How to Divide Ashes for Various Uses after Cremation

It is not unheard of for family members to have different ideas on where the remains should go after cremation. A common advice by cremation services in Phoenix, AZ, for solving this dilemma is to divide the ashes.

But without state laws on ash division, how does this work? Here we answer that question.

1. Ask the Funeral or Crematorium Director

A neutral party is always the best option for scenarios like this. But without a court-appointed figure, the funeral or crematorium director is the next best thing.

They understand the emotional weight of the process and are likely to divide the ashes without any implicit bias.

It doesn’t matter if you’ve had the remains for months and just decided to divide them into different urns. You can return to the crematorium and request for them to complete this process for you.

Some directors might charge you for this process. Others might do it for free. Ideally, it should be the latter.

2. Ask a friend to divide the ashes

Consider asking a friend if a cremation professional feels too impersonal for such an emotional exercise or the crematorium refuses to handle the task.

Have a meeting to agree on the terms with other family members and whoever else might be involved. Then give your friend the instructions and materials to complete the process.

This includes ziplock bags, plastic gloves, a funnel, and a newspaper to collect spilled ashes. If the agreement requires equal division of the ashes, get a kitchen scale.

3. Divide the Ashes yourself

Lastly, there is nothing wrong with dividing the ashes yourself. Doing so might help fulfill and honor your loved one’s wishes.

Before you do, make sure you have all the requisite materials and do it indoors. Don’t do it on a windy day if you have to do it outside.

Also, try to involve other family members. It will give everyone a sense of ownership of the process.

After the Division, What Happens Next?

Once you’ve successfully divided the ashes, make sure to store them securely in separate containers. This could be individual urns or ziplock bags.

Give each family member their portion of the remains to honor the deceased in their own way.

If the entire cremains are yours and you only did so to carry out different creative forms of disposition, make sure to store each bag in a cool, dry place. Especially if you plan on executing each idea at various points in time.

Possible ideas include burying the ashes with a seed to grow a memorial tree or keeping the remains permanently in your home. You can also create keepsake jewelry for you and your children.

These are all valid ways to handle your portion of a loved one’s cremated remains. But it all starts with fairly dividing the ashes, which can be extreme emotional situations.

To avoid conflict, consider reaching out to a Phoenix AZ cremation service director like ours at Simply Cremation & Funeral Arrangements. With years of experience combined with the utmost discretion, we can help you navigate this difficult period with minimal stress. Visit our location or call us today before it is too late.

 

Cremation: Why Plan Ahead?

Planning ahead for your cremation and funeral arrangements has many benefits. It provides peace of mind knowing that your final wishes will be carried out, saves your family from having to make difficult decisions during a difficult time, and can even save you money. Cremation is an increasingly popular choice for those looking to pre-plan their funeral arrangements. Cremation offers many benefits over traditional burial, including it is more environmentally friendly, it is less expensive, and it allows for more personalization of your final send-off.

Cremation gives you the flexibility to choose how you want your final arrangements to be handled. You can have a traditional funeral service or a more unique celebration of life. You can also choose to have your ashes scattered or kept in an urn.