By JILL MCNEAL
6 News Anchor/Reporter
FARRAGUT (WATE) - A Farragut woman has started a very unique business selling personalized urns. She's encouraging people to plan ahead and design one for themselves before they actually need it.
Rena Amerson got comfortable with death at a young age. Her father passed away when she was just 12 years old.
"To me, it's part of life and it's something we need to deal with," she said.
She wanted to find a way to help people truly celebrate their lives and she decided selling personalized urns was a way to do that.
"The name of it, 'We Urn It,' is lighthearted for what can be a heavy subject," she said.
Amerson said people can design their own urn and have it as a centerpiece in their home while they're still living.
"You set it on your mantel because you think that is one gorgeous piece of pottery that I know I love that I'll be in!" Amerson explained.
Local potters create the urns that start at $150 for pets and $225 for people, depending on your taste.
"You can say you want something that is UT orange and white or something with a certain kind of flower on it," she said.
Amerson's first urn was for her father-in-law, who died in February.
Her mother-in-law, Betty Amerson, chose a special piece to travel with and scatter some of her husband's ashes.
"We had a sailboat and we went out when the sun was setting and we put out rose petals," she said.
Rena Amerson's cousin Connie Ford also bought an urn for a family member.
"It just spoke to me and I knew it belonged to him," Ford said.
Now, Ford is designing her own.
"It says a lot to me when you're going to be cremated to be in something that says you've been here, that matches your personality," Ford said.
Amerson is looking for more potters to work with. If you're interested, or you just want to learn more about "We Urn It," go to their Facebook page or call Amerson at 865-705-3600.
"The name of it, 'We Urn It,' is lighthearted for what can be a heavy subject," Rena Amerson said.
