Floramorial Introduces New Cremation Option for Pet Owners.

Company's new technology converts pet cremation ashes into a planting medium for growing living memorials.

KANKAKEE, Ill. -- Floramorial Inc. of Kankakee, Ill., has introduced a technology that transforms cremation ashes into a growing medium to nurture a plant or tree into a living memorial. The company believes its new technology serves as an important means for individuals and families to offer a loving farewell to their faithful companions.

"Pets are increasingly being viewed as family members. And like family members, we grieve over their deaths," says Bob Jenkins, Floramorial's Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Jenkins has served in all phases of funeral home and cemetery service for more than 30 years. "Plants or trees are sometimes designated as memorials for departed loved ones. Floramorial allows cremation ash, for the first time, to actually become an active part of a living plant or tree."

Pet cremation is rising in the U.S. as Americans increasingly treat their pets as treasured family members. Even the 1,500-member Cremation Association of North America, originally formed for crematoriums providing services for human remains, now has members providing pet cremations. Many traditional funeral homes across the country are also investing in pet crematories.

"Previously, pets were either buried in the backyard or the veterinarian arranged to have them cremated and the remains typically disposed of in the local landfill," Jenkins says. "More and more people prefer to do more than simply dispose of their pet's remains. They want to show respect for the animal they've loved."

Although some owners elect to have their pet's ashes placed in decorative urns displayed in their homes, Jenkins says the ashes typically remain in the temporary container they come in and end up stored in a closet. "Most owners think they are going to do something with the ashes, such as scattering them as a means of returning their companions to nature, but never get around to doing it."

Creating a Living Memorial

In addition, most do not realize that cremation ashes are primarily inert and do not actually contribute to nature or the environment, Jenkins says. "Cremation ash is mostly calcium phosphate - a rock phosphate form that is not soluble, nor plant available. In reality, scattering untreated crematory ashes is not much different than scattering stone or sand. This is the primary reason we have developed our Floramorial process. It offers the innovative alternative of creating a true living memorial containing the essence of the precious companion."

The Floramorial product, a composite of potting soil, cremation ash and a chemical catalyst, converts the rock phosphate in the ash to plant-available phosphate, allowing a plant or tree to absorb the nutrients from the cremation ash to create a living memorial. The concept, originated by company co-founder Frank Strand, led to a research project by Dr. John Swiader, a plant nutrition scientist on the faculty of the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, Urbana, Ill. Swiader, working with Dr. Frank Shields, analytical chemist for Soil Control Lab in Watsonville, Calif., developed the formula that became Floramorial.

Floramorial co-founder and president, Roger Strand, previously worked with his father, Frank, in developing and marketing technology for controlling water disinfection and filtration in the 1980s and 1990s. Frank retired and Roger became a florist after the environmental division of global conglomerate Vivendi purchased their company in 1998. With their backgrounds in electrochemistry and the floral industry, the Strands were well suited for the challenge of developing the science that provides the foundation of Floramorial.

"The reaction to Floramorial has been highly positive," Roger Strand says. "It helps the pet owners achieve closure and peace, which is important. The death of a family pet is often the first death experienced by a child."

Anak & The Japanese Ornamental Tree

"Memories sometimes fade, but now I have a clear reminder of Anak and her life," says Phillip Charlton, of Overland Park, Kan., referring to the tree that his family chose to plant as a living memorial to their dog, Anak. The Charlton's 12-year-old Samoyed died of cancer last September. Charlton says the Japanese ornamental Katsura tree they purchased and planted in Anak's Floramorial soil was perfect for two reasons. "First, Anak loved to chase cats. Secondly, the leaves are heart shaped, similar to an aspen tree, representing her love for Colorado."

Early in their marriage, Charlton and his wife Jennifer took the dog everywhere. "When we traveled to Aspen, we had to stay in the two most expensive hotels because they were the only ones that allowed pets. And later, when our son, Quinlan, was born at home, Anak was there to watch and would always stay close by him."

After Anak was cremated, Charlton contacted Floramorial and was mailed an addressed, postage-paid container to send the ashes to Floramorial. A short time later, Anak's ashes were returned as a nutrient-rich growing medium.

"Quinlan and I spent an afternoon in the backyard, digging the hole for the new tree," he says. "He had a wonderful time using an adult-sized shovel to place one or two clumps of dirt into the wheelbarrow. It was a great bonding experience that I know Anak would have enjoyed. I look at the tree every day and it makes me feel good because it represents something much more than just a beautiful tree to us. It represents the memory of our Anak."

For more information, please visit www.floramorial.com or email [e-mail].