can guess by the name, it is patterned after Stonehenge, a pre-historic monument in England. However, instead of using stones, Carhenge consists of 38 stacked cars covered in grey spray paint. Since construction on the monument began in 1987, Carhenge has drawn tens of thousands of visitors and has been featured in movies and other popular culture, despite its somewhat remote location in Alliance, Nebraska.

San Jacinto Monument 

This monument was built in the 1930’s and stands at a height of 567 feet, making it the tallest monumental column in the world. The monument in La Porte, Texas, near Houston, is a popular tourist attraction as part of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, where the decisive battle in Texas’ war of independence from Mexico took place.

U.S.S South Dakota

The coasts and harbours of America feature a number of old aircraft carriers, battleships and submarines that now serve as floating memorials to their military veterans. Although Sioux Falls in South Dakota is more than 1,200 miles away from the nearest ocean port, they still have a memorial which served great distinction in the Pacific in World War II. City leaders commissioned a memorial to the ship at a city park. A concrete outline for the ship was made and a propeller, anchor and ships bell were sent by the Navy to create a truly surreal memorial.

Keeper of the Plains

This monument was unveiled in 1974 in Wichita, Kansas to help celebrate the United States bicentennial and to honour Native Americans. The Keeper of the Plains is a leading tourist attraction and popular gathering spot for locals; however it is widely unknown outside of the city. Standing at 44 feet high, a top a 30-foot rock pedestal it is worth a visit during the day, but it is particularly awe-inspiring every night just after sunset, when torches around its base are lit for 15 minutes. 

Strange and Bizarre Gravestones

                We all know about the traditional style gravestones that many of us choose for our loved ones. However, some people have opted for a more unusual style gravestone for their dearly departed; we have compiled a list of the top 5 most bizarre and unusual.

The Mercedes Grave

Owning a 1982 Mercedes Benz 240 Diesel Limousine was always a dream in life for one young boy in New Jersey, who sadly had his life cut short at the age of 15. His wealthy bug brother commissioned a 26-ton granite full size sculpture for his memorial, which is a very touching and unique way to remember the boy.

The Davis Memorial

This monument is for a lady in Kansas and was built by her grief stricken widower in 1930. After she dies he spent every penny he had on her memorial, erecting life like statues and having overstuffed chairs flown in from Italy. The memorial that he created has now brought a lot of money in for the city, as he unknowingly built a tourist attraction.

Cemetery Home

In Brooklyn, one man created a home around the casket of his wife. He added an empty casket for himself in the future, so he would be able to lie next to his wife. He also added furniture, a wood stove, paintings and decoration. Upon the passing of the man, 7,000 people stopped by to view the remarkable gravestone.

The Wheelchair Monument

This unique and touching monument shows a young boy jumping upward and out of his wheelchair. As he was confined to the chair for most of his young life, the monument now represents that he is free from earthly burdens.

An Actors Grave

There is a very unique gravestone of a musician and actor who died in 1990 and was buried in the Pere Lachaise, in Paris, France. He wished to gaze                                               at the face of his wife for eternity.

There are many more unusual and unique ways you can create a gravestone for your loved ones, which provide a more personal touch for your loved ones and may even become a tourist attraction. 

A cremation Urn doesn’t have to be plainly designed and ordinary...

As the name suggests, a cremation urn is a container that is meant to hold the cremated remains of the deceased. There are many different standard forms of urn, such as ceramic, granite, glass or biodegradable. However, with custom companies creating unique urns, it is becoming more common to add a personal touch to this keepsake item.

These urns are hardly anything close to the traditional urns that people usually purchase. Here is a list of some of the most unusual but individual urns, which could even possibly help you if you are looking for a bold, out of the box idea for memorialising your loved ones.

• A Ghost Urn.

A ghost shaped Urn can be a nice eternal resting place for those who had a sense of humour. They are time capsule inspired and have a modular design. They look good as white porcelain, but can also be made out of silver, gold and bronze.

• Martini Glass Urn

A martini glass is just one example of urns shaped into beverages, from a beer to a martini  glass, some of which, titled ‘companion glasses’ are big enough to store the remains of a loving couple. They tend to be made from glass or maple and are painted in the style of the drink.

• Huggabe Urns

Cremation urns generally create a feeling of uneasiness, especially with younger children. Turning these into huggable shapes, a teddy for example, can be much more accepting. The bears and teddies can also be personalised with accessories belonging to your loved ones such as a blanket or an item of clothing.

Star Trek Cremation Urn

An incredible way to memorialise a true Star Trek fan, would be to use a 23^rd Century stainless steel and wood design which features the Trademark Starfleet Delta Insignia detail, and shall serve as a family heirloom for generations.

• An Hourglass Keepsake Urn

An interesting twist on a standard urn would be an Hourglass Keepsake Urn. With this, you would fill it with cremated ashes as opposed to sand, creating a lovely symbol of the passage of time in every person’s life. If you and a loved one would like to share an hourglass, your ashes can be mixed into a single urn.

• Severed Head Urn.

Possibly the most bizarre Urn would be that of a severed head. The head can either be a likeness of the person deceased, a favourite star or anyone else for that matter. The head is created using an image of the desired person along with 3D imaging techniques. The head is then mounted onto a marble base. With this you can either have a full size Urn for storing the remains of an adult or a keepsake Urn, which tends to be smaller.