Paddy came back home yesterday

I collected Paddy’s ashes yesterday. Tomorrow it will have been five weeks since he died. It feels good to have them back with me. I really loved this cat!

Two things about this are strange for me – firstly, in South Africa you are buried or cremated a maximum of four days after you die. Funerals are usually on Saturday or Tuesday. It is now a cultural thing, but I am sure that historically it was for health reasons – extreme heat and no cold storage facilities are not a good combination. But in Sweden, cremation or burial is months and months after you die. Usually about two but longer is not uncommon. This was probably also weather related to begin with but now it is a cultural thing – people wait until they can get everyone together for the funeral.

Secondly, all my previous pets were buried in the garden. Man, that garden must have about fifty pets buried in it. But in Sweden, Tusse and Paddy have been individually cremated.

We scattered Tusse’s ashes under the tree where he loved to be most of all. I think I am going to scatter Paddy’s ashes under his favourite bush outside by the front door.

Near where I live there is a pet’s memorial garden with a little bench and wild flowers growing, where you can scatter your pet’s ashes. It is not a place randomly chosen either, or one that was unsuitable for anything else so they just bunged a sign on it. It is a beautiful spot, and amazingly peaceful with the sound of the wind rustling the leaves and (it is so unlike me to say things like this) very calm and spiritual.

Another alternative is pet memorial jewellery (also called pet ash jewellery), which is quite common. You can find a lot of it on Etsy. Some ashes are solidified into rings.

The items below come from CloseByMe on Etsy

CloseByMeJewelry.com offers subtle and unique memorials allowing you to always remember. Through my patent-pending process, my jewelry allows for cremations and jewelry to become one beautiful piece anyone would love to wear. About one teaspoon of ashes are solidified and permanently set in your chosen style of jewelry. The end result is a glass-like or stone-like appearance. Regarding the color of the ashes, ashes are like finger prints, they’re all different and you never know how they will look until they’re set as evident in my various item photos. The color range tends to be from light beige to a dark gray (which can appear black).

I take pride in my work and extreme care with all of my customers. Every situation is different and every finished piece is unique. It is an honor to provide something that becomes so meaningful to so many. Although I understand this can be difficult, I personally work through the process with all my customers. If you still have questions or concerns after reading my reviews, please contact me directly.

About the Process:
I only need a VERY small amount of ashes, about a teaspoon. Once an order is submitted, I will send you a confirmation email and offer you a kit that makes it safe and easy for you to ship the ashes to closebyme. However, many customers choose to send the ashes without a kit to save time. If you opt to not use my kit, please enclose the ashes in two sealed bags and release all of the air to ensure the ashes are secure (make sure to label the ashes with order details).

After I receive the ashes, the total process takes between 7 and 9 business days to complete. Upon completion of your piece, I will package and ship your keepsake with any unused ashes. I will also immediately email you a shipping confirmation with the tracking number.

Your 100% satisfaction is of paramount importance to me as the circumstance surrounding your purchase is always difficult. I want to hear from each customer after receipt of their remembrance piece to ensure your expectations were exceeded. If there are any concerns with your purchase, I WILL do everything in my power to resolve and ensure your complete satisfaction.

Personal note from the Artist:
Please accept my condolence on your loss. Death is ALWAYS difficult to deal with. It can also be difficult to decide what to do with cremains, which is how I stumbled upon making jewelry with ashes.

I lost my parents at a young age and I believe that those who we are deeply connected with are forever connected. I like to think of my jewelry as a subtle artistic remembrance you can always have and keep close to you. I wanted to create beautiful jewelry that is also understated in comparison to other cremation jewelry.

Although it cannot change things, I hope that I can offer something tangible to hold and keep close to your heart. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Unfortunately, Etsy guidelines do not allow me sell my cremation jewelry with human remains. However, I would be honored to create an elegant remembrance from a loved pet. If you have any questions regarding the etsy guidelines as they relate to my jewelry, please contact me directly.