In recent years, there has been a huge increase in the number of ways you can honor loved ones who have passed away. While traditional burials and urns are still popular, loved ones can now choose to take small amounts of their loved ones’ ashes and incorporate them into meaningful, lasting pieces and projects that will keep their loved ones alive for years to come. Here are just a few.
Plant A Tree
One thoughtful option is to turn your loved one’s ashes into a tree. There are a number of ways to do this, but one example is something called a living urn which mixes their ashes with nutrients that can be used to grow a plant or tree in your yard or place of your choosing. These containers are biodegradable and would be really meaningful if your loved one liked to take long walks, loved the outdoors, or was passionate about the environment. Take a look at one option from Bios Urn.
Create A Living Ocean-Floor Legacy
Similar to the tree, there is also now the option to turn your loved one’s ashes into a reef in the ocean. In this option, the ashes are incorporated into something called an eternal reef which is made of environmentally friendly and marine-grade cast concrete reef balls. They are placed on the ocean floor on approved reef sites that create new habitats for ocean creatures.
Jewelry: A Family Heirloom
One of the most popular choices to honor your loved ones is creating a piece of jewelry that holds their ashes. From pendants and bracelets to carefully designed carrier rings, there are all kinds of jewelers who now offer to encapsulate your loved ones’ ashes into their designs. These pieces are usually designed as a way to carry them with you in your everyday life, or as a family heirloom that can be passed through generations.
A Piece Of Art
Another way to get creative in keeping the memory of your loved one alive is to incorporate their ashes into a piece of art, glasswork, or pottery that will be kept at home. In this case, a small portion of their ashes would be included in the materials used to create the piece. You could have the artist paint a landscape that your loved one enjoyed visiting, or even incorporate them into a painting of those who have passed. Similar to the piece of jewelry, this would be a one-of-a-kind piece that would last for generations.
Scattering Ashes Worldwide
Another popular way to honor a loved one is to scatter their remains in places around the world. Although scattering ashes is not new, it is easier and less expensive than many of the options above. It’s also a great way to ensure that they are laid to rest in a place that they loved or new places that they didn’t get to visit when they were alive. Just make sure to do your research. It is illegal to spread ashes on private property and most national parks do require you to get a permit.
When you lose a loved one, there are so many different ways to honor their memory and keep them with you. It’s all about finding the options that feel right for you.
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