Can You Combine Ashes from Two People?
Understanding the Process and Special Considerations
The loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and emotional journey that often involves many decisions. Among these is the question of how to honor the memory of those we have lost. For some families, the idea of combining the ashes of two individuals — whether spouses, family members, or close friends — is a meaningful way to symbolically represent their bond even after death.
It’s a unique choice that can hold profound emotional significance, as well as practical considerations. So, what exactly does it mean to combine the ashes of two individuals, and what are the key things you need to know before proceeding with this choice?
The Possibility of Combining Ashes: Yes, It’s Possible
Yes, it is possible to combine ashes from two people, but there are some important factors to consider. Whether the ashes are those of a married couple who spent their lives together, best friends who were inseparable, or even parent and child, combining remains is a way for families to keep their loved ones together. However, there are logistical, legal, and emotional considerations that should be addressed before proceeding.
Legal Considerations and Permissions
While the act of combining ashes is not illegal in itself, there are strict legal regulations in place to ensure that cremation remains are returned to the correct family and treated with the proper respect. These laws govern the handling, transportation, and disposal of cremated remains, and funeral homes and crematories are held accountable to these standards.
Special Permission Is Required: Crematoriums and funeral homes require special permission before combining ashes, especially if the remains were cremated at different locations. If both individuals were cremated at the same facility, combining their ashes may be simpler, but in other cases, special arrangements will need to be made.
Documenting the Cremation: Each cremation is documented, and every effort is made to ensure that the remains of the correct individual are returned to their family. This documentation is critical for the legal and moral integrity of the process. Special attention needs to be given to the fact that combining ashes may alter the identity of the remains, making it essential that families give clear instructions to the funeral home or crematory.
Cremation Chambers and Segregation of Ashes: During the cremation process, ashes are typically not "mixed" with those of other people. Crematories take great care to ensure that the remains of each individual are handled separately. Any intervention, such as combining ashes, is typically done only after the remains have been processed and returned to the family. Cremation identification procedures are followed to ensure each set of ashes is correctly attributed to the deceased.
Practical Aspects of Combining Ashes
When considering combining ashes, it’s important to think about the practical aspects and emotional implications of doing so. Many people find that they wish to honor their loved ones by keeping their ashes together in a shared resting place, while others may feel that dividing the ashes is a better option. Here’s what you need to know about the process:
Dividing Ashes: If you want to divide the ashes between different family members, it’s not necessary to fully combine the remains. Many families choose to divide ashes into smaller portions so that each family member can hold a portion of their loved one’s remains. This can be done in a symbolic and respectful way, using smaller urns or keepsake containers that reflect the individual's wishes.
Memorial Jewelry: Another way to divide ashes is through memorial jewelry, which allows families to carry a small portion of their loved one’s remains with them in the form of a pendant, ring, or bracelet. Memorial jewelry can be a deeply personal way to honor a lost loved one, and it can be passed down through generations.
Custom Urns and Keepsakes: For families who want to keep the remains of both individuals together, joint urnsare available. These are designed specifically to hold the remains of two people and often include options for personalization, such as engraved names, dates, or symbols that represent the individuals' lives.
BONAVENTURE’s Special Packages for Combined Ashes
At BONAVENTURE, we understand that the decision to combine the ashes of two people is a deeply meaningful one, and we are committed to helping families honor their loved ones with care, respect, and professionalism. We offer a range of specialized packages that allow families to combine ashes in a way that reflects the lives of the deceased while also providing comfort and peace to those who remain.
Customized Ashes Packages
When you choose to combine the ashes of two individuals, there are numerous ways to memorialize them. At BONAVENTURE, we provide customizable packages that give families flexibility in deciding how they want the remains to be honored. Some of the most popular options include:
Joint Urns: These specially designed urns are made to hold the ashes of two individuals. Joint urns often have compartments or sections that allow the remains to be stored together, and they can be personalized with engraved names, dates, and even meaningful quotes or images. These urns serve as a lasting tribute to the bond between the deceased and can be displayed in the family’s home or kept in a meaningful location.
Keepsake Containers: If family members wish to keep portions of the combined ashes, we offer keepsake containers that allow them to divide the ashes into smaller portions. These can include smaller urns, decorative boxes, or even memorial jewelry such as pendants or rings. These keepsakes help maintain the connection to loved ones, whether kept at home or worn as a reminder of their presence.
