Reef: A green burial

For scuba divers and other who just generally love the ocean, you can elect to have your ashes interred in a reef. The living memorial reef helps out the marine environment and conserves land that cemeteries would take up. Some reef burial companies are quite expensive so if you are a scuba diver, you can take the urn down yourself. A memorial reef urn mixed the ashes with concrete in the form of a habitat for underwater creatures. This creates a living reef over time once placed in the ocean. You must purchase the urn first and then have it placed in the ocean or do it yourself. Just remember that putting anything in the ocean must meet all local, state, and federal regulations.

Some companies that maintain reefs are Eternal reefs, Great Burial Reef, and Neptune Memorial.

Spirit Whisperer

It is a good idea to pick someone who really likes the water. If you are a scuba diver, plan on going down with the ashes to be placed at the reef. Otherwise, you can contract with a company that will take the remains down for you. You will have to see that the remains get there so they can be mixed with the concrete or placed in the urn that will be located at the reef. Reef companies do not perform the cremation so this needs to be handled separately. A temporary urn can be used at the wake until the permanent one is finished.

Wake

The wake can be held on a boat at sea or perhaps at the beach. As the wake comes to an end, the urn containing the ashes can depart on the boat for their final resting place. Consider going out to see the ashes placed at the site and then return for an evening beach memorial gathering. As the sun goes down on another day, toast the departed soul and wish them a safe journey to their next destination. Any type of marine theme for the wake along with some drinkable spirits like a good rum seem appropriate for the occasion.

Memorial

This is one type of interment where you get a built in memorial that will be there for years. Companies that build the reefs will give the coordinates of your final resting place along with a video of the spot. Your relatives may visit at anytime if he or she is a scuba diver.

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Bucket List: Chock Full of Nuts

Mt. Everest: Courtesy of pdphoto.org

A discussion of placing your ashes somewhere with a view or going out in style would not be complete without mentioning The Bucket List. It is a movie where the two stars Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman get cancer then try some of the things that they have missed in life. In the end they are cremated and placed side by side in a Chock Full of Nuts coffee can up on Mount Everest. The last thing on their list was a majestic view.

The coffee can was selected because Morgan Freeman had an aversion to the word URN. So if you are think you don’t want to go in an URN, any old Coffee can would do or you could just spread your ashes as we here at PyreFyre think you should do.

As far as the bucket list goes, it is always a good idea to sit down and think about what you want to do in this life. It is never too late to write that list. The more you do, the less regrets you will have in your last days. One of the things you will find about your bucket list is that it will change as you age. So be prepared to adjust it as you go through life. Don’t do away with the old one but use it to see how your goals in life change over time.

It is important that you spend some deep thought on your bucket list. Don’t make it a list of a current whim or something that could take the joy out of the rest of your life. It should never hurt anyone or anything. It can be long or short but if you stick to the things you really want to do then the list will be manageable. Really think it through and make it consistent with your personality and Going out with Style.

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Memorial Gardens

In the past, churches have been a place to find the traditional cemetery. Now, we are entering a time of green funerals, green cemeteries, and just green burial. These eco-funerals are changing how people decide to handle their earthly remains after death. So today, you find churches adding memorial gardens for spreading of ashes and the interment of urns. These urns may be biodegradable urns or metal urns. This article shows how a couple; Steve and Jan Cornwell, worked to add a memorial garden to St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Boulder. The church expects to add a columbarium later.

Get together with the other members of your church who are interested in green burials and who would like to have their ashes spread there on the church property. The work in building the garden is a good summer project for those willing to give of their time. The church can collect a donation from each member in exchange for an engraved brick, bench or other remembrance items in the garden. Members can buy trees or other plants they can reserve to have their ashes buried beneath when the time is ready for them. Have the pastor bless the garden and the members are all set for a final resting place near their church family

There are many possibilities for a memorial garden design. A wall containing a Bible verse with a stone ring around it is a perfect place to spread your ashes. The memorial garden can also double as a prayer garden. If this appeals to you, start a formal discussion with your church elders. We are sure you will come up with a really great place to memorialize the members of your congregation.

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Green Burial of Ashes

Sequoias: Courtesy of pdphoto.org

For those who love trees, check out the Eco Eternity Forest website for an alternative green burial concept. They will let you lease a tree of your own for $4500 or if that is too expensive you may be placed by the community tree for $500. The forest has been blessed and they currently have two here in the United States.
You may use their facilities to have your wake or simply have a quiet service at the tree. If you select their family tree you may even include your pet ashes with the family. They have a family reunion tree, friendship tree, and community tree. Check it out.

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Planning

Jasper Park: Courtesy of pdphoto.org

Here are a few of the things you need to consider when selecting the PyreFyre way of commemorating your passing into the afterlife. Have someone perform the cremation, plan the memorial gathering, and pick a place to scatter those ashes. The bottom line is to take away the somber mood and let everyone remember the good times they shared with you. So be creative and set up a memorable gathering to toast your life or the life of your loved one. Remember, the memorial service and celebration of the life is often before the cremation if a person donates their body to science. In this case, our recommendation is that an alternate focal point be at the gathering of your friends and family. This will often be pictures or crafts and art made by you or your loved one. Select anything that will remind your family and friends of your life
Preplanning:

The purpose of preplanning is to get your wishes documented so your next of kin will not have to worry so much about the details. Please don’t come back and haunt your kin if the arrangements are not followed to the letter. You can choose to write them on paper, use a word processor, or buy a kit. There are also books available at your local bookstore for planning.
Select your advocate:

This may be your spouse, children, or a trusted friend. It could be the executor of your will. It is important that you take your written request and go over it with them so they understand all your wishes and are willing to carry them out.
Pick the crematorium:

You may or may not want to pick your crematorium. Donate your body to science and you can let them take care of this part. If you pick a crematorium, you will make it a lot easier on your surviving family. Just remember to go check it out, ask some people who are satisfied with their service, and always pick a reputable one. You should always select the one that gives the best value for your money not the cheapest.
Plan your wake

Pick the place to have your celebration or wake. The celebration is of your life and all its memories so your family and friends can console your closest love ones. Food and drink should be provided along with a nice meeting place. You can pick an indoor place, a resort, or something outside in nature. A good idea is to pick a spot that people associate with your life.
Your final resting place.

Think back through all the great places you have traveled and those that made you the happiest. Let your family know while you are still alive why you selected to have your ashes scattered at this place. The sky and space is the limit with where to scatter your ashes. Please check out the laws and stay away from private property without permission. Generally you can go to any forest or national park and spread them as a private citizen. It is best to keep it all low key so you don’t offend anyone.

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