All Gave Some, Some Gave All

Active duty service members and veterans are promised several end-of-life benefits by the citizens they served. Burial or interment at a National Cemetery, combined with a headstone, American flag, and a Presidential certificate are all guaranteed. The vessel for burial or interment is an expense that is left to the families of the fallen and deceased. Many families, unable to purchase an urn, return the cremated remains to the cemetery in the cardboard box or plastic bag they were presented in.

Recognizing the honor and dignity his brothers and sisters in arms deserved, a Jacksonville, Florida man took it upon himself to handcraft memorial urns that were befitting the person within.

“It’s really a great project. And, for me, being a veteran, it gets emotional when I’m there. You can’t help but get emotional,” said Mike DelPizzo, 59. “Hearing people who have raised their right hand and promised to defend this country against enemies foreign and domestic, and they passed away and they were forgotten about. Well, they’re no longer forgotten about, at least not here in the Jacksonville area.”

What originally began as an at-need project for the Jacksonville National Cemetery very quickly morphed into a 6-day a week operation in which DelPizzo provides his own materials and time to provide a dignified sendoff. DelPizzo considers it an honor to be able to offer his woodworking expertise to a cause such as this.

Each urn, costing approximately $100 in raw material, takes a week to complete. Each urn stands at 10 inches tall and 7 1/4 inches deep and wide. DelPizzo regards the personal expense as just a small way to pay it forward to soldier’s families.

You can be certain that Jacksonville National Cemetery is not the only one facing a shortage in honorable vessels for our nation’s fallen. Even if you don’t share DelPizzo’s woodworking talent, there are still ways you can help. Contact your local National Cemetery to inquire what their current needs are. They will gladly work with you to accept any donation you can provide.

Another option for paying it forward is available to those who preplan their Veteran’s Cremation, you can talk to the Smart Cremation Smart Family Arranger about donating an extra urn to a recently deceased veteran or service member. Smart Cremation also provides a free Veteran’s Cremation Kit to help you to better understand all of the benefits guaranteed to you thanks to your service to this country. Contact Smart Cremation today! (503) 402-2578

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Published On: January 2nd, 2015Categories: Cremation Planning