By burying ashes, we often believe we are returning our loved ones to the earth naturally and safely.

For many years, cemeteries have been burying ashes only to discover that the surrounding plant life does not thrive. There have been instances where cremation grounds and gardens have been relocated for various reasons and it was discovered that the cremated ashes placed directly into the earth remained in the same state as when they were originally buried.

The following photo shows ashes buried in the ground in a biodegradable urn:

Sixteen months after burial, the urn has completely dissolved; however, the ashes are left in concentration and will remain in this same state for years, as will the plastic urn. Plant roots will turn away from this clump of salty rock.

Why Is Burying Ashes So Bad for the Environment?

We were interested in addressing this very question. As a result, we decided to investigate.

Through extensive research performed by an independent lab, we learned that burying ashes in concentrated amounts will have harmful effects on the environment. This is due to the fact that the pH level of the cremated ashes is extremely high and will not allow for the natural release of the good nutrients within the cremated ashes. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about the research.

In addition, cremated ashes also contain sodium in amounts that range from 200 to 2000 times what plant life can tolerate. We know the detrimental effects of sodium on the human body. Plant life is no different.

These high pH and sodium levels are the two main reasons why burying ashes is toxic to plant life. During research, it was discovered that regular soils and potting soils alone cannot address the toxic effects of cremated ashes.

A Better Way of Burying Ashes

We understood the appeal of burying ashes. It seems like such a perfect way to return your loved ones to nature.

We developed Let Your Love Grow to address and remedy this problem. It is an organic mixture designed to blend with cremated ashes to lower the pH and dilute the sodium.

When burying ashes with Let Your Love Grow and a balanced mixture or regular soil or potting soil, plant life will flourish from the release of the nutrients and the leaching of the toxic sodium levels.