One of life’s most challenging experiences is losing a loved one. One of the decisions that must be made in the aftermath is how to memorialise them best. Scattering cremated ashes is a popular way to honour the memory of a loved one, allowing them to become a part of the natural environment they cherish. However, while scattering ashes can seem like a fitting tribute, it raises some important questions and issues.
There are concerns about the dispersal of ashes into the environment, the impact on wildlife and vegetation, and the lack of a permanent memorial. For those who prefer to keep their loved ones close, burying them as a tree is another alternative that offers a meaningful and sustainable way to remember them.
In this blog, we will explore the problems with scattering cremated ashes and provide alternative options that offer meaningful and sustainable ways to memorialise a loved one. So whether you are looking for a more traditional memorial or a unique and personalised tribute like being buried as a tree, there is a solution that fits your needs and values.
Is Scattering Human Ashes Bad For The Environment?
The alkaline nature of human ashes has the potential to affect the pH levels in the surrounding environment, which could be harmful to plants and animals living in the soil and around it.
The pH of human ashes can vary depending on the cremation process and the type of burned materials. Still, they are generally alkaline, with a pH between 8 and 10.
In land and aquatic environments, a sudden increase in pH levels can stress or kill certain species of plants and other organisms adapted to survive within a narrow range of pH levels.
Elevated pH levels can also lead to changes in land and water chemistry, such as releasing toxic metals from the sediment.
For these reasons, it is important to follow local regulations and guidelines when scattering ashes and consider alternative dispositions that are less likely to harm the environment.
How Is Memorial Garden A Sustainable Alternative To Scattering Ashes?
A memorial garden is a dedicated and protected area where families can remember and pay tribute to their loved ones who have passed away. Memorial gardens offer a peaceful and natural setting to commemorate and reflect on the life of a loved one.
Families can choose to have a memorial tree planted in honour of their loved one in a memorial garden where human ashes are infused into a tree after being treated organically. With the help of advancing science and technology, some memorial garden management companies have unlocked the secret to treating human ash and eliminating its alkaline nature.
Horticulturalists and experts have successfully brought forth the benefits of living molecules hidden in the ashes which then get infused inside the legacy tree as it grows out of the treated soil. This makes it a sustainable and eco-friendly way of keeping alive ones legacy even after death.
A memorial tree is a living tribute that serves as a permanent reminder of the life and legacy of the person being remembered. Some memorial gardens also offer the option to have a plaque or marker placed near the tree with the name and dates of the person being recognised.
Memorial gardens can provide a sustainable and environmentally friendly option for scattering ashes or memorialisation. Overall, memorial trees offer families an alternative to traditional burial methods that provides a connection to nature and a long-lasting tribute to their loved one while also benefiting the environment.
In Conclusion
Memorial gardens offer a unique and significant way to honour and remember loved ones who have passed away. By planting a memorial tree or dedicating a living memorial, families can create a permanent tribute to their cherished memories and a symbol of love and growth that will endure for generations.
A memorial garden’s peaceful and natural setting provides a comforting and refreshing environment for reflection, healing, and the continuation of a legacy.
In a world where so much seems ephemeral, memorial gardens provide a grounding and uplifting connection to the beauty and power of nature. They allow us to find solace and peace in the knowledge that our loved ones live on through us and the world around us.
