Deciding what to do with a parent’s ashes can be a difficult and emotional decision. One of the most popular decisions is to divide the ashes between family members who would like to keep them. This could be siblings, children, or even close friends, who all can keep a small portion of the ashes close to them at their own homes or special places.
Another option is to bury the ashes in a cemetery or special location that has meaning to the family or the deceased. This could be in a family Cemetery plot or a place with special significance in the decedent’s life.
Another option is to scatter the ashes, either in a meaningful location like a favorite hiking trail, body of water, or garden, or simply out at sea. In some cases, a family memorial service can be held in honor of the deceased, and the ashes can be scattered together at this time.
Finally, some people choose to create a cremation urn filled with ashes that they can display in their home or in a public place like a church. This allows family members to keep the urn in an important location and have a physical reminder of the person who has passed away.
No matter which option you choose, it is important to do something that honors the person’s memory and respects their desires. In some cases, these decisions should be made as a family to make sure everyone is comfortable with the final result.
After a decision has been made, it can provide solace and closure to those who loved and lost the parent.
Should you keep your parents ashes?
When deciding whether or not to keep a deceased loved one’s ashes, the decision should ultimately come down to what is best and most comforting for you and your family. Everyone’s situation and relationship with their loved one is unique, so it’s important to consider your personal feelings and familial ties before making a decision.
If you decide it is best to keep the ashes of your deceased parent, it is important to consider where and how the ashes will be kept. Some families choose to divide ashes among family members so that each has a tangible reminder of their loved one.
Others may choose to keep the ashes in a piece of jewelry or in an urn. Wherever you choose to keep the ashes, it is important to be mindful of safety issues and to ensure that the ashes will be safeguarded for many years to come.
No matter what you decide, it is important that you take the time to reflect on your loved one and honor their life in whatever way brings you the greatest comfort.
Is it good to keep cremated ashes at home?
Whether it is good or not to keep cremated ashes at home ultimately comes down to personal preference. For some, having a physical reminder of their loved one’s life in their home can be calming, as it provides a sense of comfort and connection to the deceased.
On the other hand, others might find it emotionally taxing and difficult to cope with so much emphasis on death.
If you’re considering keeping ashes at home, it is important to think about what brings dignity and respect to the deceased. An urn or box to contain the ashes is recommended, and the ashes should be placed in a place of honour such as a mantelpiece.
Cremation ashes are not hazardous to health, so you don’t need to worry about safety if you do decide to keep ashes at home.
However, you should expect that the ashes will require periodic cleaning and care, since ashes may accumulate dust and particles over time. If the ashes are spread outdoors, consider having a special memorial or stone to mark the spot so that the memory of your loved one is appropriately respected by visitors.
Ultimately, keeping the ashes at home or having them scattered should be a personal decision, based on what you feel is best for both you and your loved one.
How long should you keep cremated ashes?
Ultimately, the decision is up to you and your family. Some people choose to keep the ashes indefinitely, while others choose to bury, scatter, or keep the ashes for a specific period of time. If you choose to keep the ashes, you may want to consider displaying or storing them in an urn, or even placing them in a memorial box or other special location.
Additionally, there are companies that specialize in creating and selling personalized urns and memorial items with which to honor and remember the deceased. Ultimately, it is your choice how long you keep cremated ashes, and what you would like to do with them in the future.
What does God say about keeping ashes?
According to the Bible, God does not specifically address the concept of keeping ashes. However, He does provide commands related to cremation and the disposal of ashes. In the Old Testament, God commanded that the ashes of birds that were sacrificed to Him be scattered on the ground as a sign of respect (Leviticus 1:16).
Additionally, God made a distinction between the burial of humans and the cremation of humans. In Deuteronomy 21:22-23, he explicitly commanded that no human body should ever be cremated, as this was a pagan custom used by the dead to signify their worship of false gods.
