What to do with the ashes?

WHAT to do with the ashes?

Once a deceased loved one is cremated, there are many different options for what to do with the ashes. Some people choose to bury them in a cemetery, keep them at home in an urn or even turn them into beautiful pieces of cremation jewellery or memorial art.

Others decide, whether at the request of the deceased or due to personal reasons, to scatter the cremated remains somewhere. Along with the choice to scatter, however, comes a whole new set of decisions to be made. In particular, where those remains should be disbursed?

For this reason, why not consider a pre-planned and pre-paid funeral plan?

Then you can make all these decisions your self and take the strain off your loved ones when the time comes. Golden Leaves are currently offering €150 off all pre-paid funeral plans through November, so now is a great time to get your paperwork in order.

The choice to be cremated is a really important part of your funeral plan; we spoke with Emma who is a Funeral plan expert from Golden Leaves who shared with us some of the most common places and also some new unique ideas for you to include in your plan, after all, it should be you who gets to chose where your remains will spend the rest of eternity.

1. Private Property

Many folks choose to keep the cremains of their loved one close to them by scattering their ashes on their own private property, like in the garden or around a nearby tree. If you choose to have your ashes scattered on private land that belongs to someone else, however, such as in a field or on a farm, be sure to obtain the landowner’s permission in advance of the ceremony. Another thing to keep in mind when scattering on private property is whether your family will have the right to visit that property in the future.

2. Water

Another popular way to scatter cremation ashes is to do so across a body of water, such as a river, stream, lake or ocean. Public bodies of water don’t typically require a license or any special permissions to scatter cremated remains, however, you should be careful not to do so near an extraction point, or where people fish or swim. (Your local environmental agency should be able to help with this.) Keep in mind, also, that locations on or near the water can be windy, so be sure to check the conditions beforehand.

3. Mountains/Hilltops

Hilltops and mountains can provide a beautiful setting in which to say goodbye. One thing to consider, however, is how ashes can impact plant life. While cremains are non-toxic, it’s still advisable to avoid scattering ashes where plant ecosystems are more fragile, such as on mountain peaks. Popular climbing areas can also make it difficult to find privacy. And, like bodies of water, mountains and hilltops can be windy, so keep this in mind when planning your ceremony.

4. Scatter Gardens

Typically located at a cemetery or crematorium, scatter gardens provide a lovely place for your remains to spend eternity and a serene location for family and friends to visit after. These are areas designated specifically for the scattering of cremated remains. Every facility is different, but some offer additional ways to honour the deceased, including plaques, statues or plants, so that may also be an option.

5. Sporting Venues

If you’re an avid sports fan, you may wish to request that the scattering ceremony be held at your favourite stadium, complex or arena. Whether or not this is an option will ultimately depend on the specific policy of the facility in question. Your funeral director may be able to assist you in approaching the venue’s owner to ask permission.

One important thing to point out when it comes to scattering ashes is that there are certain rules and regulations surrounding the process. For instance, some locations require that advanced permission be granted, paperwork be completed and sometimes even licenses be obtained. Others may simply request notification in advance. It’s wise to check your local laws prior to making plans to avoid any unexpected and unpleasant surprises.

During the month of November Golden Leaves are offering a huge €150 off all pre-paid funeral plans, so why not contact them and see if they can accommodate your wishes?