Do you fancy doing something different after you die?
There are a huge range of options, whether you want to skydive but may never summon the courage to, love being at sea or want a more eco-friendly way to go.
Alternative burials and cremations
I'm going to kick off this list with some of the more eco-friendly and/or outlandish alternatives. At the moment they're more widely available in other parts of the world, but they're starting to get attention in the UK. You never know, they could be options in the future!
Resomation (bio-cremation)
Resomation uses a process called alkaline hydrolysis which reduces the body to ash by putting it in high pressure water (up to 180c) with a strong alkali. It's completely flameless, and the process itself is similar to what happens to the body when it is shallow buried.
Resomation is most popular in the USA and costs around $2,395, which is about £1,533.
Cryomation
Also known as Incinerator Replacement Technology, cryomation and biomation combine liquid nitrogen and freeze drying. When the remains are returned to the bereaved, it's recommended that they're put in a large plant pot to neutralise the soil.
It costs around about the same as a standard cremation.
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Promession
Promession is a bit different in that it freeze-dries remains to -18c before reducing them to a white powder. The remains are then put in a biodegradable casket and placed in a shallow grave.
A memorial tree or bush can also be put on the site. The body will decompose within a year and nourish the memorial. There's also the option to choose a more eco-friendly coffin such as cardboard, leaf tree or bamboo.
It's not in the mainstream yet, but there is hope that it would be around the same price as standard cremation as well.
Cryonic preservation
Fancy being revived in the future like Fry from Futurama? Try cryonic presevation.
When the person is declared legally dead, a dispatches team from the cryonic preservation company is sent out to try to keep the person’s blood moving around their body.
Their body will be frozen in a container of liquid nitrogen at -196 centigrade until 'technology advances enough to bring them back to life'.
Costs vary depending on whether you just want your head or entire body frozen. Preserving your head would cost £52,000 and a whole body could cost up to £130,000. You would need to pay upfront.
There are storage facilities in the US and Russia so if you want to be one of the tens of people involved in this method of preservation, you'll have to factor in travel costs. Though that'd probably be the least of your worries.
Burial at sea
You could either do this yourself or with the help of a third party. Funeral directors can organise a burial at sea, though it could cost upwards of £2,000 including additional services like boat hire. In any case, you'll need a licence before you go ahead. These cost £175.
If you live in England or Wales, you can get a licence approved for Newhaven in West Sussex, the Needles Spoil Ground in the Isle of Wight or off-Tynemouth in North Tyneside. The local Fisheries District Inspector might be able to grant a licence for one of these locations if you'd prefer.
There are some conditions that must be met to safely bury the body at sea, which are detailed on the Gov.uk webpage.
If you just want to scatter some ashes post-cremation, you won't need a licence.
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Plastination (for science exhibits)
Brainchild of Gunther Von Hagens, Body Worlds exhibitions have appeared across the world.
The process of plastination replaces bodily fluids and fat with fluids that harden after ‘vacuum-forced impregnation’. After being shaped, the figures are hardened with gas, heat or light. The subjects at Body Worlds show how humans and other animals move day-to-day as well as in more athletic postures.
If you're interested in donating, all of the costs of having your body shipped over are covered by the institute to help ensure that the decision to donate is of free will and not financially motivated.
Contact the Body Donation for Plastination team for more details.
Mummification
Summum, the world’s only modern mummification company, is based in Utah, USA.
The whole mummification process takes 90 days. First, the organs are removed and cleansed and then the body is hydrated for more than 70 days, submerged in a tank. After that it gets coated with lanolin and wax, followed by layers of cotton gauze and a fibre glass finish. Finally, the body is encased in a bronze or steel casket known as a mummiform.
A mummiform is stronger than a normal coffin or casket. You can be placed inside an ‘artistic’ mummiform or a stainless steel casket - the prices vary quite widely for different individuals and circumstances but it will run into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Mummification costs $67,000 (around £42,000) in the US.
Unusual ways to use the ashes
Tattoo
Cremation tattoos are offered by Gods of Ink, based in various locations around England. They don’t cost any more than normal tattoos - they’re priced by design and time taken to complete.
Diamonds
Alternatively, you could have your ashes put into a real diamond. As they’re created in a laboratory, they'll take a sizeable chunk out of your wallet. Prices start at £3,250 for a half-carat brilliant cut canary diamond at Phoenix Diamonds.
Stained glass
Forever Close Memorials do a selection of stained glass pieces ranging from £150 to £800. It also does silver jewellery, glass pendants and charm beads.
Scattering
Stratospheric scattering
Send your ashes up into space! With Stardust Ashes you can send a lightweight urn 10,000 feet in the air on an environmentally friendly balloon which will float around the stratosphere. The whole service costs £3,500.
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Fireworks
You can use your loved one's ashes in a firework display to honour their memory. There are a number of displays on offer, with prices starting at £900.
Skydive/hot air balloon scattering
Scatter the ashes while ticking a box on your to-do list by taking a 'final flight'. This way, ashes are scattered approximately 15 square miles into the air. Prices vary depending on what package you opt for. Head to Your Wings for more details.
For something a little more slow-paced, you can go on a hot air balloon ride for a few hundred pounds, depending on how many people are on the flight.
Trenching
Trenching is a lot simpler (and cheaper) than some of the other options. Head down to a sandy beach and choose a spot below the high tide line. Dig a groove in a certain shape or symbol, sprinkle the ashes in a trench and wait until the tide washes it away.
Sports clubs
Sports grounds are really popular places for ashes to be scattered, but because it can cause damage to the playing surfaces, some don’t allow ashes to be scattered there. Check with the sports club before you decide what to do.
Keeping it simple
If you’d prefer to keep it traditional, standard burial and cremation are still popular options.
According to the Money Advice Service, a standard funeral now costs £3,600 including £1,750 on burial fees. Cremations are quite a bit cheaper at £660. Find out more on How to pay for a funeral.
There’s also the option for a traditional burial that’s a bit more eco-friendly. The general principles of this kind of burial are that the body is not embalmed and put in a biodegradable coffin or a shroud and that a native tree is planted on, instead of on a traditional stone memorial. A GPS chip or a small stone or plaque are used to identify the grave. Go to The Natural Death Centre for more.
Or if you want to save some cash, size up a whole range of caskets at comparethecoffin.com.
Organ donation is free and could help to lengthen the life of someone else. All you have to do is get your name on the register.
For something even nobler, how about donating your whole body to your local medical school? Find a list at the Human Tissue Authority if you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. Up north, there are five Scottish universities accepting body donations. Like plastination, you need to give your written consent to the medical school and just for clarity, include it in your up-to-date will as well.
Find out more at Making a will.
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