Cremation Ashes
What to do with Cremation Ashes
There is no time more difficult than the loss of a loved one. This time of pain and loss lasts a long time and throughout the grieving process, it can be somewhat confusing about what actions to take, particularly with the ashes of your loved one. In order to make the right decision, it is helpful to know all the options available to you. In this article, we have described how people have dealt with the ashes of their cremated loved ones in the past and perhaps, one of these ideas will stand out with you in dealing with your loved one’s ashes.
To set the scene, people tend to default to ‘whatever everyone else does’ and this is not necessarily the best option for you. Down the road, you may look back and think, I wish I had done… At the time, it doesn’t seem like an important decision, but it is. It is where you may have laid your loved one to rest.
Scattering Cremation Ashes
Many loved ones have their ashes scattered at a loved location. Loved can take many shapes.
Places relevant to the Deceased
It could be a loved location that the deceased visited and had fond memories of like a campground they went to with family, a sports arena of their favourite team, a lake/park they frequently walked around, a golf course where they played golf weekly, scattering at sea or many other places of relevance to the deceased. These ideas are all relevant to the deceased and their life.
Places not relevant to the Deceased
Sometimes it makes more sense to scatter cremations ashes in a location not so relevant to the deceased. If the deceased or locations relevant to the deceased, are not nearby where the loved ones are currently living and the loved ones wish to have them close, locations could be out of the deceased’s local vicinity. It could simply be a location which is nearby/common to all the family so that they can frequently visit.
Alternatively, it could be a place that feels peaceful like a lake with few visitors, a remote area with a beautiful tree or wildlife all of which are symbolic of life and can provide comfort to those grieving who can rest there and remember their loved one fondly and peacefully. Sometimes, a bench or seating area can be located with a dedication to the loved one so that family can always have a place to sit and talk to them. Many find this more comforting that talking to a gravestone because it removes the visualisation that their loved one is gone making it easier to connect with them spiritually.
Keeping Cremation Ashes
Often, loved ones wish to keep the ashes of their loved ones. This can help reduce the feeling of loss and it can be comforting to have the ashes nearby to talk to, pray with or simply to include in household events.
Cremation Urns
There are a variety of cremation Urns available. These vary from plain wood to highly decorative metal and stone. The choice of an Urn can be for many reasons, from cost, size, biodegradability or one that reflects the personality of the lost loved one. This is a significant decision as the Urn may be kept in a house and in prominent display.
There are significant cost-effective benefits to keeping an Urn at home. Convenience of transport and not needing to pay for a burial plot or memorial garden.
Interment of Ashes
Interment of ashes is simply storing ashes in a permanent place. There are a few options when it comes to cremation ash interment:
Burial of Cremation Ashes
Burial of ashes is also known as Interment of ashes. As cremations are becoming more common, some cemeteries have areas dedicated to the burying of ashes. Plots cost much less as they are much smaller which is also considered more environmentally friendly. This is also a good compromise if undecided about burial or cremation.
Columbarium
A columbarium is a (typically) public place specifically to store Urns of cremation ash (cinerary urns) sometimes called a cremation niche. They are usually located at a cemetery, church or funeral home and provide a space large enough to house an Urn and some small keepsakes. These spaces are designed to be attractive and peaceful and can be a very attractive place to store ashes of a loved one. The downside is the cost and that many other urns are stored there also.
Ashes made into Keepsakes
More and more keepsakes are being developed from or containing the ashes of loved ones. You can explore the internet for a multitude of options but here are a few that are a little more common. Jewellery and home decorations can have stones or glass made from, or with cremation ashes. These can be items to wear oneself or as a decorative piece. They can be necklaces, rings, bracelets, earrings or just about anything you can think of.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help with what to do with the ashes of your loved one and want to learn more about what cremation options you have.