Co-op funeral care is now offering customers the option to have their ashes scattered across the UK with a drone.
Newly available nationwide, the service will allow families to scatter ashes of deceased love ones at memorable locations both at land and sea, ranging from notable beauty spots to high profile sports grounds. The feature is part of Co-op’s new range of commemoration options for loved one’s ashes.
The service can be arranged through one of Co-op's 800 UK funeral homes and is available to customers with funerals planned with Co-op and also to families who have organised funerals elsewhere, reports Wales Online.
According to experts, more people are choosing cremation over burial, with 80 per cent opting for the latter. In addition, 35 per cent of families who chose cremation for their loved are choosing to scatter ashes over a place of importance.
Named Ariel Ashes, the service enables families to scatter ashes in hard to reach spots such as out a sea, over rivers or at sports grounds and nature landscapes..
Families are supported to find a suitable space to scatter their loved one’s ashes with assurance that all the necessary permissions and conditions are in place to create a unique and special farewell.
Customers will have the option to attend the scattering with friends and family to make the occasion memorable. Additionally, they can also choose the option to record the service.
Gill Stewart, MD of Co-op Funeralcare said: “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.
“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.”
Experienced drone operator and former RAF pilot, Chris Mace said: “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.
“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.”
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