What If I Don’t Want To Be Cremated Or Buried? What Is Allowed As A Funeral Request?
In her latest blog, Jo Robinson discusses funeral requests and how a genuine question from a family member got her thinking….
I quite often have unusual funeral requests from clients when preparing their Wills, but a question I was asked by my daughter’s boyfriend, Ryan, was ‘Can I Be Fed To Lions After My Death?’ His reasoning was that he wanted to be part of the circle of life and for his body to be put to use after his death. I didn’t know the answer to his question and so began my research into this gruesome subject!
It turns out that Ryan is not alone in his thinking – a simple Google search revealed that Ricky Gervais also wanted to be fed to lions after his death as he wanted to “give something back”. Sadly, Ricky was rejected by London Zoo on the grounds that he might be a bit gristly for the lions. I suspect though that the decision was more to do with the legalities of the request.
Funeral Requests – So What Is Allowed?
Having spent a few hours researching this fascinating subject, I found that there are many quirky ways for your body to be disposed of after your death.
Body Farms
Forensic scientists are working with the British military to open the UK’s first human taphonomy facility (also known as a ‘body farm’).
Taphonomy is the science of decomposition and the idea behind the facility is to help police solve more murders. Police would be able to learn more accurately about when someone has died, as well as being able to identify potential criminals from fingerprints or DNA on decomposed skin. There are already 9 body farms in use around the world including in America, Australia and Holland. The human corpses are buried in soil, left in water, hung from trees and allowed to decompose in a field.
Medical Science
If the above is too gruesome for you then you could consider donating your body to medical science. Body donations are vital for the education of our future healthcare professionals, or for scientific research and improving medical procedures. If this appeals to you then you will need to make plans whilst you are alive as only you can consent to the donation of your body after your death. You will also need to have been accepted by a medical facility, – such as a medical school and you will need to sign an agreement which must be witnessed. Once accepted, you will need to inform your family and friends, your GP and keep a copy of the agreement with your Will. When the body arrives, it is embalmed and sometimes certain organs or body parts are removed and dissected. Bodies can only be used for up to 3 years before being returned to the family for burial or cremation.
Burial At Sea
For £50.00 you can obtain a licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to be buried at sea in one of three sites. For £175 you can obtain a licence for burial to take place elsewhere off the coast of England and Wales. The executors of your Will will need to provide the MMO with your death certificate, a certificate of freedom from fever and infection and a notice to the Coroner of intention to remove the body out of England. Your body must not be embalmed and your coffin must be made of non-toxic biodegradable material.
Become A Diamond
If you like sparkly things then you could consider becoming a diamond. The diamonds are made by extracting the carbon from the cremated remains and then putting the carbon under a large amount of pressure and heat for several days to grow into a real diamond. The diamond can then be made into jewellery such as a ring or necklace.
Go Off In A Firework
If you want to go off with a bang then how about becoming part of a firework display? There are companies out there that will take your ashes and put them in a firework to set off in the sky. They work directly with the family of the deceased to create a firework event that is memorable, joyful and truly celebratory of their loved one’s life.
Become A Living Urn
If you like all things nature then you could become a living urn. The urn works by mixing cremated ashes with a neutralising agent, tree seedling roots and growth mix. Your family could then plant you in the garden or a place that is special to them.
Help Dying Reefs
If you have always fancied the sea, but don’t like the idea of being buried at sea, then you could become a reef ball. The reef ball is made from your ashes and is placed on a dying reef to help them regenerate.
Space Travel
If you have always wanted to travel into space then it is possible to buy an individual flight capsule that holds your ashes and goes into space. The capsule eventually returns to Earth and is handed back to your family.
Become A Record
If music is your thing then there is a company that will actually press your ashes into a record and you can even record your voice on to the track and leave a last message or song to be remembered by. Personally, I find this last one a bit scary!
Whatever your wishes, you need to make them clear to your family or friends so that they know what to do after you have gone. One way of recording your wishes is to include them in a Will.
If you would like to make a Will or require advice regarding Wills and Probate related matters then please telephone me on 01332 364436 or e-mail me at j.robinson@timms-law.com.
May 2023