Guest Blog: The Truth About Ashes…

05 November 2022

Claire Lyons of Living Memorial, outlines the adverse effect of introducing cremation ashes into nature and what we can do to create a positive impact instead.

It’s a curious thing about cremated remains, that they have become known as ashes. No doubt this is a nod to the cremation process, but it is not a helpful word to use.

The Power of a Word

Cremated remains are not ash, they are sterilised bone, more like fossils. When we think of them in this more honest, but less pleasant way, their impact on the soil, water or plants and wildlife seems so obvious.

When we bury or scatter cremated remains, they have a lasting impact on that area, and it’s not a good one. You may have wondered why you can no longer scatter ashes over football grounds or historic sites and places of outstanding beauty like Ben Nevis? Or why crematoriums replace their flower beds so often?

This information is not generally passed on to families when they are making decisions about their loved ones. Many of us would like to know, and being more informed allows us all to make better choices for our own mental wellbeing, and for the planet.

With 61% of consumers from a recent (Trajectory) survey unaware of the problems with cremated remains, and 78% of people wanting a more environmentally friendly funeral - it’s clear that once the message gets out, the solutions will be popular.

In 2021, 79% of all deaths in England ended with cremation - creating 1400 tonnes of remains. If we were to include pets too, the figures could double. It really is a growing problem, but thankfully one with an easy solution.

What Actually Happens?

The toxicity within cremated remains mainly arises from their very high pH and extremely high levels of sodium (Na).

When cremated remains come into contact with water the negative processes are even worse.
Cremation ashes contaminate areas beyond where they are placed – imagine a drop of water on tissue and how it spreads
Cremated remains don’t degrade and become part of the soil, they stay in the ground for many decades, continuing to contaminate the surrounding area.
Soil degradation in England and Wales is calculated to cost £1.2 billion every year.
Years of research means this process is now well understood. Soil expert Sherry Yarkosky leads current studies and said: “Cremated remains, when mixed with soil start a catastrophic series of events that results in dead plants and barren soil.”

“Do the best you can until you know better.

Then when you know better, do better.”

Maya Angelou

Second Bereavement

One horrible outcome of planting or scattering a beloved person or pet alongside a favourite tree or special location, is that the damage caused could result in the death of that plant or area.

This can cause the feelings of a second loss, another bereavement beginning while the first grief is still being processed. Without knowing what went wrong, we could continue with a new planting or new grass, and still have the same outcome. Layers of grief that could so easily have been avoided.

Memorial plantings are such a good way to retain a living connection to a special person, so it’s vital that people are confident their efforts will be successful.

What Can We Do?

There are ways to prevent soil damage. One would be to keep cremated remains away from nature, using an urn and keeping them indoors. Some people use small amounts to make jewellery or other memorial items.

If adding cremated remains to soil, simple steps can be taken to not only mitigate the negative effects of cremation ashes on the environment, but to turn them into a benefit for soil, plants, and animals alike.

Certain products now even allow you to grow trees and plants directly mixed with cremation remains, using the minerals and elements to nourish and grow the chosen tree or plant. When researching planting or scattering options, always remember to ask about the impact of a product or service. If a company is not able to explain how they manage the environmental impact, it may not be a suitable product.

It’s also important to understand the difference between a product being environmentally friendly in its creation, and its use. For example, many items are beautifully sustainable until they are buried.

Living Memorial was born to tackle the above issue. The Living Memorial soil blend is specially formulated to restore the natural soil pH and neutralise the high concentration of sodium and calcium ions. It also slowly breaks down the cremated remains to release their beneficial nutrients, which helps plants and microbes to grow and thrive. Being new to the UK, we build on our learning from the US to reflect our own climatic conditions.

Living Memorial are a valued member of the ESGmark® community driving change in the bereavement industry through education and through turning the emotionally challenging experience of losing a loved one into beautiful, lasting, and sustainable memories. Learn more about their work here, and read our Q&A with founder and CEO Simon to learn more about their mission.

Guest Blog: The Truth About Ashes…