When a loved one passes away, many people bury ashes to honor their legacy on this earth. By doing so, we often believe we are returning our loved ones to the earth naturally and safely. Yet, research shows that human ashes are actually toxic to our environment. 

For many years, cemeteries have been burying ashes after cremation 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. 

So, how are human ashes toxic? 

Let’s take a look at the following photo that shows human 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 the toxicity of human ashes.

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. 

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 human 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 to Bury 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. Please contact us if you’d like to learn more about the research or our products.