Pyrotechnic Send-off
 

This is hard to believe but according to the Boston Globe (10/23) there will be a pyrotechnic launch of a loved one's remains tonight. This comes from Associated Press. Yes, in Springfield, MO, where I lived til our Boston move. Greenlawn Funeral Homes is sending the cremated remains of someone skyward. The family of former director will watch the launch with a memorial program followed by a cookout and memorial celebration. This is labeled the Ultimate Goodbye! They think it might become popular in the summer and maybe exploding ashes over a lake. Just thought you should know about this as you make plans for your own Daddy.

Fireworks! That would be fun! :-)

Wouldn't you like to go up in smoke? But maybe better under six feet? Warning, your family may decide.

Easy enough to do yourself, really. If you simply get an electric match from a pyro dealer, a small tube cannon (2" ABS pipe with a mechanically fastened bottom plate) some black powder for the launch, and a large bottle of dry coffee creamer. Put cannon in secure place on ground facing up, install e-match into cannon, pour small amount of black powder over e-match, mix creamer with ashes and pour over powder. Powder atomizes the creamer upon lighting, and it is explosive once atomized. Flour will also work instead of creamer, but often has less explosive capacity due to its ability to take on moisture from the air. Usually a wonderful orange colored flame will appear. Can change that color with various powdered metals as well.

After posting that, I see that it could be considered a bit creepy or scary that someone knows that stuff, or would post it on a travel site. Sorry. Fairly wide-spread knowledge in my part of Missouri, but this site has worldwide reach.

Wait a minute...where am I going to get a small cannon. I have not seen them for sale anywhere. And do I need a city permit for this send off?