‘I released my husband’s ashes into space’

Families have spoken about why they have scattered their loved ones’ ashes into space.

Claire Mercer’s husband Jason, from Rotherham, was killed in a crash on a smart motorway near Sheffield in 2019.

She arranged for his ashes to be scattered 100,000 ft (30,480m) above the Earth, inspired by his love of astronomy.

“The picture of Jason on the outside of the canister and the massive panoramic view that you get… it was literally breathtaking,” she said.

The service is offered by Aura Flights, which has partnered with Nottingham-based funeral directors A.W. Lymn.

Ashes are loaded into a capsule attached to a stratospheric balloon.

They are then released and can circumnavigate the globe several times before falling in rain droplets and snowflakes.

Torin and Jacques Lakeman, who died aged 19 and 20, had their ashes scattered in space in September.

Their dad Ray Lakeman said: “In death they’ve gone places that they didn’t do while they were alive.

“The boys would have loved it, which is the most important thing.”

Video journalist: Alex Thorp

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