The Surprising Objects that Reveal the Deep Emotions of Grief
Discover the profound stories behind treasured keepsakes in the poignant book Saved: Objects of the Dead From a prosthetic leg to a metal colander, this captivating exploration delves into the power of memory and the intricate ways in which we mourn the loss of our loved ones
After Jody Servons father died, she kept his hairbrush safe in a Ziploc bag.
"That way it still preserved his smell," the artist and professor said over Zoom.
In 2006, Servon had a challenging year, experiencing the loss of three dear friends. Seeking solace in her grief, she collaborated with a photographer to capture the essence of two inanimate objects that held a peculiar intimacy to her: her late grandfather's dentures and a hairbrush. The dentures were unexpectedly mailed to her by her aunt, who found them while cleaning out her grandfather's house. The surprise of receiving such an unexpected package left Servon astonished.
Her project grew from there. In the years since, she has gathered the stories behind dozens of objects that people have kept after their loved ones died.
A pair of porcelain lamps featured in "Saved: Objects of the Dead." Scroll through to see more images from the book.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
"She was trying to preserve it but was also wearing and washing it," artist Jody Servon said of an interviewee who had kept her father's old boy scout shirt.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
A prosthetic leg belonging to an amputee, preserved by his daughter. The accompanying prose by Delaney-Ullman suggests that she has considered the idea of transforming the leg into a lamp. This information is derived from interviews conducted with the owners of these items.
"He never spoke of the forks his son found in the Bavarian apartment, though he loved to talk," Delaney-Ullman writes in the book. "Now they're not nearly as shiny."
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
This metal colander is among the everyday items that Servon's interviewees selected for the project.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
"This entry criticizes it as a subpar tool for scraping," says the passage, further mentioning the previous owner's knack for collecting tools. "Within his garage workshop, a treasure trove of tools resided, with which, according to his grandson, you could repair almost anything."
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
This item tells the story of a woman, Elaine, who sewed and sold star-shaped gifts prior to her murder.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
A woman's high-school diploma, kept by her daughter after her death.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
The scapular, a religious vestment, is cherished by the descendants of a devout Catholic woman. Notably, the family recounts how their mother became fixated on sightings of Mary and led them to visit Nancy Fowler, the visionary of Conyers, GA. It is believed that the Virgin Mary occasionally reveals herself in a farmhouse or manifests as a sign in the sun.
"Saved: Objects of the Dead," published by Artsuite (Wilson, NC), is available now.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
The possessions people keep when their loved ones die
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"Working on the project provided me solace and a platform to process my grief. It also gave me the opportunity to share these extraordinary tales of ordinary objects that held great importance for others," said Servon, an art management program coordinator at Appalachian State University.
Based on a decade's worth of interviews with friends, students, and members of her North Carolina community, Servon's latest book, "Saved: Objects of the Dead," is a poignant exploration of sorrow. Collaborating with Lorene Delany-Ullman, who penned the accompanying narratives for each item, the book showcases not only traditional heirlooms such as jewelry but also remnants of everyday life—a worn leather card holder, a bent metal colander, a plastic scraper tool.
After cataloging all 12,795 items in her house, the photographer discovered various objects that served as tangible reminders of their previous owners. Among them was the prosthetic leg of an amputee, which holds a sentimental memory of his daughter joking about transforming it into a vacuum cleaner while he cooked in the kitchen. Since his passing, she has now contemplated repurposing the leg into a lamp, as revealed by Delany-Ullman.
According to Delaney-Ullman's research, Grace incorporates Alan's hairbrush into her daily routine, believing that their individual strands of hair intertwine amongst the curved bristles.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman's website, savedobjectsofthedead.com, features an interesting artifact - a hairbrush that still holds the hair of its previous owner, just like the one Servon's father used. The accompanying description states, "Grace incorporates Alan's hairbrush into her daily routine, believing that their individual strands intertwine amidst the bristles."
Content is rewritten as follows:
Other items serve as poignant reminders of unrealized potential and lives cut short. The tiny tuxedo, worn by an infant who passed away, yet cherished for more than twenty years, bears witness to a mother's enduring sorrow. An ordinary pinecone, held dear by a friend of a breast cancer victim, not only shares the tale of the woman's demise but also that of her teenage daughter, tragically murdered.
"I used to believe that when someone dies, there is a limited period in which one can openly discuss it or offer condolences," expressed Servon. "However, that individual never truly leaves you, their love remains ingrained, and the grief persists. Hence, people yearn to hear about cherished memories and the mention of their loved one's name."
A slot machine kept by its former owners' niece, who recalls playing with it as a child.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman/savedobjectsofthedead.com
Power of memory
Servon and Delany-Ullman claim that the project has provided therapy for both the interviewees and themselves. Servon utilized this opportunity to establish connections with individuals, utilizing the objects as a means to address sensitive subjects. During the interviews, each participant was requested to select one possession which they would discuss along with its previous owner.
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According to Servon, this experience has revolutionized his communication skills. He believes that being there for someone goes far beyond simply delivering a casserole. It involves actively listening, providing support, and fostering companionship whenever feasible. This aspect of his work has had a profound impact on him.
A woman's high-school diploma, kept by her daughter after her death, is among dozens of objects featured in the book.
Jody Servon and Lorene Delany-Ullman, the creators of savedobjectsofthedead.com, have also witnessed the impact their project has on strangers. In one instance, Servon recounted a conversation with a café worker at a museum. After explaining the project to her, the worker opened up about the heartbreaking loss of her sons. Despite being strangers, this encounter left a lasting impression on Servon, making them realize the power of shared stories.
Servon and Delany-Ullman also encourage individuals to participate in the project by sharing photos of their cherished objects alongside a personal story or poem through the project's social media platforms. The submissions, like those found in the book, vary greatly but convey a shared theme: holding onto something can aid in the process of moving on.
According to Servon, "Grief doesn't completely vanish; rather, it transforms and develops."
"Saved: Objects of the Dead," published by Artsuite (Wilson, NC), is available now.
