Any Suggestions? Doing A "in Memory Of" Cake
Decorating By cakesbykitty Updated 25 Jun 2006 , 6:25am by oneprimalscream
I have been honored with an invitation to a Native Alaskan Eskimo 40 day feast. The natives believe when they pass on, their spirit goes into something like pergatory for 40 days, then gets to go to heaven (they explained all this to me). 40 days ago (Sunday) my neighbors best friend's friend died and that friend has been asked by the surviving children to do the 40 day feast (following me? LOL). So, since i was honored with an invitation (I am not only not part of the tribe, but new to Alaska and the neighborhood) i said i would bring a cake... I want to do an "in memory of" cake. I am semi-new to cake decorating and just wondered if you had any suggestions for decor. I was thinking of writing in memory of ----- and doing some sort of flower motif.... I really, really want this to be a nice cake. This is a huge ceremony for them. ANY SUGGESTIONS, ideas, photos, links would be appreciated. I have the 11x15 cake in the oven now and will be decorating it tomorrow. thanks in advance for any ideas you have. Kitty
Wow, that's a tough one. I think it's a great idea, though, and will be a nice tribute.
How about something with nature, since that's what I think about when I think spirit.
Maybe a dove or a bird soaring. Is there a particular bird that has some special meaning in that culture?
Also, maybe certain flowers have meanings as well? Like we use the rose as a symbol for love.
Maybe instead of writing "in memory of _________" you could write "a tribute to ___________" or "in honor of ___________" since the spirit is still alive.
Sorry I really don't know anything about the tribe so just throwing ideas out there. I'll keep thinking.
I would probably check with your neighbor or the friend (i'm confused about who actually died)....or whomever would be familiar with the custom and ask them what would be appropriate. You wouldn't want to accidentally offend anyone during this special and sensitive time.
All of projectqueen's suggestions are good ones, I'll add my 2 cents. Can you get an edible image made? Have someone contribute a good photo of the person, have it made into an edible image, and then surround the image with anything on projectqueen's list. That's what I'd do.
Have to tried to google Native Alaskan Eskimo Feast and see if there is any information on customs for when people die? Maybe you could get some ideas there.
You definitely want to make sure you don't offend anyone, especially since you are doing it with the best of intentions and want to make it very special.
I'm not sure about an edible image of the person - then people would have to eat it. Might want to run that by your neighbor first. Also, your neighbor would probably be a good one to ask for suggestions as well.
You may find this link helpful. It has details of there traditions explained you may even make a totem pole cake. I hope this helps.
http://www.questconnect.org/ak_native_culture.htm
I would too ask your neighbor about pictures, etc. I know in a lot of beliefs people would take offense to having their deceased on food or such. If you don't want to ask because obviously your neighbor is dealing with other things, maybe you should just do flowers or something "neutral". If you were able to obtain any information about the deceased's hobbys, likes, etc, maybe you could use those. I probably wouldn't write anything, because that can be a little controversial. Maybe covering the entire cake in swirls and then random flowers? Something simple, something light?
If you have any photographs, maybe do some edible images.
Something kind of like this, but maybe with varying colors, and some floral arrangement spiraling down over the layers.
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