Ashes to Ashes - A strange question!
Jun 21st, 2012, 08:11 PM
#1
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Ashes to Ashes - A strange question!
Hi All
I have posted several times on Fodors and always get really great and helpful responses from the greatest travelers in the world. But I think this question may be my weirdest.
While hopefully i am no where near needing your advice, I do want time to think about it.
The question is quite simple: What is involved in spreading ones ashes in a foreign country? Since Switzerland is by far my favorite country of all those I have ever visited, I want my ashes taken to the top of the Jungfraujoch and released over the most beautiful mountains in the world. The three times I have visited it, the wind would carry them forever! Is this an asinine idea? Or do folks really do stuff like this. Some posters have reported spreading ashes in various lakes abroad. Do any of you have any experience/knowledge of doing this?
As I said, I am far off (I hope) of needing the information - but it will give me something to think about - and maybe put in my will. As always, thanks for your help.
Shrink
I have posted several times on Fodors and always get really great and helpful responses from the greatest travelers in the world. But I think this question may be my weirdest.
While hopefully i am no where near needing your advice, I do want time to think about it.
The question is quite simple: What is involved in spreading ones ashes in a foreign country? Since Switzerland is by far my favorite country of all those I have ever visited, I want my ashes taken to the top of the Jungfraujoch and released over the most beautiful mountains in the world. The three times I have visited it, the wind would carry them forever! Is this an asinine idea? Or do folks really do stuff like this. Some posters have reported spreading ashes in various lakes abroad. Do any of you have any experience/knowledge of doing this?
As I said, I am far off (I hope) of needing the information - but it will give me something to think about - and maybe put in my will. As always, thanks for your help.
Shrink
Jun 21st, 2012, 08:24 PM
#2
"<i>Is this an asinine idea? </i>"
Not asinine at all. I just returned from the UK where I scattered a part of my Mom's and Dad's ashes in the Lake of Mentieth. For me there was no red-tape at all. The folks at the Lake could not have been more helpful/understanding.
I don't know what,if any, special requirements there are in Switzerland --but you can probably find out by a simple google search.
TSA addresses taking human remains on the plane on their website.
Not asinine at all. I just returned from the UK where I scattered a part of my Mom's and Dad's ashes in the Lake of Mentieth. For me there was no red-tape at all. The folks at the Lake could not have been more helpful/understanding.
I don't know what,if any, special requirements there are in Switzerland --but you can probably find out by a simple google search.
TSA addresses taking human remains on the plane on their website.
Jun 21st, 2012, 08:27 PM
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My brother-in-law and I took my sister's ashes to Greece. This was a long time ago, before high security at airports, but it really wasn't a problem. I remember calling the Greek consulate or something like that, to kind of clear it, but it was fine.
We just packed 'em and took 'em.
We just packed 'em and took 'em.
Jun 21st, 2012, 09:19 PM
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My sister and I took some of my mother's ashes (in a very small container) to Capri.
We found a very secluded beach & scattered the ashes in the water. This was one of my
mothers favorite places. We also picked up some small rocks to bring home to the grand
children in her memory. Very special !!
We found a very secluded beach & scattered the ashes in the water. This was one of my
mothers favorite places. We also picked up some small rocks to bring home to the grand
children in her memory. Very special !!
Jun 22nd, 2012, 03:41 AM
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I understand that there is a significant problem at places like the summit of Snowdon because so much ash is scattered there. I believe it makes the ground sterile. You may find there is some prohibition about doing it on mountain tops in Switzerland, while doing it discreetly at a less popular location would not be an issue.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 04:15 AM
#8
janisj, just out of interest it is illegal to scatter ashes on public land in the UK. Don't worry everyone does it and no one worries about it. I had to carry out a similar action in the UK a few years ago, an apart from explaining to my sister that we were going to just ignore the law and throw the ashes "with the wind".... it all went well.
Hence Switzerland may have a similar issue... remember "with the wind" especially if it's raining.
Hence Switzerland may have a similar issue... remember "with the wind" especially if it's raining.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 07:26 AM
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I think it is a great idea, but how are you going to get the ashes onto the ground?
Could someone ride the train to Jungfraujoch station and dump 'em out the window when no one is looking? Do the windows even open? Is there a terrace?
You could hire a mountaineer to take them the to the top of the Jungfraujoch but then why not the summit of the Eiger or the Jungfrau itself.
I am actually thinking about the same thing at Mt Washington in New Hampshire, you can drive or take the Cog Railway to the top.
Could someone ride the train to Jungfraujoch station and dump 'em out the window when no one is looking? Do the windows even open? Is there a terrace?
You could hire a mountaineer to take them the to the top of the Jungfraujoch but then why not the summit of the Eiger or the Jungfrau itself.
I am actually thinking about the same thing at Mt Washington in New Hampshire, you can drive or take the Cog Railway to the top.
Jun 22nd, 2012, 10:15 AM
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Hi All
Thanks for your interest and comments. Ira - you may be on to something. The last time I was up there, one could take a train to the top. There was a restaurant among other things there. Well not at the very top - but close enough. The wind was very high that day and I remember thinking that a small amount of ashes would be spread all over that part of Switzerland.
With the possible exception of TSA, it might be better to follow the old adage: Its better to go ahead and do it and say you are sorry - than ask for permission.
Again, thanks for your comments.
Shrink
Thanks for your interest and comments. Ira - you may be on to something. The last time I was up there, one could take a train to the top. There was a restaurant among other things there. Well not at the very top - but close enough. The wind was very high that day and I remember thinking that a small amount of ashes would be spread all over that part of Switzerland.
With the possible exception of TSA, it might be better to follow the old adage: Its better to go ahead and do it and say you are sorry - than ask for permission.
Again, thanks for your comments.
Shrink
