Saying goodbye to the ones closest to us is a trying and emotional time for anyone. The funeral arrangements and the memorial can be stressful to organize whilst still coping with our grief. Then you come to the decision of what to do with the ashes. Over the years there have been many ingenious and thoughtful ways to preserve and protect the ashes of your loved one. When it comes to gaining closure, you want the perfect way to respect and memorialize. The important thing is to choose an option that is right for you and will help you on your journey in the future.
1. Scattering
This can be done at one or a number of places important to you or your loved one. Perhaps it will be a place you enjoyed walking together or in an area of beauty. Be conscious of the local law authority and their regulations, as well as when; you want this moment to be private to you and your family.
2. Burial
This can give a peaceful area to return to and remember your loved one, and is much less expensive than a traditional coffin burial.
3. Columbarium
A columbarium is similar to a mausoleum, except it is not the body that is put at rest but the ashes. This again gives you a site to visit with family and friends.
4. Planted As a Tree
This is a thoughtful and cathartic choice, as well as an option which gives you a place to return to. You choose the type of tree as well as the location. Nurturing the sapling into a full grown tree can be a helpful and therapeutic experience.
5. Into a Coral Reef
A relatively new idea, you can have the ashes of your loved one combined with cement which is then used to create an artificial reef. If they loved the ocean, you can give them the opportunity to rest there.
6. Jewelry
There are many options when it comes to having ashes fashioned into jewelry. Pendants for necklaces, an elegant pair of earrings, a stone set into a graceful ring: the options are endless. One of the main positive aspects of this route is that you can carry that person with you wherever you go, and you can pass this item down to your own children as a memento of your loved one, as the items will last forever. The ashes can also be mixed with flower petals – perhaps from their memorial service or from your garden and require only a small amount of the remains.
7. Keep Them at Home
A more traditional choice that works for people is to have the ashes housed in an urn and then kept at home. This means you always have a reminder of your loved one with you. There are many different options for urns nowadays, and you can get bespoke handmade pieces from many different artists.
The task of the ashes is a very important step in the grieving process, and like all significant emotional decisions should not be rushed. Work through ideas, discuss with your loved ones, consider options and take your time to pick what is right for you.
