After Such A Loss...YURNS are Easier to Look at.

We received this message with a recent order for a Bass Fish YURN:

"I just want to tell you that I lost my youngest son... I have put off buying an urn because I was looking for something special. I knew exactly what I wanted and when I saw this urn I knew it was the reason why I waited. My son was an avid fisherman and this represents him perfectly. Thank you for making unique urns which also make it easier for a parent to look at after such a loss."  - Myrna A.

It's Obvious They Love What They Do...Simply Beautiful

 

Five-Star Etsy Review

We received this lovely review on our first Etsy shop sale. We are so honored to have the opportunity to work with this family and create this personalized guitar YURN. It was very special to us that they shared videos of their son singing and playing his guitar. God rest his beautiful and talented soul.

"When my son passed we were desperate to find an urn that reflected his love of the guitar. We were excited when we found MorzArt on Etsy. The owners of the shop are sincere, caring, and really cool people. It's obvious they love what they do and it is reflected in their work. The urn is PERFECT. Simply beautiful. All of our family and friends were very impressed with this unique way having our son in our home. Rarely, if ever, do you deal with the people behind the product when you make an internet purchase. In this case Rob and Jamaica were readily available and added some personal touches just for our son. I highly recommend them. Their work is heartfelt and truly special."  - Jerry L.

Personalized Guitar YURN

For a young man from Pennsylvania...

"He played all the time."

A photo posted by YURNSbyMorzArt (@morzart) on Apr 11, 2015 at 5:10pm PDT

She Was Pure Sunshine

Doris June Forsythe

January 4, 1931 - April 2, 2015

Over the last month, we had the profound experience of caring for Jamaica's grandmother, Doris June, as she made her transition from this Earth. Cancer went mis/undiagnosed and by the time she received an official diagnosis, it had spread into her lymphatic system and spine...hospice arrived that same day.
For 22 days we were able to care for her and tell her how much we love her- although short, we appreciate that time and opportunity. She was pure sunshine and joy to all who knew her and she will be deeply missed. 
Many thanks to our buddy, Stephen, at Star of Texas Casket Company for collaborating with us on her sentimental and personalized Cedar casket. It was beautiful and we know she would have loved the special touches carved into it for her. Rest in peace, sweet Doie, your legacy of love, faith and laughter lives on in your children, grand and great.

Our Virtual Doors are Now Open on Etsy.com

We're all set up and ready to go!  Our YURNS can now be found and purchased through our Etsy Shop:  

www.etsy.com/shop/MorzArt

After 10 Years, Dad Gets a New Home

Our friend purchased this Bass Angler YURN for her father.  For many years, they weren't quite sure what to do with his cremains.  Once she saw this YURN, she knew it was perfect for her dad. We are deeply touched that we were able to create his new memorial, and just love her mother's sweet reaction to receiving it.

Me, My Mom and Dad and his new YURN by MorzArt. Daddy always loved fishing and Billy Bass.

Conveying the Value of Cremation Urns

In researching the emotional value of urns, the what/why people choose urns verses holding onto that little white box we found this: "Cost may be a factor in choosing an urn. However, too often family members choose not to purchase an urn simply because they don't see anything they like or they don't perceive any of the urns available to them as being reflective of their loved one."

Q: Our firm has a hard time selling cremation urns. It seems as though many families are satisfied with the container. Can you share some information on how to effectively convey the value of a cremation urn?
A: The most recent industry research (a 2006 Disposition, Container and Service Survey conducted by the Cremation Association of North America) indicates that approximately 60 percent of families selected a cremation urn vs. a temporary container. Though more urns are being purchased now than in previous years, there are still families who do not see value in a permanent urn for their loved one.
A permanent urn serves as a protective container and becomes a treasured memorial for a loved one that will last for generations. A plastic or cardboard container is a temporary receptacle that houses the cremated remains until a permanent urn is chosen.
Cost may be a factor in choosing an urn.  However, too often family members choose not to purchase an urn simply because they don't see anything they like or they don't perceive any of the urns available to them as being reflective of their loved one.
From high-end artistic pieces to less expensive brass and veneer wood urns, an abundance of products are available today to suit the many needs of families choosing cremation urns for their loved ones.
Firms who have a high ratio of cremation urn sales attribute their success to their up-to-date offerings, an effective display and the ability to guide families through the selection process.
- See more at: https://www.iccfa.com/cremation/support/conveying-value-cremation-urns#sthash.qjQahBv7.dpuf

Q: Our firm has a hard time selling cremation urns. It seems as though many families are satisfied with the container. Can you share some information on how to effectively convey the value of a cremation urn?
A: The most recent industry research (a 2006 Disposition, Container and Service Survey conducted by the Cremation Association of North America) indicates that approximately 60 percent of families selected a cremation urn vs. a temporary container. Though more urns are being purchased now than in previous years, there are still families who do not see value in a permanent urn for their loved one.
A permanent urn serves as a protective container and becomes a treasured memorial for a loved one that will last for generations. A plastic or cardboard container is a temporary receptacle that houses the cremated remains until a permanent urn is chosen.
Cost may be a factor in choosing an urn.  However, too often family members choose not to purchase an urn simply because they don't see anything they like or they don't perceive any of the urns available to them as being reflective of their loved one.
From high-end artistic pieces to less expensive brass and veneer wood urns, an abundance of products are available today to suit the many needs of families choosing cremation urns for their loved ones.
Firms who have a high ratio of cremation urn sales attribute their success to their up-to-date offerings, an effective display and the ability to guide families through the selection process.
- See more at: https://www.iccfa.com/cremation/support/conveying-value-cremation-urns#sthash.qjQahBv7.dpuf

This is an important point to make in why we have decided to pursue our ideas for cremation urns...we hope to change the notion of the typical urn form found in traditional urns, by creating works that are out-of-the-ordinary and down-to-earth…sculptural urns that are honest in subject, but discreet in function. It is our vision to create endearing pieces that match the personality or interests of the individual, while also serving as an artistic element among home décor. Our goal is to provide to families heirloom-quality works of art that have a distinctive presence that they can feel a connection to, find comfort in, and have stories for generations to come.


