In 2014, my father's sudden passing confronted my family with the complexities of funeral planning. This experience highlighted the limited burial options available in Jamaica. Traditional burial, often involving church ceremonies and grave interment, is deeply ingrained in our culture. However, this reliance on traditional burial is straining land resources and prompting a need for alternative solutions.
The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) recognized this challenge in a 2019 article, encouraging Jamaicans to explore more eco-friendly options for honoring their loved ones. Cremation, a growing trend worldwide, is gaining traction in Jamaica. Cremated remains (cremains) offer a diverse range of possibilities. They can be scattered in meaningful locations, interred in columbariums, used to nurture trees, transformed into unique keepsakes like diamonds or jewelry, or even incorporated into artistic expressions.
For the past eight years, I have dedicated myself to researching and advocating for these alternative options. My vision for Jamaica includes a network of memory gardens, forests, and parks in every parish. These serene spaces would serve as living memorials, where trees and plants flourish in conjunction with the cremains of loved ones. Sculptures infused with cremains would further enhance these spaces, creating poignant reminders of past generations and the enduring cycle of life. I envision a future where families can visit these parks with their children, celebrating both the lives that have passed and the promise of new life to come.
This dream is an ongoing endeavor. Until this vision becomes a reality, Ashes to Ashes remains committed to providing eco-friendly burial options for Jamaicans, helping families find beauty and meaning in the face of loss.