Destination Ash Scattering Services
Another option that BONAVENTURE offers is destination ash scattering services, allowing families to choose a special location to scatter the ashes of their loved ones. If you are combining the ashes of two people, you can choose a place that holds sentimental value for both individuals, such as a favorite park, beach, or a place where they shared meaningful memories.
Guided Scattering Services: BONAVENTURE works with professional park rangers and certified guides to ensure that scattering is done in a respectful manner, following all local regulations and best practices. This means that the ashes will be scattered in a way that minimizes environmental impact and preserves the integrity of the location. Our team ensures that families can grieve and remember their loved ones while feeling secure in the knowledge that the scattering will be handled with the utmost care.
Scattering with Respect: At BONAVENTURE, we also understand the importance of compassionate and respectful service when scattering ashes. Whether you choose to scatter ashes at a local park, in the ocean, or in a private and meaningful location, our team will be there to assist with every step of the process, helping you create a lasting tribute for your loved ones.
Memorial Services and Personalized Tributes
For families who wish to add a special touch to the scattering or memorialization of combined ashes, we offer the option of personalized readings or special ceremonies. Whether it’s a poem, prayer, or a personal message that reflects the lives of the deceased, these readings can provide a heartfelt tribute to the bond they shared.
Poems and Readings: Many families find comfort in incorporating personalized readings into the ceremony. Whether the reading is a religious prayer, a favorite poem, or a message written by the family, it serves as a final expression of love and remembrance.
Memorial Ceremonies: BONAVENTURE offers customizable memorial ceremonies to help honor the lives of both individuals. Whether you wish to hold a private gathering or invite a larger group, we can assist in coordinating a service that includes the combining of ashes and any additional elements that are meaningful to your family.
Emotional Considerations When Combining Ashes
Choosing to combine the ashes of two people is more than just a logistical decision. It’s an emotional one, and it can be a powerful way to honor the lasting bond between two individuals. However, it’s important to recognize that this decision may also carry emotional weight and bring up various feelings for those involved.
Symbolic Significance
For many families, combining ashes is a symbolic representation of eternal togetherness. It’s often chosen by couples who were deeply connected, and it signifies their desire to remain together even after death. For others, it may represent the desire to preserve the memory of a shared life — a union that transcends time. This act can provide comfort, knowing that the remains of the loved ones will continue to be physically close in a lasting and meaningful way.
Healing Through Memorialization
The act of combining ashes can also play an important role in the healing process. It can provide a way to honor the deceased, allowing families to feel a sense of closure while keeping their loved ones’ memory alive. For families who are grappling with loss, the symbolic act of merging remains can offer a sense of peace and connection during a difficult time.
Shared Grief and Closure
Combining ashes is not only about honoring the deceased but also about helping those left behind to navigate their grief. It can foster a sense of unity and shared experience among family members, offering a way for them to grieve together while celebrating the lives of their loved ones.
Whether you are honoring a beloved spouse, close friend, or family member, the act of combining ashes can be a beautiful and symbolic way to preserve the bond between two people. It allows families to keep their loved ones together in a shared resting place, which can bring comfort and a sense of peace during a time of immense loss.
The cremation process is designed to maintain the individual integrity of each person’s remains.
Ashes are never mixed during cremation
Ashes are never mixed during cremation to ensure that the remains returned to families belong only to the deceased person. However, after cremation, combining ashes from two people is possible and often meaningful for families wishing to memorialize their loved ones together. It’s important that special permission and clear instructions are provided to the funeral home or crematory, as this will help ensure the process is carried out with care and respect.
At BONAVENTURE, we understand the emotional weight that comes with the decision to combine ashes, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you choose to place the ashes in a joint urn, scatter them at a meaningful location, or divide them into smaller keepsakes, we offer a variety of services tailored to your specific wishes. Our compassionate team works with you to ensure that your loved ones' remains are handled with the utmost care and respect, and that their memory is honored in a way that is meaningful to you.
We are honored to help families navigate this deeply personal decision with specialized services tailored to their needs. Whether you are combining the ashes of two loved ones in a special urn or scattering their remains at a meaningful destination, we are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that the memory of your loved ones is celebrated in the most respectful and compassionate manner.