See more at:  www.iccfa.com/cremation/support/conveying-value-cremation-urns

Q: Our firm has a hard time selling cremation urns. It seems as though many families are satisfied with the container. Can you share some information on how to effectively convey the value of a cremation urn?
A: The most recent industry research (a 2006 Disposition, Container and Service Survey conducted by the Cremation Association of North America) indicates that approximately 60 percent of families selected a cremation urn vs. a temporary container. Though more urns are being purchased now than in previous years, there are still families who do not see value in a permanent urn for their loved one.
A permanent urn serves as a protective container and becomes a treasured memorial for a loved one that will last for generations. A plastic or cardboard container is a temporary receptacle that houses the cremated remains until a permanent urn is chosen.
Cost may be a factor in choosing an urn.  However, too often family members choose not to purchase an urn simply because they don't see anything they like or they don't perceive any of the urns available to them as being reflective of their loved one.
From high-end artistic pieces to less expensive brass and veneer wood urns, an abundance of products are available today to suit the many needs of families choosing cremation urns for their loved ones.
Firms who have a high ratio of cremation urn sales attribute their success to their up-to-date offerings, an effective display and the ability to guide families through the selection process.
- See more at: https://www.iccfa.com/cremation/support/conveying-value-cremation-urns#sthash.qjQahBv7.dpuf

Q: Our firm has a hard time selling cremation urns. It seems as though many families are satisfied with the container. Can you share some information on how to effectively convey the value of a cremation urn?
A: The most recent industry research (a 2006 Disposition, Container and Service Survey conducted by the Cremation Association of North America) indicates that approximately 60 percent of families selected a cremation urn vs. a temporary container. Though more urns are being purchased now than in previous years, there are still families who do not see value in a permanent urn for their loved one.
A permanent urn serves as a protective container and becomes a treasured memorial for a loved one that will last for generations. A plastic or cardboard container is a temporary receptacle that houses the cremated remains until a permanent urn is chosen.
Cost may be a factor in choosing an urn.  However, too often family members choose not to purchase an urn simply because they don't see anything they like or they don't perceive any of the urns available to them as being reflective of their loved one.
From high-end artistic pieces to less expensive brass and veneer wood urns, an abundance of products are available today to suit the many needs of families choosing cremation urns for their loved ones.
Firms who have a high ratio of cremation urn sales attribute their success to their up-to-date offerings, an effective display and the ability to guide families through the selection process.
- See more at: https://www.iccfa.com/cremation/support/conveying-value-cremation-urns#sthash.qjQahBv7.dpuf

Great Loss Leads to a Greater Purpose

A post to our Facebook friends:

Friends,
As many of you know, Rob’s mother passed away in March. The circumstances and financial situation did not allow for a traditional funeral service. We had a small gathering of family and his mother’s body was cremated. It was decided by the family that they wanted her cremains to be brought here to our property- along with her brother’s ashes (Uncle Jimmy passed away 5 years ago). About 10 days after her passing, a small white box containing her cremains was delivered by hand from our mailman...and today, we have two small white boxes sitting on top our refrigerator. Although the family had discussed us planting the ashes with new trees, we haven’t yet set the proper space or have had the readiness to do that.
Also as you may know, in a turn of events with our sawyer friend- we have been assisting in the development of his casket company. That exposure has us learning a lot about the death care industry. The funeral business is changing and they are taking note of the rising increase in the people doing cremation by choice or out of financial necessity. In some areas of the country, cremation rates are 70+% and people are opting for life celebration ceremonies over traditional funerals and their associated costs.
As a result, Rob has had many conversations with people interested in urns. In doing some research about urns, we discovered that there are many choices for funerary vessels, but not many that reach “outside of the box” per se…. spanning the financial spectrum, there are many beautiful clay, glass, metal or wooden urns and boxes out there- but that’s just it, the choice is a basically a vase or a box. It is difficult to find a very personalized urn…a figurative vessel that visually represents a person’s essence…something uniquely precious for their loved ones. This point brings to mind prior sculpture work we created as a special memorial.

In 2006, our buddy Ron passed away. At the time, we spoke with his wife Kathy about doing a sculptural urn for her. Ron had a big personality and he loved to fish… it was decided that she wanted a bigmouth bass fish for his cremains. Eight years later, that urn still sits mounted like a trophy on the wall of their home. Placed under a covered porch, it overlooks the beautiful country property they love so much. We know Ron would think it is a hoot that his remains ended up in that clay fish…he was just that kind of guy. Kathy recently shared with us how the fish urn still gives her comfort, being able to look up and know he is there with her.
So, where is all of this going- now that we have gone full circle? You guessed it…we want to do sculptural urns. Applied art with special function and sentiment, something that loved ones can always keep- to display in remembrance….a unique memorial that can have infinite possibilities to reflect the personality, hobbies or interests of the individual.
We now have better ideas for memorializing the cremains of Rob's mother and uncle, and will we'll be making special urn sculptures to represent them. Our intention is set with this idea… we get teary-eyed at the thought of such a beautiful purpose- we can't imagine a greater honor for our art, than to be of service to families in this way.
Do you have one of those small white boxes that you have been waiting to do something with? Do you have a friend that might be comforted by this service we can provide? Please contact us if you would like to share your thoughts or to create a special memorial for a loved one.
Abundant blessings,
Rob & Jamaica