What Do I Do With My Remains?

I know, I know.  What a morbid question! Actually, this is a question that is becoming more often thought about.  In the many years passed, the options were to be buried or cremated.

 Those are still options; however, there are many new options for you to choose from.

Donating your organs.  Some individuals are not comfortable with this.  We understand completely!  However, did you know that an estimated 8,000 people die per year waiting for an organ donation? What can be donated? Any organ that is considered in healthy and safe condition, as well as your eyes and even tissue!  If you are interested in signing up to be an organ donor, here is the web site: Organ Donor Sign Up

Donating your body to science. Choosing this option also means that your remains will be cremated once the program has completed its research.  There is a form you can fill out if you would like your family to have your remains returned to them upon completion of the program’s research. If this is something you would like to consider, read more from the University of Texas’ Willed Body Program.

Forensic Anthropology.  Yes, this is an option. Texas State University in San Marcos offers a program that “scatters” bodies across 26 acres so that students and researchers can observe the varying stages of decay on a body in warm temperatures.  Northern Michigan University offers a similar program, except they are observing the varying stages of decay on a body in cold temperatures.  If you are a fan of unsolved crime documentaries or perhaps enjoy reading books by Jeffery Deaver and feel this is something you would like to participate in, contact Texas State University or Northern Michigan University

Diamonds. Instead of purchasing a diamond that has been mined, there is an option for a lab grown diamond from your ashes. A newly developed process by https://eterneva.com/ allows the carbon from your ashes to be grown in a lab and created into diamonds.  One of the lab’s locations is in Austin, Texas!  Once the diamond is grown, it is cut and inspected to make sure it looks and grades in high quality.  There are even options to red, green or even black as the color of the diamond.

Trees.  As Austin is growing, the trees are being uprooted to expand highways.  In many of the contracts, TXDOT will have provisions that require trees to be replanted. There are companies such as The Living Urn that allows your ashes to be placed in a BioUrn made by the company and then placed in the ground. Another option is Green Cremation Texas which allows your ashes to help grow a new tree that remains indoors, such as the family living room.

Glass.  Art lovers, this option is for you.  A company located in Austin, Texas called Spirit Pieces uses your ashes (or even your beloved pet’s ashes) to create a beautiful piece of glass art. There are several designs to choose from and can take 6-8 weeks to create.  For more information, go to Spirit Pieces

Fireworks. This company takes celebrating your life to a new level.  Heavenly Star Fireworks incorporates your ashes into a firework display to give you a celebratory send-off like no other.  If you are a fireworks fanatic, this is the way to go Heavenly Star Fireworks

Tattoos. There are companies such as Engrave Ink that will send a kit for a small portion of your ashes.  The ashes then go through a process to be combined with ink then sent to you.  Prior to taking the specialized ink to a tattoo parlour, it would be best to call in advance to make sure the shop would be willing or has the right type of tattoo gun for this process.

Coral Reef.  Beach lovers, here is a way to help the declining reefs in the ocean.  Eternal Reefs create a ball with your ashes that is safe for the environment and marine life. If you want your remains to be a new home for sea life, visit Eternal Reefs.

As you can see, there are MANY possibilities that exist. While this is a serious matter, we have had some creative clients that have helped start this article by commenting that they want to be a tree, want to be remembered in some way with a favorite pet, or even want to be created into a yard decoration that is a banjo playing frog.

Whatever you would like to happen with your remains, we are here to support you and encourage your family to fulfill your wishes.

Texas allows individuals in the following order to have the ability to pick up your remains:

1.     Spouse

2.     Adult children

3.     Parents

4.     Siblings

Having a document titled Appointment for Disposition of Remains allows you to appoint someone with this responsibility.  It also allows for the situation of a person who is not married, does not have any children, parents have already passed away and does not have any siblings to make sure this scenario taken care of.  We also recommend letting any named individuals that you appoint know that they have been chosen for this responsibility as well as what your wishes are based on the possibilities listed above. The simpler approach would be to provide these individuals with a copy of the document.

As part of your estate plan, Hardie Alcozer PLLC prepares an Appointment for Disposition of Remains because we feel this is an important matter than many law firms overlook and we have your best interest in mind and at heart.