What to do with loved one's ashes. Once your loved one has been cremated, there are a few things you can do with their remains. Firstly, it's worth noting you don't need to do anything with their ashes if you'd prefer to keep them. You can choose not to scatter them and keep them at yours or a loved one's home.
There are some superstitions about keeping ashes in the home
Whatever your beliefs, there is no right or wrong when it comes to handling the ashes of a person who's died. No one knows what happens after we die, but the best thing you can do is to handle the ashes respectfully and in a way that feels right for you.
Is it OK to Keep Cremains at Home? There's nothing bad about keeping cremated remains at home. Even though the practice is legal, those from specific faith communities may object to the practice. Some religious faiths, such as followers of Islam, Eastern Orthodox, and some Jewish sects forbid cremation.
Many times, the unclaimed ashes are held by the funeral home who will make multiple attempts to contact family or next of kin to pick up their loved one's remains. If they don't pick them up, different states have different rules on the length of time the funeral home must hold the ashes.
No, it is not a sin to separate ashes. The Bible does not specifically mention cremation or the scattering of ashes, so there is no ruling on this matter. However, some people may have religious or spiritual beliefs that say cremation and the scattering of ashes are not acceptable.
Firstly, it's worth noting you don't need to do anything with their ashes if you'd prefer to keep them. You can choose not to scatter them and keep them at yours or a loved one's home.
Is there energy in cremation ashes? The truth is, there is an essence of your loved one that lingers with the cremation ashes. While it may not be a consciousness, it is a little of their energy that stays behind, almost like someone's perfume that lingers in the air even after they have left the room.
However, it's important to remember that the Bible does not explicitly prohibit or endorse cremation or the keeping of ashes. Ultimately, the decision of what to do with the ashes of a loved one is a personal one, and should be made based on what feels right for the family.
Can you keep cremated ashes at home? Yes, absolutely. Many people choose to keep their loved one's ashes at home, in an urn. This is one of the more traditional options –– and often still a choice for many who choose more permanent memorials options as well.
In most cases, cremated remains are odourless. They may have a slightly metallic odour or some people say they smell somewhat like incense in some cases. However, it is common for ashes to have no distinct smell. Nonetheless, they can take on the smell of the container or cremation urn they are in.
Contrary to what you may think, human ashes are actually not toxic and are considered a sanitary, natural substance. Therefore, there is no harm in touching them. Of course, if you accidentally inhale ashes, you may experience some respiratory irritation, but this occurrence is not common if you handle ashes properly.
Yes, it is generally okay to open an urn. Most say that cremated remains are sterile, so you shouldn't have to worry about your health or safety from opening an urn. There are no legal reasons why an urn can't be opened either unless there is a question of who legally owns the cremains.
Ashes are heavier than some people expect
But human ashes aren't the same type of ash - they're made of bone. Bones are made of various acids, minerals, and salts, which means they're heavier than many people expect.
For many people, the act of scattering a loved one's ashes brings peace and closure. It can symbolize the return of the individual to nature, or the release of their spirit to heaven.
No matter what a person's preference is, from the Christian perspective, cremation does not prevent one from going to Heaven.
Vatican: Don't Scatter Cremation Ashes, And Don't Keep Them At Home : The Two-Way New guidelines from the Roman Catholic Church note that the practice of cremation is increasing and recommend that ashes be buried in "cemeteries and other sacred places."
Vatican decrees: Do not scatter ashes
It reminds to Catholics inter cremated remains in cemeteries or other sacred places and that remains "should not be scattered in the air, on land, or at sea." The Vatican also decreed that ashes should not be divided, kept at home, or transformed (e.g., keepsake jewelry).
The actual ashes are thus useless as they will not contain DNA. It is the bones and teeth that could potentially hold some DNA viable for analysis. However, after the cremation, the bones and teeth left behind are turned into a find powder (a process known as pulverization).
Keeping ashes in the home can be a comforting and meaningful way to still feel connected to a loved one for many people. The key point to remember is that you decide what feels right for you; there is no right or wrong way to grieve.
While there is no time limit to how long you can store ashes in your home, you may want to consider having the ashes buried in a cemetery or use them to make a piece of jewelry as a keepsake.
Nor can the ashes be scattered in the air, land or sea since doing so would give the appearance of "pantheism, naturalism or nihilism," the guidelines said. It repeated church teaching that Catholics who choose to be cremated for reasons contrary to the Christian faith must be denied a Christian funeral.
Human ashes do not dissolve in the ocean's waters. However, being a coarse, gritty, sand-like substance, the ashes will scatter throughout the ocean with no negative effects.
The average amount of ash which will remain after the cremation of an adult is between 183 to 213 Cubic Inches, which is about 3 to 3.5 Litres.