Derby funeral directors’ 'unique' service scatters ashes of loved ones in space

A funeral director based in Derby has partnered with a space flight service that scatters cremated ashes thousands of feet from space.

A.W. Lymn in Derby say they are proud to offer the ‘unique and thoughtful service’ that will see ashes flown up and released in an Aura Flights vessel 100,000 feet above Earth.

Forward planning and making provisions for death is no longer considered a taboo subject.

There has been a rise in Death Cafés, where people discuss death over tea and cake, and Swedish Death Cleaning where people declutter to pave the way for an easier transition.

The service has started to increase in popularity with those looking for an alternative to a traditional funeral, as people are opening up to futuristic ideas about what will happen to them when they die.

The service is an option for those looking for a memorable send-off for either themselves or a loved one.

Read more: Love Derby

It is an alternative to a traditional funeral that A.W. Lymn provides. 

The funeral directors say a Legal & General survey in November 2023 showed a majority of people were open to futuristic methods of ashes dispersal, and scattering them in space is just one of many ways to embrace this.

A.W. Lymn’s Managing Director Matthew Lymn Rose said: “We are proud to partner with Aura to provide this wholly unique and thoughtful service to our customers. 

“We put the wishes of our clients first and aim to provide them with the goodbye they desire, whatever that may be. 

“As more people begin to consider alternative methods to a traditional burial, it’s important that we continue to evolve our offering in line with the needs of those who trust us to help plan what will happen to them when they die.

“With Aura, we can be sure that our customers are referred to a caring and professional service that will support them through the entire process.” 

A.W. Lymn has been working in conjunction with Aura Flights since 2017.

They say they have referred six people to the service so far, which is a rare but increasingly enquired-about option offered by the East Midlands family-run funeral company. 

Those planning a funeral will often first come to A.W. Lymn and then be referred to Aura Flights through the funeral directors. 

Aura Flights offers two packages for ash scattering, including the space memorial, priced at £2,950, which includes a personalised memorial video.

In this package, each flight is dedicated to a single passenger, meaning all the ashes can be scattered if requested. 

Alternatively, a Voyager Launch is available for £495, which takes a portion of ashes into space on a shared monthly flight, before reuniting them with loved ones. 

Samantha Richardson, General Manager at Aura, added: "A.W. Lymn are leading the drive for innovation in the funeral industry. 

“It's a pleasure to work with them to bring this incredible memorial service to the families under their care."

A.W. Lymn, a fifth-generation family business, has cared for the bereaved across the East Midlands for more than a century. 

The funeral service has now expanded to 27 homes across both Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.