Browse Memorial Services
Sending ashes into space has become an increasingly popular final journey, and there are two quite different ways to do it in the UK.
The first is a high-altitude balloon flight, offered by UK-based providers. A small portion of ashes travels inside a specially designed vessel lifted by a biodegradable balloon filled with hydrogen gas, reaching over 100,000 feet, the edge of space, before being released in a gentle cascade. The ashes then drift in the stratosphere for several months before naturally returning to Earth as rain or snow. The flight is filmed throughout, and families receive a personalised memorial video.
The second is a genuine rocket-based memorial spaceflight, where ashes travel aboard a real space mission alongside satellites and other payloads. Depending on the package chosen, this can mean a short trip to the edge of space and back, an extended journey in Earth’s orbit lasting months or years, or, for the more adventurous, a flight to the Moon or into deep space.
Below you’ll find UK providers offering both balloon-based and full rocket-based memorial spaceflights.
What’s the difference between a balloon flight and a rocket launch? Balloon flights reach the edge of space (around 100,000 feet) using a hydrogen balloon and release the ashes there. Rocket-based spaceflights carry ashes aboard an actual orbital or deep-space mission, a different scale of journey entirely.
How much does it cost? Balloon flights typically start from around £2,000 to £2,500. Rocket-based memorial spaceflights start from around £2,000 for a short flight, rising to several thousand pounds or more for Earth orbit, lunar or deep space options.
Can families attend the launch? Many balloon flight providers welcome families to attend in person. Rocket launches usually take place at dedicated spaceports, with live streaming available for those who can’t travel.
Is it environmentally friendly? Balloon flights use biodegradable, non-toxic materials and renewable hydrogen. Rocket-based flights, by nature of using a rocket, do have a carbon footprint, worth considering if this matters to your family.