Ways To Mark The Location Of A Loved One's Ashes
When your loved one is cremated, you will have the opportunity to select a casket for them, and once they have gone through the cremation chamber, you will be presented with their ashes in a memorial box or urn. You will then have a number of choices to select from regarding the handling of the ashes.
You can purchase a cemetery urn plot, which is smaller than a burial plot, and have the ashes placed in the plot. You can scatter the ashes in your garden or at one of your loved one's favourite places, but you may need to get permission to do this. You can also choose to keep the ashes in your home in an urn or ashes box.
Whatever you decide to do with the ashes, you may want a way to mark their location in the same way a grave is marked with a gravestone or monument. Here are a few ideas for how you can mark the location of a loved one's ashes:
A Tree
Planting a tree at the site where your loved one's ashes are scattered is a discreet way to mark the location and remember them, particularly if they enjoyed the outdoors. You may need to get permission to plant a tree if the location is not on your own property, but parks and public recreation areas are often open to this idea, as it adds to the area's natural beauty. You can opt for any type of tree, but you may want to consider a tree that produces fruit they enjoyed or one that has beautiful annual blooms, such as a cherry blossom.
A Rock
An engraved rock can be an ideal way to remember a loved one without the memorial standing out too much or being a blight on the natural landscape. The rock can be engraved with a short message or a significant date. You can opt to have the engraving done by a professional, or you can purchase an engraving kit and carve a message into the rock yourself. You may be able to use a rock from the location where the ashes were scattered, but, again, you may need permission for this.
A Bench
A memorial bench located in your loved one's favourite park or beauty spot allows you to have somewhere to sit and remember them and can allow you to contribute to the upkeep of the area, as there is usually a fee to pay to have a memorial bench instated. If you scattered the ashes in your own garden, you can also mark the spot with a bench that you and your family can enjoy and use every day.
There are many ways you can remember your loved one after they have been cremated, and it's often possible to personalise the memorial to capture a piece of your loved one's personality. If you'd like to discuss the cremation process and post-cremation memorial options, contact the funeral director handling your loved one's arrangements.
