It’s amazing where those ashes end up

As the growth in cremation continues, the matter of

what happens to cremated remains becomes more

significant. There are two basic options that people

assume they will chose from; scattering or burying.

However, even when families have clear instructions or

a plan of their own, ashes do not necessarily end up

where you would think.

One issue is that the deceased – or their family – may

have a fixed idea about scattering the ashes in

particular place, such as a sports ground, which turns

out to be impossible. Sports grounds are places which

can have great significance to people and families; they

have probably spent some of their best (and worst!)

days watching their team at the local or even national

home of their sport. Unfortunately, this has led to many

sporting associations banning the scattering of ashes

because of the sheer number of requests. However,

many have risen to the challenge by creating memorial

gardens for this purpose, which is a great way of

meeting the needs of families whilst protecting the

pitch itself.

Another popular idea is scattering ashes at beauty spots

or at sea. The trouble here is that it is often quite hard

to organise and does not always turn out how the

family hoped or expected. Can everyone get up a hill or

to the bank of a stream? Will the ashes have an

adverse impact on the environment? Will people feel

too seasick to be able to concentrate on the scattering?

It is also essential that the ‘scatterer’ thinks about

which way the wind is blowing!

Spreading the ashes far and wide is becoming popular,

via fireworks, from a balloon or aircraft, even by birds.

Clearly this is something that can only be participated in

at a limited level. The family have to trust that the

ashes are scattered where they hoped and they won’t

be there at the moment of release. This goes double

for ashes sent up into space.

The strangest – and saddest – thing that happens to

ashes though is....nothing. Many families put them

aside, with the idea that they will plan a suitable

disposal method later but they never get around to it.

This is not the same as purposefully holding on to a

beautiful urn which is a focal point of remembrance,

but more of an aimless drift, in which families put off a

decision until it is almost impossible to make one. If

there is one thing Funeral Directors can do to help with

cremations, it is assisting families in making that final

decision.

For more information in the UK, visit

www.scatteringashes.co.uk

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