30 Craziest Things People Have Done With Loved Ones Ashes

1. Incorporated them into a firework display.

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Talk about going out with a bang! Some people have been choosing to mix their loved ones ashes with combustible powder and sending them up in the sky for a colorful firework display. Fireworks are used as a celebration, what a lovely way to celebrate a person's life, it certainly has impact. There are even companies who will arrange and create this for you.

2. Scattered them during a hot air balloon ride.

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Others have chosen to take the ashes with them up high in a hot air balloon, then released them out of the basket into the sky. Now, if your loved one was afraid of heights, they might not appreciate their ashes being scattered this way! But, otherwise, it's a lovely idea.

3. Released them from a mountaintop.

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Particularly suitable if the loved one in question was an avid hiker, or loved the nature and outdoors. Climbing up to the top of a mountain to scatter their ashes up here allows for a peaceful environment, whilst still being somewhere with impact and a sense of spirituality.

4. Spread them on a golf course if they were a golfer.

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When people lose a loved one, it's nice to reflect on their interests when it comes to spreading their ashes. They may ask themselves where did they feel most at home? Where was their happy place? For some, the answer to this is clear - the golf course!

5. Tossed them into a serene river or stream.

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Choosing to release ashes into bodies of water is a way of returning the loved one to nature, allowing their spirit to fuse with the world. If the loved one enjoyed nature walks, fishing, swimming or boating, this idea could be a great one. It's a way of keeping their memory alive.

6. Mixed them with paint and create a piece of art.

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If the choice is to keep the loved one at home, then incorporating the ashes into artwork is a creative, personalised and different way of honouring their memory, as opposed to simply keeping them in an urn. Especially where they were fond of art or artistic themselves in life, some people have chosen to mix the ashes with paint and create a special piece.

7. Scattered them from a helicopter ride.

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If the loved one was a thrill seeker, this one's for you. There have been people who have scattered ashes from up above the clouds, out of a helicopter! Popular places to do this are the Grand Canyon or even The Ganges River. There are helicopter hire companies who will allow you to do this.

8. Placed them in a biodegradable urn and bury them at sea.

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If you want to go deeper, why not have your loved ones ashes buried at the bottom of the ocean? There have been families who have opted to place ashes inside a biodegradable urn, some choosing to bury them at shore, others sending them off into the ocean.

9. Sprinkled them at a favorite sports stadium or arena.

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Was there a particular team, stadium or arena that resonated with your loved one during their lives? Whether this was their favourite sports team, or an arena that was part of a significant moment in their lives. Have a look into whether it's possible to spread ashes here.

10. Spread them at a family reunion or special gathering.

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To a lot of people, family is everything. When it comes to close-knit families, it might be nice to spread the ashes together, as one group. So, why not consider releasing the ashes during a big family get together, or during a special gathering. This way, your loved one is there in spirit and everybody can feel connected to them.

11. Released them from a scenic overlook.

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This is a lovely way to release your loved one, allowing them to be free, covering a wide area and celebrating their lives all in one. For these reasons, people have been choosing a scenic overlook out in nature, and releasing their ashes here. Of course, it's important to check with local authorities whether this is allowed in the area.

12. Mixed them with soil and use it for a planting ceremony.

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Ashes can be easily mixed with soil, people have done this and then hosted a planting ceremony in their memory. The soil could be put into a singular pot which could be kept inside a home, or could be used inside a whole flower bed full of wild flowers.

13. Scattered them in a serene meadow.

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When your loved ones felt a connection to nature, you can allow them to be at one with the natural world by spreading their ashes over a serene meadow. This is a peaceful, restful environment where, if nearby, you could visit to talk to or remember them.

14. Dispersed them at a place they always wanted to visit.

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If there was a particular place that the loved one in question always talked about or longed to go, but never quite got there, why not help them out. People have travelled great distances solely to spread the ashes of their loved ones in a destination that they desired.

15. Made them into diamonds

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Did you know that ashes can be used and made into diamonds? In fact, you could even do this with a lock of hair if you preferred. Of course, this isn't really a task you can do at home. There are companies who do this for families all the time. Some people wear the diamonds, some put them into furniture or ornaments.

