I think I saw my first Urn Ark around 20 years ago. I was immediately taken and still consider it to be the best way to dignify the ceremony in a cremation. Most funeral homes that use them… and, sadly, too many do not…don’t charge for them. That practice doesn’t bother me but I do think things of value should have a price. But that is not the purpose of this post.

The other day I was visiting my friend, Danny Jefferson, of Pierce – Jefferson Funeral Home in Kernersville, NC. Danny is a true innovator. So, as is my practice, while I was waiting for him to finish up what he was doing I wandered around the funeral home. With Danny there is always a good chance you will learn something.

When I wandered into his arrangement office I noticed this display.

If you click on the small images they get a little bigger. so I added a larger image for your convenience. That’s a wooden urn in the center.

When Danny came in I complimented on the display. His urn ark had always been displayed but not with flowers. He told me he had a new onsite florist and she had decorated it for a service that afternoon.

WHAT I WOULD DO

If it were me I would buy some high quality silk flowers and display it with flowers and a high quality urn all the time. I would, of course, sell the arrangement but I would also add a small charge (say $75) for the rental of the ark.  I would have the designer create 3 or 4 floral themes including a military one and have photos displayed above it.

I think you would use it more, sell more and maybe even get a couple of ceremonies you wouldn’t have gotten in the first place. In the service that afternoon the 3 daughters were going to carry it to the gravesite.

IF YOU HAVE GOOD IDEAS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WHY NOT SEND THEM TO ME AND I WILL FEATURE THE WORTHY ONES.