Memorial options
A symbolic portion of the ashes flown into space — returned to Earth, left in orbit, sent to the Moon or beyond. What each option means and what it costs.
A space memorial sends a small, symbolic portion of someone's ashes into space aboard a commercial rocket. It is the most unusual option in this guide and one of the most expensive per gram — but for someone who loved the night sky, flew, or worked in science, it can feel exactly right.
The ashes are sealed in a small capsule that travels as part of a larger payload on a scheduled launch. Only a symbolic portion flies. The rest of the remains stay with the family, so a space memorial is usually combined with another choice — an urn, a tree or a keepsake.
Services differ in where the capsule goes, and whether anything comes back.
The best-known provider is Celestis, based in the United States. Its published starting prices, checked 21 September 2026:
| Service | What happens | From |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Rise | Flies to suborbital space and returns; the flown capsule is given back to the family | $3,495 |
| Earth Orbit | Stays in orbit until it re-enters the atmosphere and burns up | $4,995 |
| Luna | Goes into lunar orbit or onto the Moon's surface | $12,995 |
| Voyager | Sent on a permanent journey into deep space, beyond the Moon | $12,995 |
Prices are in US dollars. Celestis offers payment plans.
Someone whose life had a real connection to flight, space or science — and a family comfortable with a long lead time and a memorial they cannot visit. It is rarely a family's only memorial.
A small, symbolic amount rather than the full remains. Check the exact quantity with the provider for the service you choose.
Ask the provider directly — whether pet remains are accepted depends on the service.
In-depth guides
Tell us what you are weighing up and we will come back with options that fit — what they cost and how long they take. There is no deadline on this decision.