16. Placed them in an urn with a seed to become a tree.

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Rather than being buried in a graveyard, there are more and more families opting to bury their lost loved ones in a memorial garden full of trees instead. The ashes can be buried along with the seed, which you can watch grow and bloom over the years.

17. Mixed them with tattoo ink.

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Now, whether or not this is hygienic I'm not entirely sure, but I do know it's a very unique and thoughtful way to honour a lost loved one. There are people who have mixed in the ashes with the ink and had this tattooed on their skin forever. The tattoo could be writing or an image that held some related meaning to your loved one.

18. Pressed them into a vinyl record.

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Calling all lovers of music, you might want to steal this one. Did you know that you can actually press ashes into a vinyl record? Amazing, right? You could choose a song or album which is significant to your relationship with the person who has passed away.

19. Made them into a pencil.

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There is a company called Nadine’s cremation creations who offer a whole host of creative products that can be made from the ashes of loved ones. One surprisingly popular item is a pencil. In fact, you can get 240 pencils from one lot of ashes! They can be personalised, engraved with a name or even a message.

20. Rolled them into a cigarette.

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Okay, this one isn't something that I'd recommend or advocate for. But, it's a true story! After Tupac Shakur was killed in 1996, his crew rolled his ashes with marijuana and smoked him. Seriously, look it up and you'll see! The crew were called the Outlawz.

21. Made into a frisbee.

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This is another whacky story that I'd like to think has only happened once ever. So, the man responsible for the birth of the frisbee wanted to celebrate his invention even in death. His request was for his ashes to be made into memorial frisbees, to be used by all his loved ones.

22. Made into stain glass.

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This is probably best left to the professionals. But, there are companies out there who will create stunning pieces of stained glass artwork, using the ashes of your loved ones. The designs can be customised, leaving you with a sentimental work of art to be cherished.

23. Put inside a helium balloon.

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Some people have chosen to put the ashes of their loved ones inside a helium balloon, before releasing it up into the air. Eventually, the balloon will explode in the atmosphere and scatter the ashes far and wide. A balloon releasing ceremony can be held to do this.

24. Made into wine.

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Yes, you read that right. Ashes made into wine. Specifically, a man named Maynard James Keenan, who was in a band called Tool, chose to scatter his mother's ashes over his private vineyard. Once the grapes had grown, he used them to craft a special wine and named it after her.

25. Put inside a teddy bear.

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If you want something a bit more child friendly, or that can bring some warmth and comfort, this might be a good option. There are companies who can make memorial bears for you, including the ashes of your loved one inside. In fact, the bear can even be made from their old clothes to add some extra personalization.

26. Mixed with ink and put in a comic book.

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The famous Marvel comics writer and editor Mark Gruenwald did just this. His passion was comic books and he wanted to continue this love even in spirit after he passed away. So, he requested for his ashes to be turned into ink and used to write a comic book! Specifically, they went into an issue of Squadron Supreme.

27. Shot them into space.

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If you want something really out there and crazy, then you can get in touch with the company Celestis. For an out of this world memorial ceremony, they will shoot your loved ones ashes up into outerspace! If your loved one was a science fanatic or had a particular interest in space, this might be the one.

28. Mixed them with a coral reef.

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If you and your lost loved one had a passion for the environment, then this is a lovely way to honour that and give back to the natural world. There is an organization called Eternal Reef that will mix the ashes into a special cement used to hold down the reefs, helping to rebuild them.

29. Made them into a vase.

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Rather than simply putting the ashes inside an urn, why not make the ashes into the actual vase? The colors and shape can both be personalised to however you choose, with the ashes bound together as part of the vase material. Just make sure you keep it somewhere where it's unlikely to be broken!

30. Put them inside an urn shaped like them.

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I've got to admit, I find this one a little creepy. In fact, I find it very creepy. But still, some people choose to store the ashes of their loved ones in an urn which resembles the actual head of their loved one. I personally think this might frighten the guests!