What do you want to do with the ashes of your loved one?

Once the funeral is over and you have the ashes of your loved one, there are quite a few different ways you can dispose of the ashes which are respectful and may help with the grieving process.

• They can be interred in a family gravesite of placed in a niche in a columbarium wall in a local cemetery
• They can be sprinkled on the crematorium's rose garden
• Or, you may wish to sprinkle them in a family garden, park or bushland that may have been special to the loved one
• A specially made birdbath can be used with the ashes filling a void in the base.  This is sealed and then the birdbath becomes a permanent memorial in your garden
• Ashes can be turned into diamond like gem stones.  There are several companies who offer this service and a search on the internet will provide a choice.  One is www.ashesintoglass.co.uk
• Scattering of ashes over a favourite piece of water is a popular option.  With permission, ashes may be scattered at sea or in a lake or river.
• Ashes may become part of a memorial reef, or sunk to the bottom of the ocean in a slowly dissolving, eco-friendly container.
• Trenching is putting the ashes in a shallow hole in the ground and then covering them.  Often used at a favourite outdoor spot.
• Beaching is selecting a quite, remote beach and burying the ashes in the sand.  Friends and family can watch as the tide comes in and washes the ashes out to sea.
• Some sports lovers request that their ashes be scattered at their favourite sports club. You will need to get permission of course.
• Ashes can be sent into the sky in a fireworks rocket.  One company that provides this service is Pyro Oz at www.1300fireworks.com.
• Ashes can  also be scattered from an aeroplane. One company is  www.memoryflight.com.au
• Made into a vinyl record. www.andvinyly.com
• They can be placed into the foundations of a building which has special links to the deceased
• The ashes can help a tree to grow by being placed into a biodegradable urn under a newly planted sapling.  In time, the urn disintegrates and the ashes help to feed the roots of the tree.