More artistic urns and memorials

We’ve watched countless product categories get transformed in recent years to reflect the varying tastes and lifestyles of the baby-boom generation, offering a variety of alternatives to the mass-produced, one-size-fits-all approach. Funerals and urns are no exception, as we noted back in 2007, and recently we came across further evidence: Shine on Brightly, a North Carolina company that offers a wide range of artist-made urns and memorials. The works of 27 artists are currently featured on the Shine on Brightly site, including handmade urns, memorial jewelry, textile art, remains-infused handblown glass and handmade books along with personalized poetry and paintings. Each product is uniquely crafted by the artist, with materials ranging from ceramics, glass, wood and metal to textiles and paper. Items can be designed to incorporate hair or ‘cremains’, or they can simply memorialize a human or animal’s life; both commissioned and non-commissioned pieces are available. The number of human deaths in the United States each year is expected to increase from about 2.4 million last year to 2.7 million in 2015 and 3.1 million in 2025, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Not too surprising, then, that Shine on Brightly is currently seeking more artists to create works for its line. One to get involved in…? (Related: Motorcycle hearses offer a (life)stylish final ride — Freeze-dried eco-burials — Licensing to the grave — Art after life.)