The Posthumous World

Cremated ashes are nothing like ashes. They are more medium-like fine gravel, the sort you might cover your driveway with. As I dug down, I did see some fine white stones but it was impossible to say whether these where the remains of fathers ashes. Where had that pile of white gravel gone to? Had it somehow sunk into the soil? Had it been carried away by the wind? Had it been swept away by a garden attendant, concerned at the sudden appearance of the foreign white substance?

In the end, I could not be sure that I had found any trace of my fathers remains. However, I did find a lot of other life there – worms, black ants, red ants, spiders. As well as fresh summer grass. It was teeming with life in fact.

What effect does scattering of ashes have on the local ecology?

Apparently it depends on the soil. Ashes contain calcium (from the bones), salt and a high pH. This might help to balance an acidic soil or break up a clayey soil. Otherwise scattering large amounts of ash could be detrimental. It is better to scatter it thinly over a wider area.