People across the UK can now have their ashes scattered by drone as Co-op Funeralcare is offering customers the service. The new service, now available nationwide, will enable families to scatter ashes in special, memorable locations over land and sea, including at favourite beauty spots and sports grounds.
The service, which can be arranged though Co-op’s 800 funeral homes, is available to both customers who have arranged the funeral with Co-op, as well as those who have had the funeral elsewhere. With 80% of families now opting for cremation rather than burial, and 35% of people who chose cremation for their loved one now opting to scatter ashes in a location of significance, the launch is part of Co-op’s new range of commemoration options for loved one’s ashes.
The service enables families to scatter ashes in harder to access locations such as out a sea, over rivers or at sports grounds and beauty spots. 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.
Families 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.”
