Diane Dyer: Certified Funeral and Memorial Celebrant » News

Happy Holidays!

Diane — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 20:16:15 +0000

Miracles are of Spirit

And are as natural as breathing

Miracles are for anyone who believes…

This is the Heart of Hanukkah

This is the Soul of Christmas

May the Grace of this Mystical Season

Bless you Now and Always

The Day of the Dead

Diane — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 23:08:45 +0000

El Dia de los Muertos – The Day of the Dead

Having lived in Los Angeles for 28 years, this Mexican holiday, El Dia de los Mueros, was celebrated right along with our Hallowe’en, although they have completely different origins. Just today, a dear friend reported to me that she had visited Olvera Street for their Day of the Dead celebrations, and I had a moment of envy, and a flashback to the colorful carnival atmosphere, where death is celebrated and even sometimes mocked.

El Dia de los Muertos occurs on November 2 in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2). Mexicans gather in families to celebrate and remember their loved ones who have died by bringing food, marigolds, candles, incense, photos and other memorabilia to an altar especially created for the occasion. Graves are visited, flowers placed, and even drink such as tequila is brought to the graveside. Skulls are a predominant emblem and show up in many varieties, even as small candies, shaped like Calaveras (skulls and skeletons.) All in all, it is colorful, and joyful, and reflects a sensibility towards death that is not usually found here.

Must Love Dogs

Diane — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:20:12 +0000

A remarkable trend is developing across America and Houston is on top of the wave. We’ve become a country of pet lovers. Yes, yes, we know — most people like animals, but it’s gone well beyond that. Statistics report that the number of households with pets has grown dramatically in recent years, and we are spending much more on them.

According to the National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), in 1988, 56 percent of all U.S. households owned a pet. In 2009, the APPA reported that 62 percent of U.S. households own a pet.

Today, 77 million dogs and 94 million cats live with Americans and more than half of these pet owners identify their pets as members of the family.

Read the full article:

Must Love Dogs Greater Houston Weekly Top Of The Week Archives Houston Community Newspapers Online – News Around Town.

Natural burials, home funerals gain fans

admin — Sun, 31 May 2009 17:38:10 +0000

Bob Butz is going to build his own coffin. It may double as a coffee table or bookshelves until he needs it. Butz, 38, is a Lake Ann author whose newest book, “Going Out Green: One Man’s Adventure Planning His Own Natural Burial” will be published July 1. While he was researching the book, he visited a burial preserve, talked to death midwives and even visited his father’s grave for the first time in more than 20 years. And, yes, he bought plans for a coffin, but says they’re also available for free. “Green burial to me,” Butz said, “was more than just picking the things I needed. It was about reclaiming a ritual we lost.” (Record Eagle, Michigan)

Read on…