What a Way to Go!

By Allison Walker

According to a report from the American Association of Retired Persons, cookie-cutter funerals are out. Offbeat farewells seem to be the “in” thing to do.

An author who explored more than a dozen unique farewells, said boomers are changing things up by making funeral arrangements a reflection of their lives.

A company called Eternal Reefs mixes ashes into an environmentally-safe, ball-shaped concrete memorial reef. It is put in the ocean, creating a new marine habitat.

Not a fan of water?

Space Services Inc. can launch cremated remains into a sub-orbital flight or an Earth orbit. One astronomer even arranged for a lunar burial.

If you want to leave with a bang, Angels Flight Inc. packs your ashes into fireworks. You get to scatter over land or sea — your choice.

If a colorful balloon is your thing, a send-off through the Eternal Ascent Society might interest you.

The owner reportedly says she has an order from a man passionate about skeet shooting.

His wish is to have the company release a biodegradable helium balloon with his ashes and then have all his buddies shoot at the balloon until it bursts and scatters his ashes.

The National Funeral Directors Association says the number of people choosing to pre-plan their own funeral has gone up dramatically because they want more control over how people remember them. <<