The final hot-air balloon flight

An aerial production with a ceremony in the sky

One very personal and atmospheric form of aerial funeral is to release ashes from a hot-air balloon. The funeral can take place anonymously or with companions. Each balloon holds up to 6 people. Bereaved family members can accompany the final balloon journey and scatter the ashes into the wind themselves. A master of ceremonies can also speak in the balloon, and a favourite song can be played. After the ashes have been scattered, family members can cast individual flowers or petals into the wind as a final farewell. As a hot-air balloon flight is almost completely quiet, a dignified and peaceful farewell is assured. As with a burial at sea, the precise coordinates of the place where the ashes were scattered are recorded on a certificate and sent to the family by post after the flight. Agreeing a date for the burial Hotel arrangements on request, reservation by the family Telephone confirmation of the date (weather forecast) 1 day before the burial flight Collection of the family from their local hotel Journey to the launch site Laying out the urn and, if desired, a eulogy by a funeral celebrant Balloon flight to the place where the ashes will be laid to rest Scattering the ashes from the air (burial area, e.g. France, Alsace) Flight and subsequent landing in a suitable area Return journey to the meeting point Total duration 2-3 hours