The Oak Sleeps in the Acorn

Amigurumi acorns at PlanetJune

"The greatest achievement was at first and for a time a dream. The oak sleeps in the acorn, the bird waits in the egg, and in the highest vision of the soul a waking angel stirs. Dreams are the seedlings of realities." - James Allen

If I had to choose a modern symbol of hope in the midst of loss, it would be the acorn. Fallen from a great oak, the acorn seems so small and insignificant. Yet it holds so much promise. When we lose someone, it indeed feels like everything is lost. Yet somewhere in the ruins there's a seed for a new beginning. We may not understand it, but I'm pretty sure it's there.


That's why I like the Acorn Urn by AKRA. Made from compressed recycled paper, these hand-finished urns are hardy above ground, yet biodegradable if you choose to "plant" them. In an age when most urns try to impart permanence with marble and stone, these lovely urns are humble in both design and destiny.

Enviromentally Friendly Caskets

I'm not much for coffins, they usually make me claustrophic just looking at them. But these beautiful wicker willow coffins have a romantic flair, fit for a swooning Pre-Raphaelite Ophelia. Carefully hand-woven by Somerset Willow Company in the UK, these caskets are created with eco-friendly willow, locally harvested from the Somerset Levels.


If you prefer cremation, Somerset Willow Company also hand-weaves ashes caskets. It's almost as if you are going to a picnic.

Eco Burial at Sea

Scattering ashes at sea can be a messy business. Lots Design of Sweden has a solution that's both sleekly clean and eco-friendly. They've created a modern biodegradable capsule called the "Shell". This pressed-paper vessel (made from recycled material of course) contains the ashes, as well as a pocket to hold the written messages of loved ones. I like the Shell because if feels like a vessel on its way to a fantastic underwater journey.