SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 7, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Cremation rates are higher than ever: today, almost half the adults in the United States choose to be cremated. The decision brings a second one: what should be done with the ashes? Some keep a loved one's ashes sitting in an urn on a shelf or mantel, collecting dust. David Lieberstein, the inventive mind behind the new California company, The Bonsai Urn, has a better answer.
"What if you could plant a 'family tree' with the cremated remains of your loved ones?" he asked in a recent interview. "There are some options out there, but they require a yard and a lot of patience; growing a full-sized tree can take years. If you live in a condo, or rent an apartment or home, it isn't practical. And what if you have to move? Your loved one's tree stays behind."
The Bonsai Urn takes all the worries out of making the decision to 'grow life' from a loved one's cremains. "Garden space is no longer an issue, and if you decide to move," says Lieberstein, "you can take your loved one's Bonsai Urn with you."
"I decided Bonsai trees were perfect 'living memorials' - they can live for decades, creating a legacy memorial–one you can pass on to future generations; that's what I had in mind when I invented the Bonsai Urn," said Lieberstein. "You can also use most any small indoor or outdoor plant in the Bonsai Urn."
The porcelain ceramic urn measures approximately 9" high and 9" in diameter, and is available in white, celadon blue, or beige. As in traditional cremation urns, the Bonsai Urn comes with a fitted lid. Customers also receive a matching ceramic drip saucer and a set of gardening tools to assist in planting.
Why use a Bonsai Urn instead of a regular ceramic container? Lieberstein's patent-pending growing system, coupled with a loved one's ashes lovingly mixed with soil, provides the ideal growing environment for the Bonsai tree to thrive.
The company's Bonsai Tree Masters provide customers with one of six different types of Bonsai trees: indoor options include the Ficus Retusa, also known as the "Banyan Fig", the Willow Leaf Ficus Tree, Braided Money Tree, or the Hawaiian Umbrella Tree; outside options are a Traditional Windswept or Tiered Juniper Tree. Each tree is 6-13 years old and 8" – 14" tall.
Are Bonsai trees difficult to grow? Lieberstein and his team of Bonsai Masters all say no. "If you put your tree in a good spot with proper natural light, pay attention and water only when needed, your Bonsai tree will thrive for years to come," Lieberstein assures. "The patented Bonsai Urn growing system – together with the nutrients from a loved one's ashes – will work together to grow a beautiful living memorial."
Grief counselors and death educators applaud the Bonsai Urn. Gail Rubin, a certified Thanatologist, endorsed Bonsai Urn in a September, 2017 online article, "Introducing The Bonsai Urn: Growing Life from Loving Memories", where she told readers "You can give the cremated remains of your loved ones a beautiful, portable resting place combined with an elegant potted plant with the Bonsai Urn."
Kim Stacey, a California funeral director and certified grief counselor also considers a Bonsai Urn an enchanting alternative for anyone wishing to safekeep a loved one's ashes at home. But more importantly, it's therapeutic. "In truth, when you choose a Bonsai Urn, you're making a long-term commitment to maintaining a living connection with your deceased loved one. That is a very potent, healing action. And each time attention is given to the care of the tree, emotional and spiritual healing takes place."
When asked why he's such a believer in The Bonsai Urn, Lieberstein reflected for a moment, then said "The passing of our loved ones is always challenging. As more and more people choose cremation for environmental, societal and budgetary reasons, we need more options for the cremains of our family members. The Bonsai Urn gives families an important meaningful option to ease this transition and grow memories with natural beauty."
Contact:
David Lieberstein
[email protected]
415-895 6641
SOURCE The Bonsai Urn
Share this article