Ultimately, since God does not specifically address the concept of keeping ashes, this is a decision that will be left to individual interpretation. At the end of the day, no matter how ashes are disposed of, the decision should be guided by a respect for the dead, their memory, and God’s holiness.
Why do people keep their loved ones ashes?
People keep the ashes of their loved ones to maintain a connection to them even after they have passed away. It can offer a sense of solace and comfort in a time of distress, as it can somehow offer a physical reminder that their loved one is still with them, even in their absence.
Keeping the ashes of a deceased family member can represent a way to carry on their memory and place importance on the special bond shared by those two individuals. It may also be a way to honor them and celebrate the life they lead.
Additionally, some people prefer to keep the ashes in an urn as a way to pay homage and respect to the deceased and create a positive atmosphere that symbolizes life and remembrance.
Where should I put my ashes in the house?
When deciding where to put your ashes in the house, it is important to consider both what would be meaningful and appropriate, and any safety concerns.
If you want your ashes to remain in the home, a nice and meaningful option is to choose a spot in the home that was important to you. This may be a corner of the house where you used to relax, a space where you kept treasured items, or a spot that allowed you to look out and appreciate nature.
Alternatively, if there is a meaningful item of furniture with sentimental value, such as a favorite chair, this could be a nice place to store the ashes.
If you are looking for a creative or decorative option, many choose to display their ashes in a special urn or a decorative box. This box can be set on a mantel, table top or any other appropriate place in the home.
It is important to be aware of any safety concerns when placing your ashes. For example, do not place the urn or ashes near any sources of heat (fireplace, heating vents, radiators, etc.) or in an area that could be susceptible to drafts as this may cause the ashes to spread.
No matter your choice, it is important to remember that the ashes will adequately be contained and safe when stored within the home.
Do human ashes have energy?
Yes, it is believed that human ashes have energy. Various ancient cultures, such as those in India, China, and Japan, all believed that after death, a person’s spirit remained, and the ashes served to protect the deceased’s spirit until it departed.
Each culture believes that the physical body and the soul can only be separated at death, and so the ashes contain the energy and power of that soul.
Today, many people describe the feeling of being around ashes as a powerful and calming experience. Some say that when they are near the ashes, they can feel a strong and comforting energy; this feeling is often described as calming and powerful.
This feeling of energy is said to be due to the presence of the deceased’s spirit which is still lingering near the ashes.
The belief that human ashes contain energy is also held by many followers of shamanic traditions that hold shamanic rituals, the use of ceremonies, dances and chants to drive away negative energies. Another belief held by some is that the soul eventually returns to the ash and is reborn in a new form; this is why many people keep ashes of their beloved ones.
Whether one believes in the power of human ashes or not, what cannot be denied is that the ashes serve both a symbolic and a spiritual role in many cultures and religions. For some, human ashes are reminders of the soul of the departed and a tangible reminder of the lasting presence of that spirit.
Is it OK to touch cremated ashes?
Yes, it is generally acceptable to touch cremation ashes. However, it is important to bear in mind that the cremated remains represent the physical form of the person who has passed away, and therefore it is important to treat them with respect.
Many families choose to have a ceremony or special ritual in order to honor the memory of their loved one and this is often seen as an appropriate time to handle the cremated ashes. Some individuals also opt to have individual containers for each member of their family so that they can each have a moment to process the emotion of the loss and connect with the ashes of their loved one one-on-one.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual family to decide what feels right for them in terms of handling the cremation remains, and it is important that everyone involved honors their feelings of respect and reverence.
Do Christians keep ashes at home?
No, Christians typically do not keep ashes at home. Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a 6-week period of spiritual preparation leading up to Easter. On Ash Wednesday, a priest will typically place small crosses of ashes on the foreheads of individuals to represent the occasion and to remind the faithful of their mortality.
