What to Do with Ashes After Cremation: 12 Meaningful Memorial Ideas
When a loved one passes and is cremated, you're left with a deeply personal question:
What do I do with their ashes?
For many, the urn sits on a shelf—waiting. But it doesn't have to. There are beautiful, memorable, and even adventurous ways to honor their life and give their remains a fitting final resting place.
Here are 12 meaningful options to consider:
1. Keep Them at Home in a Decorative Urn
The classic choice. Many families find comfort in keeping the ashes nearby in a custom or decorative urn that reflects the personality of the departed.
2. Bury the Ashes in a Cemetery or Family Plot
If your family has a shared plot or headstone, burial offers tradition and permanence. Be sure to check cemetery rules for urn vaults or columbariums.
3. Scatter the Ashes in a Special Place
A favorite park, mountain trail, or ocean view—scattering ashes in a meaningful location is a deeply symbolic gesture of release. Check local laws, as many places require permits.
4. Skydiving Ash Scattering Ceremony
For adventurous spirits, there's no tribute more powerful than scattering ashes during a skydiving freefall.
At Aerial Ash Scattering, we release your loved one’s ashes into the open sky from 10,000 feet—offering a breathtaking final tribute of freedom, peace, and beauty.
Learn more about skydiving ash scattering →
5. Turn Ashes into Memorial Jewelry
Small amounts of ash can be sealed into pendants, rings, or bracelets—creating a wearable tribute that stays close to your heart.
6. Plant a Memorial Tree with Ashes
Mixing ashes with soil and planting a tree creates a living memorial that grows with time. Some companies even offer biodegradable urns designed for this purpose.
7. Place the Ashes in a Coral Reef
Several eco-friendly services can place ashes into concrete reef structures to support marine life. A meaningful way to give back to the planet.
8. Divide Ashes Among Family Members
Some families choose to split ashes between siblings, parents, or close friends. Mini urns or keepsake boxes make this easier while honoring multiple relationships.
9. Launch Ashes into Space
Yes—this is real. There are now services that launch cremated remains into orbit or the edge of space. It's not cheap, but it’s a truly cosmic goodbye.
10. Tattoo Ink Infused with Ashes
Some tattoo artists will mix a small amount of ashes into the ink, allowing you to carry a piece of your loved one permanently on your skin. (Do your research first.)
11. Turn Ashes into Art or Glasswork
Artists can blend ashes into paintings, sculptures, or blown glass pieces—turning memory into beauty.
12. Memorial Fireworks Display
Celebrate their life with a literal bang. Some companies embed ashes into fireworks shells for a stunning night sky tribute.
Choosing What Feels Right
There’s no “right” answer to what you should do with ashes. The best choice is the one that reflects who they were—and how you want to remember them.
Whether that's planting a tree, keeping a pendant, or watching their ashes drift peacefully through the clouds during a skydive, it’s your way of saying goodbye.
Want to learn more about aerial ash scattering?
Visit ashdive.com to explore skydiving memorials for both people and pets—available nationwide.