June 2020

Page B4 JUNE 2020 FUNERAL HOME & CEMETERY NEWS S ec t i on B (800) 4-HEARSE 4hearse.com 4 more visit Passages launches Fair-Trade Alternatives to Entry-Level Cardboard Containers Four Point Bamboo Casket The Bamboo Cremation Container ALBUQUERQUE,NM— To give funeral homes a better al- ternative to the cardboard boxes typically used for crema- tion, Passages International, Inc has released two new environmentally friendly cremation containers construct- ed from bamboo. These two new offerings give families a more dignified and green choice when choosing a contain- er for a loved one’s cremation, and help funeral directors elevate their standard of care, at a similar price. The Bamboo Cremation Container and the Four-Point Bamboo Casket’s environmental benefits extend from their inception to their final use. Passages have created these products using sustainably grown and renewable bamboo sourced locally, with no metal or plastic components. Both products are shipped flat-packed, drastically reducing the space needed for shipping or storage and minimizing their carbon footprint. They also come with available viewing lids that can be used for ID or viewing, in the case of the Bamboo Cremation Container or open casket and full ser- vices for the Four-Point Bamboo Casket. The new Bamboo Cremation Container is best posi- tioned as the entry-level or default cremation container, or as one step above the most basic cardboard option offered at funeral homes. Handmade from bamboo with minimal features or extras, it is a simple yet respectful choice for those families who still expect their loved ones to be treated with dignity, even when selecting direct cremation. The Four-Point Bamboo Casket is one more step up. It in- cludes a full cotton lining, pillow, carrying handles, and a cer- tificate that can be redeemed for a memorial tree sapling. This product caters to families planning a service prior to cremation. “These two products are long overdue in the industry. Un- til now, funeral directors have had no choice but to use vari- ous cardboard containers for the cremation of most bod- ies in the United States,” said Darren Crouch, president of Passages International. “This often leaves families shocked by the indignity of cardboard, it is not environmentally sound, and results in poor revenue generation for the busi- ness. Many families would pay more, but there is no inher- ent value in cardboard and no other options that meets their need for dignified and affordable simplicity.” The new Bamboo Cremation Container and Four-Point Bamboo Casket from Passages benefit three major areas: they are better for families, better for the environment, and better for funeral professionals. The funeral indus- try is currently undergoing a major shift as cremation be- comes the preferred method of disposition. The Fair Trade designation of our Cremation Container and Bamboo Casket assures families that we are providing job opportunities in economically depressed areas, offering health benefits, and education to the staff that weaves them. Independent burn tests indicated non-toxic emissions, low- er temperatures required to complete the cremation pro- cess and showed that bamboo containers produce a cleaner white smoke compared to cardboard’s dark smoke when cre- mated. In addition, they leave substantially less residue, re- sulting in purer remains being returned to each family. In 2019, the National Funeral Directors Association report- ed over 50 percent of families are interested in green funeral options. Funeral home s now need an affordable, eco-friend- ly, non-traditional and profitable option to offer to their families, or risk losing significant revenue opportunities and becoming out of touch with families. Funeral homes that of- fer the Bamboo Cremation Containers as the minimum op- tion, assure those in the local community that they are part of the community, and they are concerned about the en- vironmental impact of the cremation process. They believe families deserve better than cardboard. Passages International, Inc. has led the green sector of the funeral industry for 20 years, with the largest selection of innovative, environmentally friendly urns, caskets, and memorial products. For more information on green funer- als and their benefits visit www.aGreenerFuneral.org. For more information on Passages products or Fair Trade visit www.PassagesInternational.com. Thumbies ® Launches New Products Thumbies Charmies Thumbies Comfort Bands Thumbies Heritage Urns WOODSTOCK,IL— Thumbies, Inc. (Thumbies®) has re- leased three new products in their ever-growing line of industry-leading personalized keepsakes. Cremation Line Expanded Building off their wildly successful Heritage Vessel™ line of