This ritual symbolizes mortality and repentance, and is meant to signify the believer’s preparation for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. In many cases, the ashes will remain on the forehead for the rest of the day and into the evening, as an outward sign of repentance and as a reminder that death awaits us all.
Although many Christians take remembrances of this special day home, such as a cross made from the ashes, it is typically not appropriate to keep ashes in the home. Doing so can jeopardize the sanctity of the ashes and may be seen as a sign of disrespect.
Where does your soul go if you are cremated?
According to the Hindu belief system, the soul, or atman, of a person who is cremated will return to the cosmic source of all existence. This is achieved through the process of moksha, which is the liberation of the individual soul from the cycle of births and deaths.
In the Hindu belief system, the release of the soul from the cycle of death and rebirth is known as liberation or moksha. The process of liberation begins when the soul separates from its physical body at the moment of death and enters into a new realm of existence, known as paramapadam, or moksha.
In Hinduism, humans who have achieved spiritual moksha will not be reborn, but will instead move onto a higher realm of existence which is completely free of pain and suffering. Cremation is believed to have a strong spiritual significance, as it symbolizes a person’s final journey to the cosmic source, free of materialistic attachments.
It is thought that the cremation process purifies the soul and helps it to attain moksha. Cremation is usually seen as a more respectful and dignified way to honor the dead, as it is a physical way of saying goodbye and acknowledging the individual’s journey to the spiritual realm.
Is cremation a sin against God?
No, cremation is not a sin against God. In fact, God is not opposed to cremation because He doesn’t have a specific opinion on the matter, so it is ultimately up to the individual’s personal beliefs.
Cremation is simply an alternative to traditional burial, and there are many religious traditions that accept or even encourage cremation as a way of honoring the dead. The Bible does not support cremation, however, it does not specifically condemn it either.
In the end, whether a person is cremated or buried is a personal decision that should be made with respect and honor for the deceased. There are a variety of reasons why someone may choose cremation over the traditional burial, such as cost savings, environmental responsibility, and the ability to keep a loved one’s ashes as a more personal memorial.
That being said, there is nothing in the Bible that would lead someone to believe that cremation is a sin against God.
Does the Bible say if you’re cremated?
The Bible does not specifically address the issue of cremation or provide a definitive answer as to whether or not it is permissible. The Bible is silent on whether or not cremation should be practiced and does not give any commands or prohibitions concerning this method of disposal of the body.
However, many Christians believe that they should oppose cremation because they base their beliefs on certain passages from the Bible which seem to imply that the body should remain whole and in the ground until the Day of Resurrection.
For example, in job 19:25-27 it says, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will stand upon the earth. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God.” This passage implies that the body remains whole and complete after death.
In other passages, it is suggested that the body should be buried and not burned such as in Genesis 3:19, where God tells Adam, “For dust you are and unto dust you shall return.”
Nevertheless, it is important to note that the Bible does not explicitly forbid cremation. Therefore, it is ultimately up to individual Christians to decide whether or not they believe that cremation is an acceptable practice.
What can you do with ashes spiritually?
Using ashes spiritually has many different meanings and traditions, depending on the particular culture and belief system. In Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day of Lent, a period of fasting and prayer.
On that day, worshippers traditionally receive a cross of ashes on their forehead, symbolizing repentance and mortification of the flesh. In Hindu and Sikh traditions, ashes can be used to honor deceased ancestors and release the soul from samsara, the cycle of reincarnation and suffering.
In Buddhism, a person aptly approaching death may be shrouded in ashes in order to help them reach Nirvana, or the final liberation from suffering. Additionally, some Pagans and Witches use ashes for cleansing and protection rituals.
This often includes smudging practices with substances such as frankincense, as well as burning sage or special herbs. Lastly, there is an emerging movement of people practicing ash scattering. This involves collecting the ashes of a loved one in a container and scatters them in a meaningful spot, such as in the ocean, on a mountain, or a garden.
In this way, ashes can help spark a moment of reflection and connection with the person that has passed.