Your Final Send-Off: 10 Fascinating (and Very Real) Ways People Choose to “Dispose” of Their Bodies
People will spend months picking a stroller and about 11 minutes thinking about their funeral—until someone dies and the family is suddenly Googling “how fast do we need to decide?”
The truth is: your body-disposition choice is a legal decision, a financial decision, and an emotional decision. And yes—people’s real wishes range from “simple burial next to Mom” to “please turn me into a reef” to “put a tiny piece of me in space.”
Let’s walk through the most common (and most interesting) options, with advantages, disadvantages, and what to put in writing so your family isn’t left guessing.
1) Traditional burial (casket + cemetery plot)
Real-world wish: “I want a place my kids can visit.”
How it works: Embalming is common but not always required. A cemetery plot, grave opening/closing, casket, and headstone add up quickly.
Pros
Familiar cultural/religious fit for many families
Creates a physical place to visit
Can feel “complete” for grieving
Cons
Often the most expensive route (plot + casket + services)
Requires ongoing cemetery decisions (marker, upkeep rules)
Not always the greenest choice (materials, land use)
Best for: Families who value tradition, ritual, and a permanent gathering spot.
2) “Green” or natural burial (biodegradable, minimal chemicals)
Real-world wish: “No embalming. No metal box. Let me return to the earth.”
How it works: Typically uses a shroud or biodegradable casket; aims to minimize environmental impact.
Pros
Lower environmental footprint than conventional burial
Often less expensive than full traditional burial
Many families find it meaningful and peaceful
Cons
Fewer cemetery options depending on area
Some cemeteries have rules (vaults, liners) that conflict with true “green”
Still requires cemetery logistics and timing
Best for: People with eco values who still want burial.
3) Cremation (fire cremation)
Real-world wish: “Keep it simple. Scatter me at the beach (or keep me on the mantel… for a while).”
How it works: The body is cremated; the remains are returned to family as “cremated remains/ashes.”
Pros
Usually less expensive than burial
Flexible: keep ashes, scatter, place in columbarium, divide among family
Easier logistics for travel or out-of-state family
Cons
Families can get stuck: “What do we do with the ashes?” can become a multi-year stalemate
Some religions discourage it
Scattering has rules (especially in public places)
Best for: People who want simplicity and flexibility.
A real-world “don’t do this” story: scattering ashes at Disneyland
Every so often, grieving families try to secretly scatter a loved one’s ashes at Disneyland (Anaheim) or Disney World (Orlando)—often on iconic rides or in landscaped areas—because the park was meaningful to the person who died. The Wall Street Journal reported in 2018 that this happens often enough that custodial teams have a term for the situation: a “HEPA cleanup,” referring to the high-efficiency vacuum used to remove the fine particles.
Other outlets that summarized the same reporting describe the practical reality: when suspected ashes are discovered, the area or ride can be shut down while staff cleans it up—meaning the “final resting place” isn’t preserved as intended; it’s treated like a contamination issue to be removed.
4) Water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis / “aquamation”)
Real-world wish: “Cremation… but greener.”
How it works: Uses water, temperature, and alkaline solution to reduce the body; remaining bone material is processed similarly to cremated remains. It’s legal in California under a regulated framework. (American Mortuary Coolers & Equipments)
Pros
Often marketed as lower-carbon than flame cremation
Still results in remains families can keep/scatter
Appeals to eco-minded families who prefer cremation
Cons
Not available everywhere (provider availability varies)
Some people feel weird about the “process” (even if they like the result)
Pricing can vary depending on providers
Best for: Eco-forward families who still want “ashes” at the end.
5) Human composting (natural organic reduction)
Real-world wish: “Make me soil. Plant something beautiful.”
California note: California passed legislation allowing natural organic reduction, but reports widely describe implementation targeting 2027. (ABC10) (So as of today—Feb 27, 2026—this is generally a “coming soon” option in CA, depending on the rulemaking and providers.)
Pros
Very eco-forward
Produces soil that can be returned/used (depending on the program)
Many find it deeply meaningful and nature-connected
Cons
Not universally available yet (especially in CA until implementation)
Some families/religions may object
Requires choosing a provider/program with clear policies
Best for: People who love the “circle of life” idea and want a green legacy.
6) Donate your body to science (medical education/research)
Real-world wish: “Let students learn from me. Use whatever helps.”
