What To Do With Baby’s Ashes: Creative Ideas

After the death of a loved one, deciding what to do with the ashes may be extremely tough, especially if the person was a kid. You want to make the finest decision possible for their last resting place in order to honor their memory.

Even if you’ve heard about cremation a thousand times, you might not know what it is or how it works. To assist you in making this difficult decision during your time of loss, we’ll explain the procedure before you decide what to do with your baby’s ashes.

Cremation: What You Should Know

While there are many myths regarding the history of cremation, one thing is certain: this practice dates back over two millennia. Nonetheless, it is always a mystery to us. After all, we’re never shown what happens after the body enters the chamber. However, learning more about cremation might help you relax your mind and feel more at ease with the concept.

The Process

Nowadays, crematories employ industrial furnaces known as retorts, which are chambers created expressly for the procedure. The entire procedure takes two to three hours, but the crematory must first check that the body has been correctly recognized and permitted for cremation, as well as that it is placed in an appropriate container, such as a coffin or hard cardboard. They will also ensure that the dead are treated with the greatest care and respect possible, as well as that the operator is kept safe.

Following the cremation, the remains will be pulverized, resulting in ashes, which will be deposited in an urn. In most situations, the deceased’s relatives will be able to attend the cremation, but space is generally limited, so the family may need to negotiate with the facility to determine how many people will be allowed.

The Ashes

Ashes are the term for cremated remains. When a newborn is cremated, roughly 88 cubic inches of ashes are produced, depending on their size and the crematory’s unique process.

Cremation vs. Burial

Both cremation and in-ground burial have different effects on the body. Cremation involves the use of heat, whereas a burial involves the decomposition of the body.

When picking between the two, there are a few things to consider, such as cost, family and religious traditions, and other variables that are specific to you. After all, no one else but you can make the right decision for your precious child.

Why do people choose to be cremated?

There are several reasons why families who have lost their angels prefer cremation. For starters, it provides individuals with more alternatives for dealing with their pain. Rather than being buried, cremation allows people to retain their loved ones near to them in an urn, memorial jewelry, or a special spot.

Another argument is that it is cost-effective. Cremation eliminates the need for cemetery fees, headstone fees, a coffin and gravesite, and other costs associated with traditional burials. There’s also the obvious advantage of environmental friendliness.

Because, unlike a burial, the beloved baby’s cremains would be movable, there is no need to acquire a parcel of land. The family will never have to leave a piece of themselves behind if they decide to relocate.

What Should You Do With Your Baby’s Ashes?

If you’ve just lost a child and are considering cremation, there are several options to explore, allowing you greater control over your healing and moving on.

Interment

The interment of your baby’s ashes in a permanent site, such as a cemetery, a columbarium, or private land, is a popular choice. If you’re religious, this should be an excellent method to keep the tradition of providing a secure and permanent resting place for human ashes alive.

Memorial Service

You can organize a memorial ceremony or a celebration of life using your loved one’s ashes if you choose direct cremation for a newborn. Instead of having the ceremony at the crematorium, you can have it whenever and anywhere you like.

Scattering of Ashes

Scattering cremains is by far the most common choice. This is generally done somewhere significant to the deceased or their family. While this appears to be an easy task, it does need some forethought. You generally won’t want to do it in a crowded setting, and you might want to make this a really somber occasion. You might select a secluded location where just you, your loved ones, and your baby’s ashes are present.

The good news is that you may hire an expert to handle the planning for you. One of the most compelling reasons to choose them is that they are skilled and experienced in the application of clear-cut regulations and standards.

The Gravesite of the Family

If you have exclusive burial rights to a location, this is perhaps the most obvious site where your baby’s cremains can be distributed without causing any problems. Otherwise, you may need to renew an expired contract or get permission from the new owner.

Body of Water

No license or permission is required to scatter your loved one’s ashes in the water. However, you must adhere to the Environmental Agency’s tight standards, such as ensuring that everything strewn with the ashes is biodegradable and that you are at least one kilometer upstream of water collecting stations.

You must also be far enough away from beaches and other swimming areas, and disperse the cremains on a cool day, keeping the urn close to the sea to avoid the ashes blowing into your faces.

Private Land

There’s no reason not to spread your baby’s ashes on private property if you obtain the landowner’s permission. Keep in mind that if and when the owner decides to sell or rent the property, you may have difficulty gaining access.

