In what is believed to be a world first, Co-op Funeralcare are about to start offering a new airborne ash scattering service, using drones to takes the remains of people’s loved ones up into the sky above a special spot (on land or sea) before releasing them to whatever fate the four winds have in store for them.
The best drones are so now sophisticated that they have been employed to do everything from finding lost dogs to taking footage of sunrises on the roof of the world, but using them to transport and scatter ashes over rivers, coastlines and remote peaks is an entirely new development.
The Co-op, which is the country’s biggest funeral provider, with 800 undertaker facilities around the country, organises the ‘Aerial Ashes’ service from a base in Yorkshire, but it’s going to be available all around Britain.
According to the company’s research, over a third of families who have cremated a loved one in the past five years then chose to scatter the ashes somewhere significant, with beauty spots featuring prominently on the list, but often such places are tricky to access. Customised drones can help with that, carrying a box of ashes high into the sky over the chosen area, before releasing the remains in a dramatic and poignant final dedication to the person who has passed.
“Our colleagues are dedicated to supporting the bereaved families we serve long after the funeral and the sky really is the limit now in terms of the choices that are available,“ said Gill Stewart, MD of Co-op Funeralcare
“Cremation has continued to grow at pace as a choice for funerals. We’re always looking at new and innovative ways to help families honour their loved one’s not just through the funeral service, but also through uniquely personal commemorative options for their ashes.”
On of the companies experienced drone operators, a former RAF pilot, Chris Mace added: “Drones are increasingly being viewed a means of providing essential services in our society, with investment in creating drone superhighways being looked at as this technology use grows.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
“The use of drones to provide new options to scatter ashes is an emerging and unique way that this technology can offer a truly memorable service. Ensuring that the right permissions are sought is essential and weather conditions must be favourable, but the use of a drone alleviates much of the worry when families want to scatter ashes in otherwise hard to reach locations.”
Author of Caving, Canyoning, Coasteering…, a recently released book about all kinds of outdoor adventures around Britain, Pat Kinsella has been writing about outdoor pursuits and adventure sports for two decades. In pursuit of stories he’s canoed Canada’s Yukon River, climbed Mont Blanc and Kilimanjaro, skied and mountain biked across the Norwegian Alps, run ultras across the roof of Mauritius and through the hills of the Himalayas, and set short-lived speed records for trail-running Australia’s highest peaks and New Zealand’s nine Great Walks. A former editor of several Australian magazines he’s a longtime contributor to publications including Sidetracked, Outdoor, National Geographic Traveller, Trail Running, The Great Outdoors, Outdoor Fitness and Adventure Travel, and a regular writer for Lonely Planet (for whom he compiled, edited and co-wrote the Atlas of Adventure, a guide to outdoor pursuits around the globe). He’s authored guides to exploring the coastline and countryside of Devon and Dorset, and recently wrote a book about pub walks. Follow Pat's adventures on Strava and instagram.
-
Can't spend a million on new speakers? Magico's new audiophile option is a lot more affordable
Magico's new S2 speakers promise million-pound sound without costing a million pounds
By Carrie Marshall Published
-
Ultenic launches Lite version of its T10 robot vacuum – and it might be better than the original
Ultenic’s T10 Lite has an all-new thin design to clean hard-to-reach areas
By Bethan Girdler-Maslen Published
-
DJI’s best drone for beginner pilots suddenly drops to its lowest-ever price
The Mini 4K is less than $250 — don't let this amazing deal slip away!
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
Quick! This 5-star DJI drone has $200 knocked off in Walmart’s Black Friday sale
The AIR 2S Aerial is the ultimate camera drone
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
This DJI drone bundle has a (very) pretty pricetag in early Prime Day deal
It's the cheapest it's ever been!
By Bryony Firth-Bernard Published
-
DJI Avata 2 review: Next-level FPV flying for beginners
Strap on your goggles and prepare for one of the most immersive experiences since Meta Quest
By Derek Adams Published
-
Can a drone keep up with an F1 car? This one can
Custom-built drone built by the Dutch Drone Gods can reach speeds up to 350 km/h
By Matt Kollat Published
-
DJI Mini 4 Pro vs DJI Mini 3 Pro: which is the best sub-250g drone?
We’re hugely impressed with both of these sterling flyers, but one wins the dogfight and here’s why…
By Derek Adams Last updated
-
DJI Mini 4 Pro review: world’s best-value high-end consumer drone
A top pro-style mini consumer drone for taking hi-res aerial imagery
By Derek Adams Published
-
It's not long till DJI drones will deliver all your parcels
DJI FlyCart 30 is here to usher in a new era of aerial delivery
By Matt Kollat Published