What Do We Do with a Loved One's Ashes?
The options for scattering or keeping cremated remains
What to do with a loved one's ashes or cremated remains?
Recent research indicates an increasing preference by those client families taking out a fixed price funeral plan, for cremation over burial.
Whilst many of those opting for cremation have cited cost or concern for the environment as determining factors, others have based their decisions upon a change of heart by the Roman Catholic Church. Since 1983 a revision of Vatican canon law has allowed both cremation and burial as means of honouring the body of a deceased Catholic.
But the still unanswered question for many people in favour of cremation is, what to do with a loved one’s ashes, or cremated remains as they are referred to by those in the funeral industry. In fact there are many ways to memorialise cremated remains – some fairly obvious, some not so.
Disperse Them
Some people may opt to have the ashes placed in the ground, in a wall niche or columbarium at a cemetery; others may decide to scatter them on a private property or at a place that held some special significance for the deceased. It’s important to remember however that before ashes can be scattered on public property, such as a beach, park, or football field, permission must be sought from the appropriate authority.
Wear them
Did you know that you can have the ashes incorporated into custom jewelry pieces like rings, necklaces, or bracelets? Some people have chosen to have some of their loved ones cremated remains placed inside a pendant worn around the neck.Â
Another ‘jewellery’ option is to have a small portion of the cremated remains crushed into a gemstone that’s identical to a natural diamond. This process, with the aid of modern technology will take just a few months to accomplish.
Send them sky high
One company has suggested that someone who was a nature lover or a devotee of water sport, might like to have his or her ashes turned into an artificial coral reef which can be placed on the sea bed or if for you the sky’s not the limit, why not consider having yours or your loved ones cremated remains shot into outer space. One American company is currently offering a number of options for the ‘celestial’ disposition of cremated remains, but be warned, all come with sky high price tags.
Another unique yet personal way to commemorate the loss of a loved one is by scattering their cremated ashes high into the sky by way of a beautiful and spectacular fireworks display.
"If it's legal, it's possible"
Return them to Nature
Tobin Brothers Funerals offer a bio-degradable urn that transforms into a living memorial in the form of a tree. This is a unique way to return cremated remains to nature while creating a lifelong tribute that will grow with you and your family on your property to revisit as you wish. You can view our Tree Urn on the website so you can grow a tree memory of your loved one.
Choosing more than one option
When having your loved ones cremated remains returned to you you are not limited to just one receptacle. You are able to choose multiple keepsakes to distribute between family members, if some want to scatter the ashes and some want to keep them this can be a lovely compromise. Chat to your Funeral Planner about the possibilities and logistics of this.
If there is an option you have heard about and haven’t seen here, reach out to discuss how we can assist you in honouring your loved one and your own wishes too.
At Tobin Brothers, if it is legal, it’s possible.
Traditional Urns and Keepsakes
If you would like a traditional urn or keepsake to hold onto the cremated remains, we at Tobin Brothers Funerals offer a range of beautifully crafted urns and keepsakes which you can view right now on our website:
Wendy Goy
Training and HR Manager, Tobin Brothers Funerals
Funeral Personalisation Options
If it's legal, it's possible. See our Funeral Personalisation Options for more ideas.
