What to do with ashes

After a cremation, you’ll be faced with the decision of where you want your loved one’s final resting place to be. With cremations becoming increasingly popular in the UK, there are so many unique and wonderful ways in which you can honour your loved one’s ashes.  

Nowadays, one in every 25 funerals arranged by Co-op are direct cremations. Yet, according to the Co-op’s Changing Face of Funerals report, one in ten (9%) of people who have arranged a cremation say that can’t decide what to do with their loved one’s ashes.  

We’ve pulled together some of the most popular ideas, along with some heart-warming stories from members of the GreenAcres team, to inspire you to find the perfect goodbye. 

Have them crafted into jewellery 

Memorial jewellery can help you feel close to your loved one. Enabling you to carry them with you wherever you go. Whether you choose a ring, bracelet, pendant, cufflinks or brooch, the ashes can be imprinted directly onto the jewellery or a resin gem, providing comfort through every stage of your life.  

The multi-award winning Ashes Memorial Jewellery uses innovative technology to turn ashes into beautiful keepsake pieces. Similarly, EverWith Memorial Jewellery specialises in creating beautiful, bespoke keepsakes in memory of loved ones who have passed away. 

Scatter the ashes somewhere special 

Scattering a loved one’s ashes is one of the most common ways to say goodbye. 28% of people have them scattered at a crematorium, while 17% scatter them in a special landmark or beauty spot. 

Some of the most popular ideas include scattering the ashes at sea or somewhere that meant a lot to your loved one. You can also have the ashes scattered from a plane where they can roam free forever more.  

Many of our families have recently asked about Viking burials. While Viking burials are illegal in the UK, you can have ashes sent off to sea or on a lake in a Viking ship. 

One of our recently bereaved widows is planning on buying a casket for her husband’s ashes. It gets taken out to sea on the outgoing tide and gradually dissolves, dispersing without the need to go out in a boat. That way, wherever his children end up in the world, they only have to go to the sea to be near to their dad.  

Turn them into a tree 

One of our favourite ways of memorialising a loved one is by turning them into a tree. The combination of the earth and ashes will help the tree grow over time. And it will serve as a living legacy to you and your family.  

At GreenAcres, we have a couple of options for you to choose from, including: 

Feature Tree 

A Feature Tree is a carefully selected small tree with space for ash interment around the base. This could be a blossom or fruit tree native to the Park. Also, these trees are a special way to remember loved ones and are often selected for the love of the tree itself.  

Living Memorial Tree 

A living Memorial Tree is a natural memorial that will last for generations. The first set of ashes are scattered with a sapling tree. The tree will then grow and flourish forevermore, serving as a living legacy to you and your family. 

Find a unique spot that holds sentimental value 

When it comes to laying ashes to rest, nothing is off-limits. And every family’s story is unique. So much so, one of our families has chosen to keep in their knicker drawer! 

“My mum used to iron all the underwear in the house and wouldn’t allow us to leave without clean, freshly ironed underwear. I felt my knicker drawer was the best place to keep Mum until I can let go of her. It’s somewhat of a tradition.” 

You may have a place in the house that meant a lot to your loved one and reflects their life, allowing you to create a more personal tribute.  

Get a tattoo with the ashes in the ink 

A tattoo using your loved one’s ashes in the ink is a wonderful way to keep them close to you forever. It may provide you both a visual reminder and a physical connection to them. The process is the same as getting a normal tattoo; only a small portion of the ashes are mixed with traditional ink  

Only some of the ashes are used for the tattoo. So you still have the option to find the perfect resting place for your loved one with the remaining ashes. Creation Ink has a range of helpful blogs and advice if you’d like to learn more. 

Split the ashes 

If you’re struggling to know what to do with your loved one’s ashes, you can pick multiple options to honour their life. One of our families has chosen to split her father-in-law’s ashes across a few of his favourite locations. 

“My father-in-law was a keen fisherman, so half of his ashes are interred by the pond in GreenAcres, while the rest have been split into three – a paperweight containing a small amount of his ashes which is on my mother-in-law’s bookshelf, a miniature urn, which is in my brother-in-law’s fishing bag, and the rest in a floating water pillow placed in the river where he loved to go fishing!” 

Lay them to rest at GreenAcres  

Many families take great comfort from laying their loved ones’ ashes to rest at a GreenAcres Park. Whatever you’re looking for, there are several options to choose from to create a fitting and personal tribute to the person you love.  

We also understand that letting go of a loved one often takes time. At GreenAcres, we provide all the time you need to say your goodbyes. Whether that be four weeks or four years. 

Talk to a member of our team to discuss all the available memorial options for ashes at our GreenAcres Parks.