Ashes
It’s not always easy to decide on a final resting place for cremated remains. We know from experience that if you’re unsure, you’re best to take your time and make a decision that you and your family are all happy with.
We also know, however, that if you put it off for too long, it becomes increasingly difficult to do.
Try to think of somewhere that you’ll be happy to visit in the future, and where you’ll have peace to think your own thoughts.
After six months, we’ll get in touch with you to help you decide what you would like to do. We can keep the remains at our funeral homes until decided but after a year we expect a decision to be made.
Here Are Some Ideas
Creating Lasting Tributes with Ashes
There are various ways to keep your loved ones ashes. We receive the ashes back from the crematorium in a green bio-degradable box. Nowadays there is a large range of options for keeping ashes (either all of your loved ones ashes or a small token), some of which are displayed in our funeral homes and keepsakes brochure.
For example; bio urns, large urns, small keepsake urns, hand-blown glass urns, memorial beads, memorial necklaces, standard scatter tubes, bespoke scatter tubes, bespoke ashes caskets, ash glass design jewellery (rings, pendants, kilt pins, cufflinks, earrings, dog tags, glass sculptures, touch stones, canvas art, sun catchers, paperweights).
Scatter The Ashes In The Gardens Of Remembrance
You can have the ashes scattered in the Gardens of Remembrance at the crematorium in Kirkcaldy or Dunfermline. You and your family can be there while this is done by either one of our team or by the crematorium staff. If you wish to have a few words said by us or the clergy please let us know. Alternatively, you might prefer not to be there. It’s your decision.
Memorial and Book of Remembrance
About two to three weeks after the funeral, the crematorium will send you some information about the types of memorial you can buy for cremated remains. They will also tell you about their Book of Remembrance.
Scatter The Ashes In A Special Place
Some people choose to scatter the ashes in a place that was special to the deceased – for example, in the sea, on a garden, at the top of a hill, on a favourite walk or over a football ground. Some people plant them underneath a bush or a tree.
Please talk to us if you have any ideas that you’re not sure about. Permission may have to be given if private ground.
Bury the Ashes in a Cemetery
You can put the ashes in a special oak casket and bury it in an existing family lair, or in a newly purchased one. We can help you to do this. Some people hold a small service with family, friends and sometimes clergy present.
Taking the Ashes Abroad
There is no problem with taking the ashes abroad (either all of the ashes or a small token). When the ashes are back from the crematorium there is a certificate inside the box which you will show to customs at the airport along with a written letter which we will give you.