Seriously, Space Burials?

A space burial isn't exactly what it sounds like, considering that no actual burying is involved. Rather, cremated remains are essentially shot into space. It is not technically a disposition method, as it requires the bodies to be ash, either from traditional cremation or alkaline hydrolysis. A space burial or lunar burial is closer to the spreading of a person's ashes in a place they love. The capsule sent has limited space, and so the amount of remains able to be sent is limited as well to a "memorial" amount.

There are multiple companies dedicated to space burials, such as Elysium Space and Celestis. Space burial costs vary depending on the type of "burial" purchased, from a temporary orbit around the earth to being launched into deep space. The flights are scheduled to take place at least yearly, with reservations being accepted until a few months before the planned launch date. Celestis offers a service for loved ones to track the progress of the spacecrafts into space. They offer four different packages, each varying in price and service. The first of these is "Earth Rise", which sends capsules into space before returning them to earth, allowing the ashes a brief time in zero gravity. Prices begin at $2,495. The second service is "Earth Orbit", priced at $4,995, which sends ashes to orbit the earth until the time that they enter the atmosphere and burn up as a shooting star. For $12,500, there is "Luna", which allows for ashes to be sent to the moon. The final service Celestis offers is "Voyager", also priced at $12,500. Ashes are sent on a permanent journey into the unknown, past the moon and into deep space. The website also records names and photos of the members of each flight with unique logos per journey, as well as a place for loved ones to leave a quote.

Elysium Space launches alongside larger missions to space, and has less frequent spaces available. They offer two services, the "Shooting Star Memorial" and the "Lunar Memorial", for $2,490 and $9,950 respectively. The "Shooting Star Memorial" is similar to Celestis' "Earth Orbit" service, launching ashes into orbit before allowing them to burn out in the atmosphere as a shooting star. The "Lunar Memorial" is similar to Celestis' "Luna" service, which sends ashes to the surface of the moon.

Many famous people choose space burial for their ashes, from Star Trek actor James Doohan, known for his role as Scotty, to actual astronaut L. Jordan Cooper, Jr. Space burials are popular for those who have spent their lives working for NASA and similar organizations as well, sending their ashes to the place they studied in life.

Although ashes are sent into space, which takes the energy of launching a spacecraft, both Celestis and Elysium Space hitch rides with trips previously planned rather than sending a vessel solely for ashes. This limits the environmental impact of space burials by latching onto fuel that was already going to be burned rather than increasing the number of spacecraft missions. Since remains must already be in ash form to be sent to space, it is up to the family to choose whether or not they want traditional cremation or the more environmentally alkaline hydrolysis.

Until death do us part,

Alyssa

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Sources & Further Reading

Celestis

Elysium Space