Quinn's Memorial Ceremony

These are some photos of Quinn's memorial ceremony. Lama Lobsang Palden was the officiant, and did a most beautiful ceremony. We chose to have it in our backyard because Quinn loved it so much there. He was cremated at Valhalla crematorium. We don't believe in non bio-degradable boxes and embalming a body in noxious and toxic chemicals that eventually end up leaching into the earth. Funeral homes weren't Quinn's thing, nor are they ours. He was born at home and it seemed fitting that he be able to be remembered there as well.

	This is the altar, all set up. The candles are offerings to the spirit (Quinn), and the food, as well. The incense purifies the space.
A close-up of the finished altar.
	Before the ceremony began, the family all lit the candles of offering to Quinn. That's me in the flowered dress, next to my mother-in-law, Cathy. The couple you see are my sister-in-law and her husband, Kirstin and Bill.
After we processed from the house in a line, Lama blew the conch shell to purify the space and to signify the beginning of the ceremony.
	Lama led us in the Chenrezig chant and we all prayed and chanted "Om Mani Peme Hung" to help Quinn up out of this world and to ease his transition into the next level of being.
We spiraled in a circle around the yard chanting, "Om Mani Peme Hung" all the while, raising the energy and keeping it moving upward to help Quinn up and out.
	This is a full- yard view of everyone during setup. I just added it because you can see our home and many of our friends and family in it. Photos are courtesy of my friend Sharon who graciously offered to take them for us.

This is the board we made for Quinn for his ceremony and for ourselves. Josh and I created it together. As we were tearing up the tissue paper for this project, I said to Josh, "This is a metaphor for our lives right now. Everything is torn to pieces, but hopefully we'll be able to put them back together and make something beautiful." I love how art reflects life like that, so perfectly. We are particularly proud of this board and is now hangs in our living room as the centerpiece. Just as Quinn was the centerpiece of our lives.