Memorial Plants FAQ

How do I plant with cremation ashes?

It starts with soil.

Healthy memorial plants start with healthy soil. First, ashes need to be ‘neutralized’.

Read on to safely and sustainably return ashes to earth.

There is a lot of information out there about planting or gardening with cremation ashes (also known as ‘ashes’ or ‘cremains’). Here are the essentials in a nutshell.

  • At first, you might think cremation ashes are good for plants. After all, they have nutrients that gardens need like nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulphur (S).

    But ashes also have components to their chemistry that makes them toxic to plants and the environment. Our Planting Kits balance 22 of these factors, including pH and sodium, so ashes can return to earth and grow new life.

  • There are multiple factors that make cremation ashes incompatible with nature. We monitor 22 in total. The top three are: pH, sodium, and sterility.

    Ashes have an extremely high pH level of 11.8 (similar to bleach), and a sodium content 200-2000 times higher than plants can tolerate. They are completely sterile—making them safe touch, but not compatible with the environment.

    Ashes are not biodegradable or compostable, even after thousands of years.

    Our Planting Kits use patented soil science to balance this biochemistry and reverse the harmful effects of ashes, so plants and organisms can access their nutrients and grow new life.

  • Unfortunately, no. Mixing with soil does not dilute or balance the chemistry of cremation ashes. The biochemistry is simply too intense to be compatible with the natural environment.

  • While some hardy plants may survive by growing around or away from the ashes, many will not. Seedlings, saplings, and sodium-sensitive species are especially vulnerable. And watering can worsen symptoms as ashes turn to a cement and leach toxins into the surrounding earth. This clump does not biodegrade naturally over time (like many of us imagine). It remains solid in the ground, even with a biodegradable urn.

    Our Planting Kits prevent and reverse these harmful effects, so memorial places can stay healthy and grow.

Ashes can be fatal to plants and organisms if not properly neutralized.

Here’s the dirt.

If an eco-friendly footprint is important to you, let’s make a plan. Send us a message to get started.

Planting Kits 101

Our Planting Kits arrive at your door, and can be used across Canada.

Use with gardens, potted plants, natural cemeteries, or scattering in nature.

Interested in the science?

Our studies have spanned the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, and include an inspiring team of scientists—from Forensic Entomologists and Anthropologists, to a Funeral Director, Pharmacist, and Landscape Architect.

Read more from our partners at Let Your Love Grow™ and Return to Nature.