What do you do with the ashes of a loved one after a ceremony? Writer Hunter S Thompson famously requested his ashes to be blasted skyward, carried by red, blue and silver fireworks. And I'm pretty sure that you can do the same in this country (* never worked with them but look at 'Heavens Above Fireworks').
Organisations such as The National Trust do try to be supportive and are willing to consider a formal request.
Similarly, The Woodland Trust are happy for ashes to be scattered , provided there isn't a formal ceremony - so perfect for a family, private good bye. And of course, both of these organisations are charities, so a donation would be welcome to help support their good work. In essence, my advice is to seek permission and guidance: generally, people do want to be supportive and respectful, but there broader issues - privacy, ecological, environmental that do need to be respected.
There are so many options - from simply keeping the ashes at home (as many people do) to scattering them in a garden of remembrance - The Bereavement Advice Centre offers some very clear advice to get you started. Personally, I'm not sure about having my ashes turned into a diamond - its possible but the cost is probably betters pent on buying pure diamonds (practical to the end!) and as for a tattoo with a loved ones ashes...Nothing against the idea, but lots of strong feelings about the pain involved in any tattoo (I'm a man - I can barely cope with man flu!). The thing is, there are a great many options and probably most things are possible. Let me know if you hear of other unusual approaches...
Just FYI, the fireworK picture is a generic picture (copyright: Andrew Jackson) and not from Hunter S Thompson's ceremony.
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