6 Unique Things You Can Do With Your Loved Ones Ashes

When a loved one passes away, choosing how to honor their memory is a deeply personal decision. For many families opting for cremation, the question of what to do with the ashes can be challenging. At Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins, we strive to provide compassionate support and creative ideas for funeral planning. Here are six unique ways to honor your loved one's ashes after cremation.

Create a Memorial Jewelry Piece

One beautiful way to keep your loved one close is by incorporating their ashes into a piece of jewelry. Many artisans specialize in creating memorial jewelry that blends ashes with precious metals or gemstones. This allows you to carry a part of your loved one with you, serving as a touching reminder of their presence.


Plant a Memorial Tree

Transforming ashes into life is a moving tribute. Consider using biodegradable urns that allow you to plant a tree with your loved one's ashes. This not only honors their memory but also contributes to the environment. Each year, as the tree grows, it serves as a living memorial that can be visited and cherished.


Scatter Ashes in a Meaningful Location

Another option is to scatter your loved one’s ashes in a place that held significance for them. Whether it’s their favorite park, beach, or hiking trail, this act can provide a sense of peace. Just be sure to check local regulations regarding scattering ashes in public places.


Create a Dedicated Memorial Space

Consider setting up a special area at home or in the garden where your loved one’s ashes can be displayed. Combining their ashes with photographs, personal belongings, and meaningful mementos can create a heartfelt tribute that continues to tell their story.


Incorporate Ashes Into Art

Many artists specialize in creating custom pieces that incorporate a loved one's ashes. From paintings to sculptures and even blown glass, artwork made with ashes can serve as a stunning tribute. Having a unique piece of art allows you to celebrate your loved one’s personality while creating something beautiful that can be admired in your home. 


Travel With Their Ashes

A meaningful way to honor your loved one is by taking their ashes with you as you travel. Bring a portion of their ashes to destinations that hold special memories or places they dreamed of visiting. Scattering their ashes in these significant locations allows you to create new memories while keeping their spirit close on your journey!


Honor Your Loved One’s Memory With Our Funeral Services

Choosing what to do with your loved one’s ashes is a personal journey that can help with the healing process. At Bohlender Funeral Chapel, we understand the significance of memorializing the lives of those we cherish. By exploring unique options like memorial jewelry, planting a tree, scattering ashes, or creating a dedicated memorial space, you can honor your loved one’s memory in a way that feels right for you. As you navigate the intricacies of funeral arrangements, we are here to support you with compassion and understanding throughout your funeral planning journey.


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Different cultures around the world deal with death in different ways. Many choose to have a cremation or burial ceremony just like in the U.S., however, there are some funeral ceremonies that are drastically different than what people in the U.S. are accustomed to. In today’s blog here at Bohlender Funeral Chapelin Fort Collins, we talk about other beautiful funeral ceremony traditions and where they are popular. Learn more about our funeral home services here at Bohlender Funeral Chapelin Fort Collins and get help planning the perfect celebration of life for your loved one. New Orleans Jazz Funerals You might be thinking, “Well, New Orleans is in the U.S.!” — and you’re right. But, that doesn’t mean that they can’t have unique funeral ceremony traditions. Not everyone in New Orleans has a jazz funeral, but anyone can request one if they’d like. However, most jazz funerals are held for musicians. In a traditional jazz funeral, the funeral ceremony begins at the church or funeral home and is then led to the cemetery by a marching band. The music starts off slow and heavy while everyone is walking to the cemetery. Once the body is buried and people are on the way back from the cemetery, the music becomes upbeat and celebratory to honor and celebrate the departed. Anyone and everyone nearby are encouraged to join as long as they are respectful and courteous. Eternal Reefs Eternal Reefs is a Florida-based company that has taken a completely new approach to funerals. Eternal Reefs takes cremated remains and places them in an environmentally safe concrete urn. The urn is created in such a way that it creates new habitats for marine wildlife. This makes it so that you or your loved one become a part of a coral reef and help to support new life. Eternal Reefs are a great way to commemorate your loved one and help them make the world a better place. Even though there are no oceans or coral reefs here in Fort Collins, that doesn’t stop our family at Bohlender Funeral Chapelfrom offering a funeral ceremony that is beneficial for the family and the earth. We are proud to offer our green burial funeral service, learn more about it here at Bohlender Funeral Chapel. Burial Beads In certain areas of the world, there is very limited space for burials and other traditional funeral ceremony practices. One method that South Korea has been practicing regularly is the burial bead funeral ceremony. With burial beads, cremated remains are pressed into beautiful beads that closely resemble that of jewelry or pearls. A wide variety of colors and urn options are available. This is a way for the people of South Korea to find beauty from a difficult situation while also making use of the limited space. The Philippines All across the Philippines, funeral ceremonies vary wildly. There are more than nine very different funeral traditions across the country. Some of the more poetic and beautiful traditions include tree burials and hanging coffins. Tree Burials Tree burials are most commonly practiced in the Cavite region of the Philippines. Cavite is located about 10 miles from the bustling Manila and they have still managed to maintain their unique funeral ceremony customs. Tree burials are where the person who expects their time is limited will go and select the tree of their choice. Once the tree is selected and the person’s days are numbered, a small shelter is built near the tree for them to live in. When they pass, they are entombed upright into the selected tree. Hanging Coffin In the Sagada region of the Philippines, coffins are often hung off the sides of cliffs or on the walls of high-up caves. The elderly or sick craft their own caskets by hand if they are able and once they have moved on, they are placed in the casket they created and hung high. They are placed next to their ancestors and loved ones as high off the ground as possible. This is because the native people believe that the higher the dead are to heaven, the easier their journey will be. This is a tradition that has been performed for thousands for years and will likely continue for years to come. Fantasy Coffins Ghana is a country in Africa where people have taken to a funeral ceremony called fantasy coffins. Fantasy coffins are unique coffins that help to represent who the person was in their life. For example, someone who was a fisherman their whole life may choose to be buried in a fish coffin. Or someone who had a love for books and novels may choose to be buried in a book-shaped coffin. These are fun and lighthearted ways to memorialize and celebrate the life of the dearly departed. Bohlender Funeral Chapel We hope that you learned something new from today’s blog and got valuable insight into other culture’s funeral ceremony customs. If you would like to learn more about the funeral services we offer here at Bohlender Funeral Chapelin Fort Collins, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We are a family-owned funeral home with a passion for helping people in any way we can. We offer invaluable healing experiences for you and your family through our cremation service, burial service, funeral flowers, and much more.
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Planning a funeral can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to budgeting for the various expenses involved. At Bohlender Funeral Chapel in Fort Collins, we understand the importance of honoring a loved one while managing financial responsibilities. Let us help you navigate the funeral planning process, ensuring you can create a meaningful celebration that respects your loved one’s memory without stretching your finances. Then start the pre-planning process with us today.
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