Cremation Ashes
2009 July 28 by Emily
When a loved one passes away, there are a myriad of options to choose from when deciding what to do with the body-burial, cremation, cryogenic freezing. Although all are viable choices, cremation in particular has become increasingly popular in the United States. Perhaps this is because cremation allows for a more personal touch. Instead of being buried in the ground (and potentially harming the environment), there are a multitude of choices for keeping or spreading cremated ashes, from collecting them in a standard urn to sending them into space.
While reading articles and posts between people discussing what they wished their loved ones would do with their ashes, a recurring trend appeared. Many people mentioned they wanted their ashes spread somewhere they loved, places like an old childhood home or a favorite vacation spot.
In one particular story, a daughter spreads her mother’s ashes in nine different locations.
- Her garden, among the pansies and geraniums, her mother’s favorite flowers.
- Her grandparent’s home, where her mother spent most of her childhood.
- Her mother’s first home that she lived in with her husband, “a tiny shack in the woods.”
- The home her mother raised her children in, where the author lived in until she was 9.
- The Forum, Trevi Fountain, and Spanish Steps in Italy, her mother’s favorite place in the world.
- The city of Assisi, one of her mother’s favorite cities in Italy.
- The Grand Canal in Venice, a place her mother always adored.
This author’s accounts show that there are no limitations to how many places you can spread your loved one’s ashes. Because there are usually 5 to 6 pounds of ashes after cremation, they can easily be divided up to give to different family members, or be scattered in various places.
Among the articles read, many people said they wanted their relatives to each take a portion of their ashes and spread them somewhere either they loved or would have loved to visit. One woman wrote that she wanted her ashes spread on the land of her childhood home, which burned down when she was 17. Another person, self-described as an avid hiker, said he wanted his ashes spread on his favorite hiking trail.
In every case, the ashes are spread somewhere meaningful, a place that holds special importance for the deceased. Whether it’s a backyard garden or a fountain in Italy, a loved one’s ashes will always be a part of something they love.
