What to do with ashes after cremation

After you’ve lost a loved one, there are many different ways you can choose to remember them. If you have chosen cremation as the funeral type, there are some important considerations you will need to make in selecting their final resting place. It’s important to remember that there is no rush to decide on what to do with your loved one’s ashes, you should take the time to properly grieve during this difficult time and choose a final resting place when you’re ready.

Keep reading as we discuss the many ways to either hold onto or release your loved one’s ashes in a way that is meaningful to you.

Is it okay to keep a loved one’s ashes?

Yes, what you choose to do with your loved one’s ashes is completely up to you. There is no need to scatter the ashes or turn them into a keepsake if you would prefer to keep them as they are at home. Depending on different religious, spiritual or personal beliefs, some people may not agree with keeping the ashes of a deceased loved one at home, however, it is all up to personal discretion. Most ashes are placed into an urn or small box to keep in a place of their choosing and believe that displaying urns is a special way to ensure your loved one’s legacy lives on.

Can you put cremation ashes in your garden?

Scattering or burying the ashes of your loved ones in your garden can be a lovely personal idea and is a great alternative to a traditional burial if you want to keep your loved ones close by. However, there are certain laws around scattering ashes, as it is only legal to do so on your own private land, if you do not own your home then you will need the landowner’s permission to scatter ashes in your garden.

How long can ashes be kept after cremation?

Ashes do not have an expiration date, therefore they can be kept as long as needed after cremation whilst you decide on what to do with them. Due to their inorganic nature, it would take around one million years for ashes to dissolve, therefore there is no rush for you to transfer ashes out of the container they were given to you in after the cremation. Take as much time as you need during this grieving process before making plans on whether you wish to keep the ashes at home, scatter them in a specific location or turn them into a special keepsake.

There is no rush to decide what the best way is to use your loved one’s ashes, however, there is a time limit on how long they can be held onto after cremation. If you do not have a funeral director, most crematoriums will give you up to 6 weeks to collect your loved ones’ ashes before they will then scatter them in the crematorium’s gardens of remembrance. However, if you do have a funeral director, the ashes can be held onto for at least 5 years before disposing of them.

Should you split up ashes after cremation?

If multiple members of the family wish to hold onto the ashes of a loved one, you may have to split up the ashes. This can be a great way to resolve any problems that may occur within the family when it comes to the ashes. It also allows each person the chance to conduct a special memorial of their choice for the passed loved one or give them the option to keep them close by in their home.

What can I do with cremation ashes?

You can use the ashes of a loved one in a range of ways, from creating a personal and memorable piece that commemorates their life or holding a scattering event to say goodbye when you’re ready. Whether you choose to keep the ashes at home in an urn or turn them into a piece of jewellery, there is a wide range of unique and creative things you can do with cremation ashes including:

Creating a special spot for the urn to rest

One of the most common ways people choose to keep ashes at home is to put them in a decorative urn and display them in a special place in their home. Some may even dedicate a certain area of their home to the loved one who has passed by creating a shrine or a family temple where the urn can rest and friends and family can go to remember their loved one and pay their respects.

Scatter their ashes in a special place 

Many people will have discussed their wishes for where they would like their remains to be placed after they have gone, however, if this was not discussed prior, it is a nice idea to scatter their ashes in a special place that is meaningful to them. This could be over the sea, lake, river, forest or any place with significance to your loved one. 

In the UK, there are no prohibitive laws relating to the scattering of ashes in public spaces, such as beaches and lakes, however, if the area is on privately owned land, you will need permission from the landowner or any local councils. You will also need to ensure that you are complying with Environmental Agency guidelines and that any tributes left along with the ashes are biodegradable.

If you’re looking for something spectacular to mark the memory of someone remarkable, ashes can also now be put into fireworks, scattered by drone and even sent up into space to be dispersed. These are truly unique ways to say goodbye to a loved one and can be a great option for those who do not have a specific special place where they wish to scatter the ashes.

Make a piece of jewellery

Creating a piece of jewellery that contains the ashes of your loved one is a great way to keep them physically close after they have gone. There are numerous options available for creating a piece of jewellery using ashes, including turning the ashes into glass, diamonds or gemstones that can be custom-made into a piece of jewellery of your choice. There is also an option for a jewellery urn, which is a simpler process in which you purchase a small locket-style necklace that holds a small amount of your loved one’s ashes inside.

Plant a tree or flowers  

As environmentally friendly funerals increase in popularity, you may wish to consider the idea of using your loved one’s remains to help plant a tree or flowers as a way to return the deceased back to the earth. If your loved one was passionate about the environment this is a thoughtful way to say farewell. This process also allows you to have a physical reminder of your loved one that you can watch grow and bloom over time. The best way to do this is to plant the ashes along with the seeds of your chosen plant, inside of a biodegradable urn or to mix the ashes in with soil to help the plant grow.

Create your own remembrance garden

Similarly to planting a tree or flowers with the ashes of a loved one, you can also create your own remembrance garden that incorporates the ashes in a unique way. Ashes can be turned into stones, sculptures, birdbaths or even sundials which can then be used to create a beautiful garden to remember your loved one by.

Turn the ashes into decorative pieces 

As an alternative to keeping an urn on your mantle, you can also have ashes made into a decorative piece such as a vase, suncatcher, stained glass window pane, picture frame or even a vinyl record. Solidified remains like this allow you to feel a meaningful connection with the departed and have a permanent reminder of them after they have gone.

Get a tattoo

There is now a way to incorporate your loved ones’ ashes into ink so that you can have a permanent tattooed memory of them. You only need a small amount of ashes to achieve this, therefore it is possible to keep the rest of the ashes in an urn or scatter them in a special place if you wish.

Preserve the memory of a loved one with Heart of England Co-op Funerals

If you have any questions surrounding cremation or what to do next following the death of a loved one, get in touch with our team of funeral directors today. We are here to listen and support you every step of the way during this difficult time.