Stirlingshire Crematorium is offering a final journey that is truly out of this world – scattering ashes in space.
As part of Westerleigh Group, which has entered into a new partnership with Aura Flights, the crematorium can now offer two new options for the cremated remains of their loved ones.
The ‘Memorial Launch’ service involves ashes being placed inside a ‘scatter vessel’ which is fitted to a space-capable biodegradable balloon filled with renewable hydrogen gas.
The ashes are released in a gentle cascade around 100,000 feet above the earth and spend the next three to six months orbiting the globe until they re-enter the atmosphere, where they seed the formation of clouds and fall back to earth as raindrops and snowflakes all over the world.
The ascent and release are captured on video to create a memorial for families of the event. This costs £2950.
The more modestly priced Voyager package, for £495, involves a ceremonial portion of a loved one’s ashes to travel into space, to the same height as the scattering launch, before being returned to their families on Earth in a premium miniature urn.
Stirlingshire Crematorium Manager Donnie Connor said: “We are always looking to expand the range of memorial options available to the bereaved in order to give them the widest possible choice and help them to create uniquely personal memorials for their loved ones.
“Aura Flights offer something that is truly out of this world.
“For centuries, man has looked up at the stars and dreamed of going into space; while few of us ever get to do this during our lifetimes, there is now the option to travel into space for your final journey.
“Within days of the ashes being scattered, families will receive a personalised memorial video showing their loved one’s final journey among the stars.”
Samantha Richardson, General Manager of Aura Flights, said: “From the moment we started talking about a collaboration, they saw how special a space scattering can be and their focus is always on supporting the bereaved throughout their journey, which I really admire.”
More information at www.stirlingshirecrematorium.co.uk/ashes-in-space
