Things You Can Do With Cremated Remains
Losing a loved one is never easy, but there are many ways to honor their memory and keep them close to your heart. For those choosing cremation, the ashes can be honored in many creative and meaningful ways. While some options are unconventional, there are many traditional things you can do with cremated remains to memorialize someone who has died. All of these options allow you to keep their memory alive in a way that feels personal and special to you.
Burial
One of the most traditional ways to honor someone who has passed away is to bury their remains in a cemetery. This allows them to have a permanent resting place where family and friends can visit to pay their respects. For those who choose to cremate their loved one, burying their ashes in a cemetery is a way to keep them close to home and preserve their memory. Many cemeteries offer a variety of options for interring cremated remains, including burial plots, urn gardens, and columbaria.
Scattering
Scattering the cremated remains of a loved one is a beautiful way to release them back into nature. It allows for a peaceful and organic return to the earth, which can be especially meaningful for those who held a deep connection to nature during their lifetime. There are many locations that offer scattering services, including national parks, private properties, in a body of water, or even at home in your own backyard. If you choose to scatter in a public area, make sure it's not restricted by law.
Prominent Home Placement
For those who prefer to keep their loved one's remains close, placing them in a decorative urn in a prominent place in your home can be a comforting option. This way, they can always be a part of your daily life and serve as a reminder of the memories and love shared.
Keepsake Jewelry
In addition to the many other ways people may choose to commemorate their loved ones who have passed away, some individuals may opt to incorporate their remains into a piece of jewelry or artwork, which can serve as a unique and personal way to keep them close by for years to come.
Solidified Remains
For those who wish to preserve their loved one's remains in a more tangible form, solidifying the ashes into stones can be a beautiful option. The process involves mixing the ashes with a binding agent, such as resin or cement, and shaping them into the desired form. This can create a lasting memorial that can be displayed in a garden or other special location. The solidified remains can serve as a reminder of the memories shared and the love that was shared, providing comfort and solace in times of grief.
Create a Diamond
Creating a diamond from cremated remains is a stunning and unique option. By using high pressure and heat, carbon is extracted from the remains and subsequently turned into a diamond. These cremation diamonds can be placed in a piece of jewelry or kept as a standalone keepsake. While this option may be more expensive, it offers a one-of-a-kind way to honor and remember your loved one.
Launch into Space
Another unique option is sending their ashes into space. For a fee, companies such as Celestis will launch a spacecraft containing the remains into orbit or on a trajectory to deep space. This can be a symbolic way to honor their life and their love of the unknown, and can offer a sense of comfort in knowing their memory will be forever etched in the cosmos.
Coral Reef
If your loved one was passionate about marine life, incorporating their remains in a coral reef might be a fitting tribute. There are companies, such as Eternal Reefs, that mix the cremated remains with concrete to form artificial reefs. These reefs are then placed in the ocean, providing a new habitat for marine life to thrive. It's a unique way to honor their memory and contribute to the conservation of the ocean's ecosystems.
Incorporate in a Tattoo
One of the more unconventional options is incorporating the cremated remains into a tattoo. This involves mixing the ashes with tattoo ink and using it to create a permanent design on the skin. While it may not be for everyone, it can be a deeply personal way to keep your loved one with you at all times. The tattoo can be as simple or as elaborate as you want, and the ink can be placed almost anywhere on the body.
Press Into a Vinyl Record
If your loved one was a music fan, incorporating their remains into a vinyl record might be an excellent choice. Companies like Andvinyly allow you to press your cremated remains into a personalized vinyl record, complete with album art and music. It's a unique way to keep their memory and favorite songs alive, all while offering you a physical way to connect with their memory.
With so many options for cremated remains available, there really is no reason to put the ashes of someone you love on a shelf in a closet.