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Ashes to ashes

(54 Posts)
Peardrop50 Mon 12-Feb-18 11:05:13

How do you part with a loved ones ashes? Is it healthy to cling on to them indefinitely?
The reason I ask is that my sister still carries the ashes of her oh after 8 years. When she visits me she plonks the urn on my sideboard while we eat, it sits on the coffee table while we watch tv and goodness only knows where it is in the bedroom at night. Am I being insensitive to think this is OTT?

OldMeg Tue 13-Feb-18 11:37:26

I agree with the OP that I would find it a bit unnerving to have ashes brought to my house like that, but I suppose we have to give and take and accept that some people have to deal with loss in a way we don’t understand.

grandtanteJE65 Tue 13-Feb-18 15:51:48

Reading this I am glad the law in Denmark does not allow human ashes to be kept in the home. You either place them in a columbarium or lower them into a plot for urns in the cemetery, or apply to spread them at sea. Spreading them on land is illegal, here.

If she were my sister, I would ask her not to bring the urn with her when visiting. If you tell her it saddens you then you are in my opinion respecting both her feelings and your deceased BIL and are entitled to expect your sister to respect your feelings.

storynanny Tue 13-Feb-18 18:44:01

Oh it is not a criticism at all, I want to be scattered on our local beach.
My sister and I were shocked that after having a funeral at my parents local church, followed by cremation, the church then wanted more money and another church service to put them in the graveyard! That is why they are at present in a garden pot under a nice flowering shrub. My only concern is that a fox or badger might get at them.