We Just Had a Tidal Wave in the Middle of Nowhere, Texas Casket Maker Donates Free Urns to Families Hit by Hill Country Floods

In the heart of Texas Hill Country, where the Guadalupe River once shimmered peacefully under the July sun, tragedy struck with a ferocity few could have anticipated. Over the Fourth of July weekend, deadly floods surged through towns like Kerrville, rising 26 feet in just 45 minutes. The sudden deluge claimed dozens of lives, leaving devastation and heartbreak in its wake.

But amid the sorrow, a beacon of humanity emerged—not from a large corporation, not from a distant relief agency, but from a family-owned funeral design business with deep Texas roots. SoulShine Industries, led by owner Trey Ganem, is stepping in to help, one urn and custom casket at a time.

“We’re just trying to bring light in the darkness,” Ganem shared in an emotional interview with MySA, as his voice trembled with both resolve and remembrance. The company has pledged to provide personalized caskets and cremation urns—free of charge—to families impacted by the floods.

A Personal Mission Turned Public Purpose

For Ganem, this isn’t just business—it’s deeply personal. Kerrville, one of the areas hit hardest, is where he spent his earliest years. “I loved going to the little streams and rivers that go through there,” he recalled. “We used to go fishing and sit in the water just playing. Basically what these kids were doing.”

That nostalgic connection is part of what makes the tragedy so haunting for him. Referring to the children at summer camps in Kerr County who were caught in the rising waters, Ganem added, “I couldn’t imagine all of a sudden just being swept away… It’s like we just had a tidal wave in the middle of nowhere.”

And in response to that unimaginable pain, SoulShine Industries chose not to stand by in silence. Instead, they are using their craftsmanship to help these grieving families find comfort, identity, and dignity as they say goodbye.

More Than Just a Box

SoulShine’s creations aren’t your standard funeral products. Each urn and casket is a personalized tribute, often designed with meaningful symbols—favorite colors, hobbies, themes that capture a loved one’s essence. “We believe every life deserves to be honored in a way that reflects who they truly were,” said Ganem.

From angel wings and cowboy boots to military insignias and sports team logos, the attention to detail transforms what could be a painful experience into a meaningful remembrance.

In an industry where high-quality urns can cost hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars, this act of giving carries not just financial relief but emotional grace.

Floods That Changed Lives Forever

The flood itself was unlike anything locals had ever witnessed. Sudden torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to swell at an astonishing rate—26 feet in under an hour. Entire campsites, homes, and roadways were swept away. Emergency responders worked tirelessly, but the scope of the disaster quickly overwhelmed resources.

For families already struggling with the sudden loss of children, siblings, or parents, the thought of planning a funeral—let alone paying for it—felt like a second wave of trauma.

That’s where Trey Ganem and SoulShine’s team stepped in. And while no amount of wood or paint can erase grief, these gifts offer something rare: a moment of human kindness, at a time when the world feels upside down.

Honoring Lives, One Urn at a Time

At Dei Gratia Urns, we understand that behind every urn lies a story—a love shared, a laugh remembered, a life that mattered. We are moved by the work of SoulShine Industries and their commitment to restoring dignity through design.

This story isn’t just about death—it’s about how we respond to loss, how we show up for strangers when life crumbles. It’s about community, compassion, and the belief that honoring someone’s final chapter is sacred.

For Ganem, it’s also about faith. “I feel like God put me here to help people in these moments,” he says. “That’s why we do this. Not for money. For meaning.”

And families across Texas are echoing that sentiment, many saying that the custom urns and caskets gave them not just a place to lay their loved ones to rest—but a place to begin healing.

A Call to Support

Ganem isn’t asking for praise. But he is asking for awareness. “People need to know there are families out there right now trying to figure out how to bury their child,” he said.

To those who want to help, SoulShine Industries is accepting donations to expand their relief efforts. Meanwhile, they continue working around the clock, designing and delivering tributes across the state.

Their work reminds us that in moments of unimaginable loss, we are still capable of extraordinary kindness.