fillable pendants, the new Heritage Urn™ is a spherical fillable pendant, suitable for containing a pinch of cremat- ed remains, bits of dried flowers, snippets of hair, or any- thing that can be placed and sealed in the inner chamber. Initial design options include adding a fingerprint, or for those lacking access to a fingerprint there are Lace and Basket Weave patterns. The Heritage Urn™ is available in .925 Sterling Silver, (with a Patina finish to enhance the design details,) as well as 14K yellow, white and rose gold (without Patina). Up to three characters of caps-only engraving, cast as the piece is made, are included in the list price. Like its predecessor, the Heritage Urn™ comes with an easy-to-use filling/sealing kit, eliminating the need to ship cremated remains via the mail. The Urn’s high-grade sealant set screw means no messy glues. They are so sim- ple to use anyone can fill and seal a Heritage Urn™. sterling as well as 14K yellow, white and rose gold. Charmies™ Add-ons Enhance Personalization The growing trend in memorial keepsakes is the expan- sion of personalization options. To meet this demand, Thumbies ® introduces its line of add-ons, Charmies™. Inspiring Word Charmies™ let customers choose from a list of 10 emotionally stirring words to add to a Sterling Silver Round or Heart-shaped. Birthstone Charmies™ offer 3mm synthetic birth- stones set in Sterling Silver Diamond or Teardrop shaped charms. Each Charmie™ comes attached to a jump ring, suitable for threading on to most chains and cords. Digital Launch Addresses Current Events Originally set to officially launch at the cancelled 2020 ICCFA Convention and Expo in San Antonio, TX, these new offerings are now available to order on the Thumb- ies ® website, thumbies.com. Thumbies ® continues to monitor and adapt to the cur- rent global pandemic, making sure to act in the best in- terests of its partners, customers, employees and their families. At the same time, the firm is committed to mov- ing forward even in the face of unprecedented adversity. In addition to current new releases, development contin- ues on over a dozen future product launches. Thumbies ® keepsake jewelry is made from the finger, hand, foot, and other prints of the people, and pets, they love. Some offerings can incorporate cremated remains. In 1998 Thumbies ® were introduced to funeral professionals by way of their Thumbies ® , Buddies Pet Keepsakes ® , and Phoenix Collection ® (cremation) product lines. The emotional con- nections forged by these remarkable heirloom-quality pieces help people celebrate life, and the ones they love. Each keep- sake is made from the finest materials and hand crafted by skilled artisans in the heartland of the United States. Avail- able in a range of precious metals as well as proprietary ma- terials available nowhere else. With both feminine and mas- culine designs, from purely decorative to highly functional, there is something to satisfy every taste and budget. To learn mo re, visit www.thumbies.com. New Contemporary Ring Offerings The Thumbies ® line of personalized rings is being expanded with the addition of a new Comfort Band ring. This new ring features a domed outer surface, and the elimination of harsh right-angled edges on the underside for a more comfortable feel on the finger. Available in three uniform widths: 6mm— with one repeated or two different fingerprint portions covering most of the domed surface; 7mm—with one partial fingerprint on the ring top and a finely burnished polish cover- ing the rest of the ring surface; and 8mm— with one repeated or two different finger- print portions covering most of the domed surface; The 6mm and 8mm Comfort Bands come with the option to add a 2.5mm genu- ine or synthetic birthstone in the ring chan- nel. A single line of engraving in either Block (CAPS) or Script fonts is included in the list price. Comfort Bands are available in .925 Batesville’s Image Medallions Provide a New Way to Remember Image Medallion Continued on Page B9 which are part of the company’s Family Choices® personaliza- tion and memorialization portfolio, funeral directors can of- fer products that are more personal and meaningful than ever. “We understand memories are an important – and highly personal – element of the healing process, and fu- neral directors are in a unique position to nurture and help fulfill that intrinsic need,” said Jenn Parvin, vice president of marketing and technology for Batesville. “With Image medallions, we were able to combine to- day’s digital technologies with more traditional solutions BATESVILLE,IN— Families want to tell the unique sto- ry of their loved one, and Batesville has made that pro- cess easier. Now, with customizable Image medallions, a Life Well Lived