What Is A Space Burial?

A space burial is a memorial in which a symbolic portion of a loved one’s cremated remains is launched into space aboard a commercial rocket, typically into Earth orbit, where the capsule circles the planet before re-entering the atmosphere as a shooting star. Space burials cost from $3,000 for an orbital space funeral to $12,500+ for lunar and deep-space missions.

Crossing The Final Frontier, What Are Space Burials?

There are many types of burials we have in the world today, but none may be as extraordinary as space burial. This is a kind of burial ritual where the ashes of a departed person are launched into space. They are commonly sent into orbit around the earth for a brief period and then returned to the planet. Contrary to popular opinion, the ashes are not dispersed or scattered in space.

This practice is avoided because it would result in an increase in space debris, a term given to the space waste and detritus put out into space by manned space flights or rockets. Data shows us that there are over 200,000 particles of space debris measuring between 1 and 10 centimeters and over a million smaller particles measuring less than 1 centimeter. These small particles could damage the rockets and satellites in space.

So, the long and short of it is that ashes are not scattered in space in a space burial, which is also known as a memorial spaceflight.

How Do Space Burials Work?

Currently, only private companies offer the option to conduct this type of burial. To have this burial type organized for a loved one, here is what you will need to do.

• Get in touch with a company that conducts space burials - The first thing you need to do is find a company that conducts this type of burial. This way, you can rest assured that all the necessary formalities, like the paperwork, the permissions and any other essential procedures, are smoothly handled. Through the Titan Space Program, powered by Beyond Burials (a Celestis company with 30 years of spaceflight heritage), your loved one’s ashes fly as part of a commercial space mission aboard rockets such as the SpaceX Falcon 9. So, you may have to wait for a mission to come up to have the space burial orchestrated on your behalf.
• Place the ashes in the tube given by the company - In the meantime, you will be given a special miniature tube that is approximately as small as the average lipstick holder. You need to place a symbolic portion (about 1 gram) of the ashes of your loved one in this tube and send it to the company. The capsule can be engraved with personal details like your loved one’s name and flight details.
• Be present for the launch - Once you have completed the necessary formalities and a space mission has come up, you may be invited by the company to better understand how the liftoff and flight will work. Some companies may even conduct joint memorial services for all the people who have ashes of their loved ones on the spaceflight. If, for some reason, you are not able to be present for the launch in person, you can choose to watch a live telecast of the same from your location.
• Keep track of the ashes - Orbital missions can last for months to several years. It can be comforting to have a way to track the capsule. Real-time orbital tracking lets you follow the spacecraft’s exact location as it circles the Earth. This will help you feel connected even when you are worlds away.
• The shooting star finale - On an orbital mission, the spacecraft eventually re-enters the atmosphere as a brilliant streak of light: a shooting star. Because only a symbolic portion flies, the majority of the ashes stay with your family throughout, for any other funeral traditions or burial rituals you may have planned. You also receive a keepsake video and a certificate of spaceflight from the mission.

What Do Space Burials Cost?

Like most things related to funerals, you can find space burials priced across different budgets. Typically, the cost ranges from around $3,000 to $12,500 or more, depending on the destination:

• Earth orbit (from $3,000): the capsule orbits the planet and returns as a shooting star. This is the Titan Space Program’s all-inclusive Shooting Star Service, which includes an engraved capsule, orbital tracking, launch livestream, keepsake video, and a guaranteed free re-flight if the launch fails.

• Lunar missions (higher cost): ashes travel to the Moon’s surface or lunar orbit.

• Deep space (the upper end): ashes leave Earth’s orbit entirely on a permanent voyage.

What Happens After Planning A Space Burial For A Loved One?

A space burial is more of an experience and less of a permanent place to put the departed to rest. Since only a symbolic portion of the ashes flies, you can conduct a traditional funeral ceremony and bury the remaining ashes or have them scattered as per your loved one’s wishes. For this, you will find that the urns available on Titan Casket’s website are ideal to hold the ashes of the person who has passed on.

Space Burial FAQs

How much does a space burial cost?

From $3,000 for an all-inclusive Earth-orbit memorial through the Titan Space Program, up to $12,500 or more for lunar and deep-space missions.

Are the ashes scattered in space?

No. The ashes remain sealed in a flight capsule to avoid creating space debris. On orbital missions the capsule re-enters the atmosphere as a shooting star.

Is a space burial legal?

Yes. Memorial spaceflights fly as licensed secondary payloads on commercial rockets, fully compliant with U.S. launch regulations.

Can you send DNA instead of ashes?

Yes. Programs like the Titan Space Program support both cremated remains and non-invasive DNA samples, so a space memorial is possible even without cremation. Learn more in our full space funeral guide.