Our Final Destination May Lie in Space

With the advent of having your ashes rocketed into space, placed on the moon (or another planet of your choice), or sent into the center of a special star may resolve one issue on Earth. These special graveyards in outer space would save room for the living. It would also be another reason for people to go outside and watch the skies at night as they attempt to locate the planet or star their loved ones have been sent to.

You will be able to select a star such as the Sun or to Polaris. Possibly the selection of a special planet, such as Saturn or Pluto, will add a special flair to the occasion. If your loved one enjoyed fishing or hunting, perhaps sending him to the constellations named Pisces (fishes) or Sagittarius (archer) would be a great choice. If they lived by their astrology sign, sending them to one of the twelve constellations signifying their birth would be awesome. Personally, I will be headed to Leo. Wishing on a star may become more popular than it is today.

Weekly, monthly, and yearly flights to deliver up to 5000 capsules filled with cremated remains of our loved ones would allow every cemetery on this planet to be emptied out and the land reclaimed for homes and businesses. With the average cost of a funeral estimated up to $10 thousand dollars or more at today's prices (and they are sure to go up), the prices being offered now to blast off your loved one are comparable at $700.00 to $9,995 for a 1 gram capsule to be launched. I am sure, with increased usage of this service, the price will come down.

Excess cremains could be further reduced into pure ash and plowed back into the ground, thus giving a new meaning to the adage "ashes to ashes, dust to dust". Other options may include having the cremains pressed into diamonds or formed into a keepsake such as an ornate bowl, flower vase, or picture frame. Cremain jewelry is already a popular option with having the ashes enclosed in handmade molten glass beads and used as earrings, bracelets, pendants, small vessels, and glass lamps. Of course, placing cremains into a traditional urn with a plaque attached with the dearly departed's information is still a very acceptable option and used most often at this time.

Instead of having cemeteries filled with granite and marble monuments, memorial buildings in each state could offer walls where the name of the deceased, their date of birth and death, date of interment, the date of blastoff, and the name and flight number of the space rocket used could all be engraved on a small plaque for all to see. Memorial services would still be held for the family members left behind and perhaps combined with a family reunion or picnic.

At some point in the future, excursions may be made available where family members will be able to physically go pay their respects to the loved ones who are buried somewhere out in the universe. These flights will be dignified, but not necessarily somber, with food, drinks, and a memorial service upon arrival at the selected designation. Unfortunately, you will probably not be allowed to leave a wreath or a bouquet of flowers. Oh, and don't open the door of your spaceship without prior authorization. That first breathe may leave you behind.

Sources:

US space-funeral company plans to launch lunar cemetery