In an era where unconventional farewells are on the rise, the idea of blasting your loved one’s ashes into space may sound like something out of a sci-fi movie. However, thanks to innovative ventures like Bare and StardustME, this once-fantastical notion is becoming a reality for many Australians seeking a unique way to honor their departed.
Traditional memorials, while deeply meaningful for some, may not capture the essence of every individual’s life. Increasingly, people are exploring alternative options to celebrate the lives of their loved ones in ways that resonate with their personality and passions.
“We tend to find that some of the more out-of-the-box requests come from those pre-planning their own farewells,” explains Sam McConkey, co-founder of Bare. “Our favorite of late was an individual who had prepaid their own cremation and has actually arranged to have their ashes dropped into a volcano.”
Now, in collaboration with New Zealand startup StardustME, Australians have the opportunity to send a portion of their ashes into orbit aboard an Elon Musk SpaceX rocket hurtling through space at 20,000 kilometers per hour. This groundbreaking service, starting at $3000, offers a more accessible option compared to the hefty price tag associated with traditional space flights, which can cost upwards of half a million dollars.
“For some, a traditional funeral is perfect, but for others, they may want to be remembered in the stars,” says McConkey. “It’s important to us that we support both ends of this scale, as well as everything in between.”
McConkey and co-founder Cale Donovan, both with diverse backgrounds ranging from farming to finance, were motivated to disrupt the Australian funeral market after experiencing the challenges and costs associated with arranging funerals firsthand.
The StardustME venture allows families to encapsulate a small amount of ashes into a memorial token, which is then loaded onto the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Loved ones can track the orbit of their departed as it journeys through the cosmos for five years before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere as a poignant “shooting star.”
“Space memorials have been around for a while in the United States, but they’re typically very expensive,” notes Stu Potter, Managing Director of StardustME. “This option enables you to send a portion of ashes in a token for $3000 or an engraved token for $300.”
As society evolves and individuals seek more personalized ways to commemorate their loved ones, innovative services like those offered by Bare and StardustME are providing avenues for expression that extend beyond traditional norms. By embracing the final frontier, families can honor the memories of their departed in a manner as unique and extraordinary as the lives they lived.