Whether you choose to keep the ashes close, lay them to rest, or scatter them in a meaningful location, there are several thoughtful options available. This guide will explore different ways to memorialise a loved one’s ashes, helping you make a decision that feels right for you and your family.
Deciding what to do with a loved one’s ashes is a deeply personal decision, while finding the right way to honour their memory is an important step in the grieving process.
With so many options available, the decision can also be a challenging one. In this article, we'll go through:
We'll also take a look at some other unique ideas like putting them into a piece of art or even in a tattoo.
At Distinct Cremations, we scatter the ashes in our garden of remembrance or deliver the ashes to the family within 14 days of a cremation. Upon receipt, you may like to have them as the focal point of a memorial service .
We go into all that and more below.
Many families find comfort in keeping their loved one's ashes in an urn which can be given a permanent spot in a family home or can be a focal point during a memorial service.
There are a number of families who like to do this. For example, a memorial service may be held at the local pub the deceased drank in, so the urn could be rested upon the bar.
Or, if you're looking for the urn to become a permanent fixture, a special place at home allows you to keep their memory close, giving you the opportunity to create a peaceful, private space where you can reflect and remember.
With so many varieties of designs, sizes, and materials, you can choose something that reflects your loved one’s personality and your personal taste.
At Distinct Cremations, every single cremation includes either the scattering of ashes at the garden of remembrance or the hand delivery of the ashes in a personal ashes container. However we do also have a wide range of urns that you can choose from to create an extra special resting place.
Speak to our team on 01543 211997 at any time of the day, and we can talk you through your options.
Many families choose to place the urn in a living room or on a mantlepiece, creating a central location where they can feel connected to their loved one in their everyday life.
Some prefer to keep the urn in a more personal area, such as a bedroom or a private study, where they can spend quiet, peaceful moments reflecting on memories.
For those who enjoy nature, placing the urn in a garden space or inside a decorative outdoor urn can create a peaceful memorial surrounded by flowers and greenery.
The interment of ashes or burying of ashes involves placing the ashes in a permanent resting place, such as a cemetery, churchyard, or memorial garden.
The interment or burying will take place once the cremation has taken place and can become a service in itself where family and friends can gather to pay their respects.
By interring or burying the ashes, you can create a memorial spot for your loved one which provides a lasting tribute in a location that can be visited regularly by family and friends. This can provide comfort in knowing there is a specific place to go to remember and honour your loved one, while also preserving their ashes in a respectful and dignified manner.
Some families opt for a family burial plot in a cemetery where the ashes can be interred alongside other relatives, creating a shared resting place for future generations to visit.
For those with religious ties, interring ashes in a churchyard allows for a serene and sacred final resting place, often accompanied by a small plaque or headstone.
Many people choose a dedicated garden within a crematorium or green space, where the ashes can be interred in a peaceful environment designed for remembrance.
Scattering ashes is one of the most popular choices and can be done in a variety of meaningful locations, such as a favourite park, the seaside, a cherished holiday spot or even in your own garden.
However, there are laws and legal regulations that have to be followed when scattering ashes, and it's always important to check with the local council or the private landowner before scattering your ashes in a public place.
But, so long as you're remaining within the legalities, scattering the ashes can be a truly memorable, symbolic moment, where the ashes become one with nature. You can also choose to scatter the ashes in multiple locations that held significance in your loved one’s life.
An ashes scattering can also become an event or be combined with a memorial service. Read more in our ashes scattering article.
Scattering ashes at sea or by the beach is a meaningful choice for a lot of people and offers a serene setting where the ashes can be carried away by the waves.
Many choose to scatter ashes in a favourite woodland or nature reserve, blending their loved one’s memory with the beauty of the natural world in a peaceful setting.
Some families prefer to scatter ashes in their own garden, creating a personal and intimate tribute in a familiar place where they can feel connected to their loved one every day.
Holding a memorial service that incorporates your loved one’s ashes is a beautiful way to say a final goodbye.
Whether it’s a formal ceremony or a more casual gathering of family and friends, the presence of the ashes can help create a focal point for the event. Some families choose to display the urn, while others incorporate scattering or burial into the service itself.
Memorial services can also offer a chance to celebrate your loved one’s life, share memories, and find comfort in community. They can be combined with a traditional service, with a small, attended cremation or even a direct cremation.
You can read about how to plan a meaningful memorial service with our detailed guide on memorial services.
In addition to the more traditional options, there are also many unique and creative ways to memorialise a loved one’s ashes. Some examples include:
These ideas can provide a special, personal tribute that can become cherished keepsakes. But no matter whether you choose something more traditional or something unique, the most important thing is that it feels meaningful to you and honours your loved one’s memory in a way that brings you comfort.
You can read more in our memorial ideas article.
With Distinct Cremations, you have the choice of having your loved one's ashes hand delivered to you by our attentive team or having the ashes scattered at the garden of remembrance next to the crematorium. Both are included at no extra charge.
Following every cremation at every single one of our crematoriums, the deceased’s ashes are carefully placed into a labelled container, ready for collection or scattering by the crematorium staff.
Throughout the process, strict protocols are followed to ensure the ashes are correctly identified and treated with the utmost care. From the moment the cremation begins until the ashes are ready for collection, the focus is always on maintaining respect and dignity for your loved one.
If you choose to have the ashes returned, our team will liaise with you and deliver the ashes at the date and time you requested, in the ashes container you requested. Don't worry, we'll work around you.
You can read more about our process in our how it works section.
Below are a few more resources that may come in use when remembering a loved one.
Many of us are familiar with the idea of cremation, but for those who’ve never attended a service, the question of what happens at a cremation still remains.
The cremation process explained
Organising a memorial service is a meaningful way to honour the memory of a loved one. This guide will help you create a memorable goodbye.
Organising a memorial service
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Over 74,000 cremations a year
Westerleigh Group including Distinct Cremations carried out over 74,000 cremations in 2024.
