Most people will choose to be buried or cremated and then for their ashes to be scattered somewhere special to them or with loved ones who have gone before them. Alternatively, they might choose to be buried in a church yard.
However, we do get more quirky requests, and I recall being asked to include a funeral wish to ensure that deceased’s assets were put into a firework to be set off in memory of them.
These aren’t the only options though and I set out below some of the more unusual ones.
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 by studying the bodies left with them. There are already body farms in use around the world including in America, Australia and Holland. Quite gruesomely, the human corpses are buried in soil, left in water, hung from trees and allowed to decompose in a field before being examined.
Medical Science
You could consider donating your body to medical science which can be vital for the education of our future healthcare professionals, scientific research and improving medical procedures. If this appeals to you then you will need to make plans whilst you are alive as you will need to consent to the donation before death. A medical facility will also need to ‘accept’ your body as being suitable for their uses, so this needs to be arranged in your lifetime. Once accepted, you will need to inform your family, friends and your GP and ensure that you keep a copy of the agreement with your Will so that your wishes can be carried out after your death. Bodies can only be used for up to 3 years before being returned to the family for burial or cremation.
Burial At Sea
For a relatively small fee you can obtain a licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to be buried at sea at a dedicated site or elsewhere off the coast of England and Wales. There are certain documents that your Executors will need to arrange for this to happen and there are also rules about the type of coffin that you can have, so research and planning is needed!
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 for loved ones to keep.
Become A Living Urn
A living urn is created by mixing cremated ashes with a neutralising agent, tree seedling roots and growth mix. Your family would then have the option to plant the living urn in a garden or somewhere that is special to them.
Help Dying Reefs
Similarly, it is possible to have a reef ball made from your ashes which can then be placed on a dying reef to help it to regenerate.
Space Travel
Space travel may not be possible for all during their lifetimes, but after death it is possible for your ashes to be sent to space in an individual flight capsule that holds your ashes and goes into space. The capsule will eventually return to earth can be returned to your family, perhaps for a more traditional burial.
Become A Record
Last but not least, you could choose to have your ashes pressed into a record which can be played by family members and other loved ones. Apparently, it is possible to even record your voice on to the track and leave a last message or song to be remembered by.
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. You might wish to do this by making the arrangements in your lifetime, arranging a funeral plan or including your wishes in your Will.
How Can Timms Help?
If you would like to make a Will or require advice regarding Wills and Probate related matters then please telephone me on 01283 214 231 or e-mail me at c.day@timms-law.com
