Bringing ashes over

I think this is the correct forum...

My grandparents died a long while ago, and are now in boxes in Canada.  They wanted to be tossed into the English Channel... and I guess I have to do it.

So, how do you bring remains over?  Pop them into the suitcase and go?

Can I just toss them into the ocean?  Do I need a permit?  Is this legal?

Is that even legal. I'm not sure if scattered ashes into the English Channel is legal or not. I think here in california it's illegal in some places...like a certain length away from the shore. I'm not sure...I'm sure you'll get the answers you need soon enough.

Good luck

I cant see why it wouldnt be legal. Some footie fans here in the UK actually have their ashes scattered in their beloved teams football ground. Hubby and I just talked about this the other day. Ashes are constantly being scattered everywhere. I dont see how it could possibly be a problem.
Madeira why not call the airlines and speak to their baggage dept about their transport.
Good luck

So, how do you bring remains over?  Pop them into the suitcase and go?

It is legal. I brought my mother's ashes over about three years ago. At first, I wasn't sure if I could do it, so I contacted my airline and asked them about it. They said that if I had a letter from the crematorium stating what the contents of the box were, I wouldn't have a problem. If your grandparents died a long time ago, that might be an issue for you -- but if anyone remembers where they were cremated, the place may still have records. In any case, I had the box of ashes in my carry-on bag, along with the letter, and in the end, NOBODY asked to see the letter at all. I did have some odd explaining to do when my carry-on went through security and was X-rayed, but as soon as I told them what it was they all got very uncomfortable and sympathetic and deferential and rushed me through without any further questions! That was the nicest treatment I'd ever had from airport security! Of course, that was before the new stricter carry-on guidelines, so I'm not sure if things have changed now. Your best bet would be to contact the airline you'll be flying and ask them.

Transporting them is one thing, disposing of them is another.  You need to check with where ever you intend to dispose of them because sometimes there are sometimes laws and regulations against such disposals, or if you are trying to dispose of them on private property, you could get someone upset.

The English Channel is a bit tough to find anything definitive.  If you take a ferry, I am sure there are rules against just dumping stuff overboard in general.  If you go to the shore, I have no idea, again probablly best to check with the locals.  Don't forget (and I am not trying to be crude, but pratical) that most shores have a prevailing wind that goes onshore, not offshore, so if you were to try and spread the ashes at the shore, you might end up not getting them in the water, if you know what I mean.

Very good points!

We need to dig up their will, as they specified a location... which my mother remembers clearly as 'somewhere'.

I was thinking of hiring a small boat (to make sure they do get to sea) and having some kind of ceremony.  Not sure what would suit them, as one was  Catholic and one violently anti-religious. 

Don't worry about being crude... they died in 1979 and 1980.  Nana's ashes took a while to get to us, as she donated her body to anatomical study.  Then we forgot to pick them up at the funeral home until 1995.  They've been bunged in a cupboard ever since.  We have some doubts about whether we've even got the right people.

However, just finishing this business would be good.  It's like the dreams I still have about unfinished school assignments...

(Argh, then I'll have to change my will, too.  Current instructions are:  cremate and stick in cupboard with grandparents.)

Transporting them is one thing, disposing of them is another.  You need to check with where ever you intend to dispose of them because sometimes there are sometimes laws and regulations against such disposals, or if you are trying to dispose of them on private property, you could get someone upset.

We scattered my mother's off the edege of a cliff onto the beach. No problems. It never occurred to me to look into laws/regulations, but nobody said anything. I guess since it wasn't private property, it was OK.

why cremation madeira?
just want to hear some views on cremation.. i havn't thought about if i'd like to cremated or buried... very interesting



gl with puting your grandparents in their wishful grounds.

For me?  It's cheap.  Although I love graveyards, I don't want to buy anything fancy for myself or spend a lot on ceremony.  Don't want anyone else to do so, either... although I may not have too much choice if I die in Japan.  Even just getting cremated and put into the family tomb costs a bomb there.

I want any money left when I die to go to the living.  Sure, have a party, but most of my money is already tagged for educating various  relatives.

(knocking furiously on wood now... no plans to die anytime soon.)

If you had a family plot in a nice place, though... I can see the attraction.

why cremation madeira?
just want to hear some views on cremation.. i havn't thought about if i'd like to cremated or buried... very interesting

I have wanted to be cremated since I was a young child and first heard the song "the worms crawl in, the worms crawl out...."  Truth!

My family is very big on cremation. I'm from New Orleans and the idea of being buried and having my coffin float down the street after a flood is just gross!

^{well, you asked....}

ahh...
good views.

i've not thought much about it actually.