How it works: You enroll with a program; after death, the program must be contacted quickly. (For example, UC Davis notes notification within 24 hours.) (UC Davis Health) Many California universities run donation programs. (UC Office of the President)
Pros
Can be low-cost (sometimes no-cost) for the family, depending on the program
Tangible public good: training doctors, advancing research
Some programs return cremated remains afterward (varies)
Cons
Programs can decline donations due to certain conditions, timing, or logistics
Families must follow instructions precisely and act quickly
Not always compatible with certain funeral timelines
Best for: Practical altruists—and families comfortable with less “traditional” ritual timing.
7) “Become a tree” memorials (ashes + tree planting / memorial forests)
Real-world wish: “Plant me under an oak and let the grandkids picnic there.”
How it works: Usually cremation first, then ashes are used (in various ways) with a tree memorial program or planted in a memorial setting. This is often more symbolic than biological—ashes aren’t “fertilizer” in the way people assume.
Pros
Beautiful living memorial (especially for nature lovers)
Gives family a place that feels uplifting (a tree, not a headstone)
Can fit well with scattering/eco values
Cons
Requires an organization or compliant place to plant
If the tree dies or land changes ownership, families can be devastated
“I want to be a tree” needs specifics: where, who’s responsible, what if it can’t happen?
Best for: People who want a living, non-cemetery legacy.
8) Turn ashes into a diamond (yes, really)
Real-world wish: “Put me on a ring. I’ll still show up to family dinners.”
How it works: A portion of ashes (or hair) is used to create a lab-grown memorial diamond. Pricing varies widely; one provider notes ranges in the thousands to tens of thousands depending on size/color. (Eterneva)
Pros
Unique, portable memorial
Can be deeply meaningful for a spouse/partner
Avoids the “urn debate”
Cons
Cost can be significant
Family conflict potential: “Who gets the diamond?”
Requires planning: how much ash, who orders it, and who pays
Best for: Families who want a tangible keepsake—and are clear about ownership.
9) Reef memorials (ashes cast into ocean reef structures)
Real-world wish: “Let me help marine life and give my family GPS coordinates to visit.”
How it works: After cremation, ashes are incorporated into reef memorial structures placed in the ocean. (Eternal Reefs)
Pros
Beautiful symbolic + environmental angle
A “place” exists, but it’s ocean-based and meaningful
Some programs provide location info for visits
Cons
Not cheap, and travel may be required for ceremonies
Families must be comfortable with ocean placement
Requires a reputable provider with clear documentation
Best for: Ocean lovers, surfers, divers, and families who hate the idea of a cemetery.
10) Space memorials (a symbolic portion sent into space)
Real-world wish: “Shoot me into the cosmos. I’m not done traveling.”
How it works: A company launches a small symbolic portion of cremated remains or DNA on a memorial spaceflight. One provider lists services starting in the five figures for certain missions. (celestis.com) (And yes—there have been real-world mission mishaps, because… rockets.) (Houston Chronicle)
Pros
Unforgettable tribute for space lovers
Highly personal and story-worthy
Keeps the “main remains” available for family, since only a portion is used
Cons
Expensive
Risk of launch failure (it happens)
Not for families who want certainty and tradition
Best for: The “Carl Sagan poster in the garage” crowd.
The estate-planning part people skip (and families regret)
Here’s the uncomfortable reality: your loved ones may not have legal authority to follow your wishes unless you put it in the right place.
In California, the right to control disposition of remains follows a legal priority list, unless you’ve made a valid written direction. (LegInfo) Even worse—if equal-priority people disagree, it can trigger delays and court involvement. (LegInfo)
A simple “I told my kids” is not enough.
What helps most:
Write your wishes down (and be specific: burial where, cremation + scatter where, etc.)
Name the person in charge of carrying it out (and make sure they’re willing)
Fund it (pre-need plan, set-aside funds, or clear instructions)
A practical “Make it easy on my family” checklist
If you do only five things:
Pick your top choice and a backup choice
Put it in writing (and store it where your family can find it)
Tell your decision-maker and your “most likely to argue” relative
Write down any provider preferences (cemetery, crematory, donation program)
Add a short note: “If my first choice isn’t available, do X.”
If you want, tell me your state (or if you want this written for California specifically) and your preferred tone (funny vs. more formal), and I’ll rewrite this as a ready-to-post blog with an SEO title, meta description, and a short “call us for help” closing tailored to your firm.
Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, legal advice. Reading this article does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and DeCosimo Law.