Memorial options
Space Memorials from ashes
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.
What actually happens
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 options, and what they cost
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.
Things to know before you commit
- Launch dates move. These are commercial spaceflights, and schedules slip — sometimes by a long way. Ask how you will be kept informed.
- Ask what happens if a launch fails. Rockets occasionally do. Find out whether the flight is re-flown and at whose cost.
- Only Earth Rise brings anything back. With every other option, the flown portion does not return.
- Ask whether the family can attend or watch the launch, and what is included in the price.
Who it tends to suit
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.
Common questions
How much of the ashes goes into space?
A small, symbolic amount rather than the full remains. Check the exact quantity with the provider for the service you choose.
Can a pet's ashes go into space?
Ask the provider directly — whether pet remains are accepted depends on the service.
Sources
- Celestis — experiences and pricing — service descriptions and starting prices (checked 21 September 2026)
Not sure this is the right choice?
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.