National Trust Land, Natural Parks, and Public Land

If you ask permission from the site manager, don’t leave any marks or tributes on the scattering site, and leave the location exactly as it was when you arrived, you shouldn’t have any problems scattering your loved one’s cremains in a natural trust land or natural park in the UK.

Also, even though public land (such as village greens) is not private property, you must obtain permission before dispersing ashes there.

Mountaintop

The idea of scattering your loved one’s ashes on a mountainside appeals to you. Although, from a conservation standpoint, that would be a bad idea. Experts say it’s great to burn human ashes in a favorable area on the climb up since they contain minerals that can alter the natural plant environment on mountaintops. You’d have even more solitude with your infant.

Sports Grounds and Stadiums

Most sports fields and stadiums no longer allow ashes to be scattered, but some do allow it on specially designated memorial sites within the perimeter. In most circumstances, the more popular a location is, the less likely it is that you will be permitted to disperse ashes there.

Scattering Ashes in Innovative Ways

Families nowadays tend to be creative and adventurous with their lost loved ones’ ashes, which is likely part of their grieving process and coping mechanism. If you fall into this category, consider the following options:

Coral Reef

If you love the sea, you may make your child a part of it by transforming them into coral. Human ashes are converted into concrete reefs that serve as a home for marine life.

Cuddly Toy

You may place your child’s cremation ashes in one of her favorite teddy bears or any other soft item that you can keep close to you, knowing she’s still within and very dear to your heart.

Tree or Plant

Are you a fan of the outdoors? Why not acquire an urn and fill it with soil ingredients to start a tree? When the tree gets tall enough, you’ll be able to sit in the shade of your baby. You might even improvise by planting something in a container and taking her with you wherever you go.

Sculpture

You may transform your baby’s ashes into sculpting material and have her image honored through a charming sculpture in addition to depositing her ashes inside a soft toy. One of the finest methods to keep your angel close and adored for the rest of your life.

Balloon

Another fantastic suggestion is to place your baby’s ashes in a huge, helium-powered balloon, which will explode and scatter the cremains when it reaches a height of roughly five miles. Your loved one can reach the edge of space if you employ a special high-altitude balloon!

Jewelry

Cremains can also be worn as jewelry by encasing them in a locket and putting them around your neck. Her ashes can even be used to create a brilliant diamond. Although it is a more expensive choice, the end product would be stunning.

Windchimes

What better way to keep your baby’s memories alive than by hearing a pleasant sound frequently? You may have their ashes turned into colorful glass wind chimes to hang in your window or garden. You’ll feel them with you whenever the wind blows.

Garden Birdbath

Putting your child’s ashes at the base of a garden birdbath is one of the more unusual methods to create a personal monument for her. Even if you’re not a bird enthusiast, it’s a touching way to honor your loved one’s life, and you can even aid the local animals.

Painting

Making art out of a loved one’s ashes is very trendy nowadays. You may have your baby’s cremains combined into art materials like beeswax and painted on canvas. Hang the painting somewhere where everyone may see it and think of her every day.

Tattoo

This will allow you to actually wear your heart on your sleeve. There are tattoo artists that specialize in utilizing ashes-infused bespoke ink, so this is another unique option to keep your sweetheart close to you.

Vinyl Record

If you really want to go above and beyond, you may now incorporate your baby’s ashes into a playable vinyl record of the family’s favorite music. You may listen to it as much as you like, and it will fill your house with music and memories.

Making a Decision

Don’t hurry whatever you decide to do with your angel’s ashes. But keep in mind that this is a choice you can make even if you’re mourning. This may even be the greatest moment to make your decision since you’ll be so in tune with your emotions that you’ll be able to make a decision based on how you truly feel. Your child may be physically gone, but they may live on in your heart in whatever manner you wish.

However, don’t feel compelled to do something you’re not passionate about. Even if you’re still unsure what you want, well-intentioned friends and family sometimes make ideas that aren’t in line with what you desire. For example, if your beliefs prevent you from doing anything more unusual, such as sprinkling ashes, then so be it. If keeping your baby’s ashes at home in an urn or at a cremation would bring you peace and strength while you grieve, do so.

If you need help after you’ve devised a strategy, don’t hesitate to hire a professional. Many individuals do this when the grief of losing a loved one is so great that they are unable to organize the cremation alone.

Of course, not every crematory or crematory service is the same. Allow yourself plenty of time to find the right one, which means you’ll probably need to do some research. This is a very sensitive time in your life, and you want everything to go as smoothly as possible for your family and to celebrate your precious baby’s life.