Have you ever gazed up at the stars and thought about having your final resting place be among them?
As space travel becomes more accessible, this dream is becoming a reality for some through space burials.
In this guide, we’ll explain why and how can you send your ashes to space.
What Is a Space Burial?
A space burial involves launching a portion of cremated remains into space. Companies provide this service by working with launch providers to add specially designed capsules containing ashes to rockets already heading to space.
Why Choose a Space Burial?
Opting for a space burial provides a unique memorial experience. It allows you to symbolically become one with the cosmos and gain a perspective on Earth that few get to witness. Your loved ones also gain comfort knowing that you’ve been laid to rest somewhere special. A space burial can inspire us all to reflect on our place in the universe.
How Does a Space Burial Work?
A space burial begins like a traditional funeral service, allowing loved ones to pay their respects. After the service, a portion of the cremated remains is loaded onto a spacecraft. The spacecraft is then launched into space, releasing the ashes at the desired orbital destination.
As the ashes orbit Earth or travel through space, they provide a poetic tribute to the deceased’s adventurous spirit. The process requires working with a provider that specializes in memorial spaceflights. They handle all the technical details, freeing families to focus on honoring their loved ones.
What Companies Offer Space Burials?
Several private space companies now provide space burial services. Celestis Memorial Spaceflights has been conducting memorial spaceflights since 1997. They offer Earth orbit, lunar orbit, and deep space options. Elysium Space offers memorial spacecraft to orbit Earth, the Moon, and Venus. Ascending
Memories provides Earth orbit and lunar surface flights. There are also companies planning space burial services to new destinations like Mars in the future. While options were once limited, more companies are now making space burials achievable for families who want their loved ones memorialized in the cosmos.
What Are the Costs for a Space Burial?
The costs for space burials can vary greatly depending on the company, service, and destination chosen. For Earth orbit, prices range from around $2,500 to $12,500. Lunar burials are more expensive, from $10,000 to $12,500. Deep space burials beyond the Moon are the most costly, ranging from $12,500 to $25,000. While the prices may seem high, they include all services needed like cremation, memorial preparation, launch arrangements, tracking data, and more. For families that want a unique memorial in space, the costs provide a once-in-a-lifetime cosmic send-off.
How to Arrange a Space Burial
Arranging a space burial takes some advanced planning but can be handled by the memorial spaceflight companies. First, contact the provider of choice and select the desired service type – Earth orbit, lunar or deep space. Sign documents ensuring you can legally send cremated remains into space. Once passed away, the body will be cremated and a small portion of ashes prepared. The ashes are integrated into a custom memorial spacecraft with tracking systems.
The memorial is then launched into space on a planned rocket flight and entered into the selected orbit or trajectory. Throughout the process, the spaceflight company will provide updates, launch viewing information, online tracking, and memorial keepsakes to the family. With proper planning beforehand, the space burial provider will take care of all the logistics for an epic cosmic send-off.
FAQ
How Much Does It Cost to Send Your Ashes to Space?
The cost to send ashes into space can range from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the company providing the service and the type of launch and payload. Many companies offer basic services starting around $2,000-$5,000. More elaborate memorial spaceflights with bigger capsules and more services can cost $10,000-$20,000 or more.
Can My Ashes Be Dumped in the Ocean?
Yes, it is legal to scatter ashes at sea in most countries. However, there are some regulations regarding how far from shore the ashes must be released. Some companies provide ash scattering services at sea for families who wish to lay their loved one to rest in the ocean.
Conclusion
There are many creative options available for laying a loved one to rest after cremation. From launching ashes into space to incorporating them into objects like jewelry or paintings, memorial choices are diverse. Even scattering ashes in places of significance like the ocean or mountains is possible with some planning. While costs and regulations vary, services exist to fulfill many personalized memorial wishes. With so many choices, you can find a fitting way to honor a loved one’s memory and send their ashes on a final journey.