The Meaning of the Word Urn
What does the word Urn mean? The word urn carries a quiet dignity. It’s a simple word, yet steeped in centuries of history — from the clay vessels of ancient burials to the polished memorial urns we know today. But where does it come from, what does it mean, and how has its shape and […]
More...The Meaning of the Word Cremate
What does Cremate Mean? From its roots in classical antiquity to the modern-day crematorium, the word cremate carries a long, fiery history. In its simplest form, to cremate means to reduce a body to ashes through intense heat — but its meaning, and how we interpret it, has evolved considerably over the centuries. From Latin […]
More...Julius Caesar’s soul was carried to the heaven by an eagle
Julius Caesar’s Soul Carried to the Heavens by an Eagle When Julius Caesar, one of history’s most influential leaders, was assassinated on the Ides of March (15 March 44 BC), his death shook Rome to its core. His body was taken to The Forum for cremation, but the crowd that gathered was far larger than […]
More...What did the Romans mix in their wine?
Peruse the small print on nearly any wine bottle and it typically mentions “contains sulfites.” However, scientists examining a 2,000-year-old bottle discovered in Carmona, a village in southern Spain, might consider a more macabre label: “Contains the cremated remains of an ancient Roman.” To give context, the wine was unearthed in a tomb, reflecting a […]
More...Why Choose a Viking Funeral in the Modern Age?
Why Choose a Viking Funeral in the Modern Age? In a world where tradition often intersects with modernity, the choice of a Viking funeral stands out as a powerful and evocative way to honour a loved one. Rooted in ancient customs and legendary sagas, Viking funerals offer a unique blend of historical reverence and profound […]
More...What Grave Goods do I need for my Viking Funeral?
Viking Funeral Grave Goods – What You Need & Why At Scattering Ashes we think Viking Longboat urn offers you the best chance to get to Valhalla, either buried in a Sutton Hoo style burial or set adrift and set aflame. If you choose the boat burial option then you probably already know that our […]
More...Funeral Rings – an Old British Tradition
Memorial Jewellery – A Tradition Reimagined Memorial jewellery might feel like a modern idea, but it actually has deep historical roots. The custom of wearing something to remember a loved one goes back centuries — right to medieval times, in fact. I came across a fascinating snippet in my beloved BBC History Magazine about mourning […]
More...The mystery of the ashes of the Indian nationalist Netaji
Unresolved questions and legends about the final resting place of Netaji’s ashes Subhas Chandra Bose, known more commonly as just Netaji is a famous figure in the Indian nationalist movement. During the second world war he pursued a number of routes to try and get the British out of Indian, first courting the Germans and […]
More...Philip II of Macedonia Cremated Remains Confirmed
Most of us have heard of Alexander the Great, well in case you weren’t aware his father was Philip II of Macedonia and scientists now believe they have discovered his cremated remains. The tomb that held them was found a while ago in 1977, but recent excavations revealed that there were were more burial chambers […]
More...The Rise and Fall of Cremation in the Ancient World
Ancient Greek & Roman Cremation Practices As far back as 1000BC the ancient Greeks had adopted cremation as measure to deal with their dead. It is likely that it was introduced for military reasons as a way of making sure that soldiers killed abroad could be returned home, the bodies were cremated and their ashes […]
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