All Episodes

May 6, 2025 40 mins

What ignites the creation of a memorial service product that embodies personal stories and environmental consciousness?

Life Art's innovative cremation containers, introduced by Nikki Nordine and Brent Thorson of TerryBear, bring a new dimension to honoring loved ones with personalized, eco-friendly designs. Inspired by global trends and consumer demands for sustainability and personalization, these containers offer families a dignified send-off that transcends the conventional cardboard box. This unique product allows for an aesthetic that beautifully encapsulates a life well-lived.

Key Takeaways

1. The company TerryBear was founded by a man named Terry, who initially started by selling plush teddy bears. Over time, the business pivoted to importing brass ware, which led to the development of pet urns after discovering a specific use case by a client. TerryBear is now a major urn and memorial item distributor.

2. The industry has evolved from offering limited options like bronze and hardwood urns to a broad range of materials, including brass and eco-friendly options. This evolution reflects a shift towards meeting consumer demand for personalization and eco-conscious products.

3. LifeArt is a cremation container product that combines eco-friendliness with personalization, using designs that reflect individuals' lives. LifeArt aims to offer a more celebratory and fitting send-off than traditional cardboard cremation boxes.

4. Consumer preferences and internet searches have greatly influenced the trends in the funeral industry, with increasing demand for personalized and environmentally friendly options. Companies like TerryBear are responding by developing products that meet these contemporary needs.

5. The future of the funeral industry is leaning towards complete personalization, allowing families to create cremation containers that fully capture the life story of their loved ones. This concept emphasizes the importance of choice and individual expression within funeral practices.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 TerryBear's Brass Trade Ventures

06:04 Unexpected Career in Cremation Industry

07:27 Eco-Friendly Funeral Trends Rising

09:52 Internet Transforms Funeral Planning

15:10 Cremation Choices: Ash Variance Explained

18:39 Personalizing Funeral Options

22:28 Ensuring Informed Family Choices

25:16 Regret and Passion for Knowledge

26:36 Thumbprint Jewelry in Funerals

30:46 "Personalized Cremation Containers"

33:16 Digital Memorial Customization

38:42 "Understanding Cemetery Rules for Life Art"

Subscribe to The Final Curtain Never Closes on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Plan your visit to the museum today!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist

It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.