After a loved one’s cremation, families often face the question: what to do with cremation ashes? This decision is deeply personal, often shaped by emotional considerations.
Cremation offers a range of possibilities to memorialize ashes and this article explores various options.
Keeping Ashes in an Urn
The most common choice is to keep cremation ashes in an urn, which can be placed in a home, a columbarium, or a cemetery niche.
Urns come in diverse materials, such as wood, metal, or biodegradable options, and can be customized.
For families in cultures where ancestral reverence is central, like parts of Africa or Asia, keeping an urn at home can provide a tangible connection to the loved one.
Scattering Ashes in a Meaningful Location
Scattering ashes is a popular way to memorialize ashes. It offers a sense of freedom and connection to a special place. Families might choose a location significant to the deceased, such as a favorite beach, mountain, or garden.
In some cultures, scattering in rivers or natural settings holds spiritual significance, as seen in Hindu traditions with the Ganges. However, local regulations, especially in countries with strict environmental or cultural guidelines, must be considered.
Creating Memorial Keepsakes
Small portions of ashes can be incorporated into pendants, rings, or glass ornaments, allowing family members to carry a piece of their loved one close.
Other keepsakes, like custom artwork or sculptures infused with ashes, are also gaining popularity.
Eco-Friendly Options
Biodegradable urns, designed to naturally decompose, can be buried or placed in water, returning ashes to the earth sustainably.
Another meaningful option is planting a tree with ashes, creating a living memorial that grows over time.
Deciding what to do with cremation ashes is a deeply personal process, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. At Omega Funeral Home we’re here to guide families through the array of cremation ash options, from urns and scattering to keepsakes and eco-friendly memorials.
