IN APRIL 1986 the “Chernobyl” disaster took place in the Soviet Union.
Through a series of mistakes, the number four nuclear reactor exploded and it is estimated that the clean-up will not be finished until 2065.
The town of Pripyat was evacuated and around 49,000 people were moved to a new purpose built city called Slavutych for their safety.
Today, the old town is a ghostly shell of its former self, completely abandoned, falling, rusting and decaying, just waiting to die.
Which brings me to the point of this column, something that we often don’t wish to talk about, our attitude to dying.
It is not often talked about when young, (we’re too busy) but as one ages the thought flickers on and off, our families, our lives, what will our grandchildren’s future be like.
Few of us prepare for the inevitable. Some do, some have their burial plots marked out or know exactly what they intend to do.
Then there are those who at the end of their days who find themselves in palliative care, forced into these institutions due to circumstances beyond their control.
Families then must decide what is the best outcome.
The decision is divided, to have a cremation, (which is fast becoming more popular) or a burial site.
Which funeral home to use and how much cost is involved.
All these are difficult questions to answer at a sad time.
Many of these questions could have been answered by the drawing up of an advanced care plan or “living will”.
It gives you back control and produces an acceptable outcome in discussions with your family.
But wait. Have you ever thought about being around forever?
The element of carbon accounts for 18 per cent of the human body, which makes the turning of human ashes into “cremation diamonds” possible, since a diamond is in fact crystallized carbon.
There are a number of companies that address this unusual business and these discussions can be arranged through the selected funeral home.
The internet states that to create a personalised gemstone, 50-100g of ash or 10g of hair is needed, however it could be more, as it all depends on how many carats and what shape and style of diamond is required.
Diamonds can be processed and made into rings or any other jewellery that one desires or can be made into a stone as a keepsake to remember the person by.
Interesting fact is that it takes 6-9 months at high pressure to make 1ct of diamond from the ashes.
Colours and sizes may vary according to the number of “elements” present in the ashes, while some of these elements can also be removed to satisfy the requirements of the purchaser.
These brilliant diamonds can be made into varies shapes and settings such as heart, oval, rectangular, pear or square shapes. (See the internet for diamond photos.)
The cremation stones process can also turn ashes into “ceramic- like” stones with 100 per cent of the ash being used.
The ash is purified and turned into a material like clay.
This material is then placed in a kiln at high temperature and turned into very hard stones. Cremation stones and diamonds are a beautiful and a meaningful way to remember your loved one.
