Funeral Home Reveals What Happens When No One Comes to Collect Ashes

A funeral home has revealed what happens to the cremated ashes of those with no friends or family to call on.

Death is an inevitable part of life and something each of us must give thought to, not least when it comes to envisioning the kind of send-off you might wish to have. A 2023 survey of 2,000 U.S. adults conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Titan Casket found that 81 percent of respondents had given some thought to what their memorial might be like.

But have you ever wondered what might happen if no one attended your funeral? Say you were cremated—what would become of your ashes? For one funeral home in Singapore, the answer is something quite poignant.

Jenny Tay, the managing director of Direct Funeral Services, took over the family business from her father 10 years ago with the promise she would continue his mission “to serve the underprivileged.”

“My dad has been in the funeral business for over 40 years,” Tay told Newsweek. “He began as a coffee shop boy serving beverages at a funeral parlor. It was there that he witnessed the stark contrast between the funerals of those who had the means and those who didn’t. The affluent received elaborate ceremonies, while the less fortunate had just a coffin in the middle of a hall.”

Seeing that stark contrast inspired him to set up a business offering more affordable funeral services.

“A proper send-off is not about it being a luxurious one,” Tay said. “It’s the act of bidding the deceased a final farewell with respect, dignity and honor. It also brings comfort to the living and helps families get closure.”

Part of that work has always included hosting pro bono funerals for the underprivileged and those without next of kin. With funerals in the U.S. costing an average of between $7,000 and $12,000, Direct Funeral Services’ efforts in offering free services are commendable.

But that only tells half the story. In a video posted to its TikTok channel, the company offered a poignant glimpse of the special sea burials they host for cremated ashes that go unclaimed.

“Each week, we receive two or three cases from social workers of individuals with no next of kin or who have lost touch with family,” Tay said. “We strive to assist each one.”

Every three months, the ashes of around 30 of these individuals are taken out to sea for one last goodbye, with staff taking extra care to pay their respects to the memories of those that once were.

“We charter a boat and bring the deceased to the ocean for their final farewell,” Tay said. “We prepare flower petals and food offerings for a quiet prayer before scattering their ashes, all biodegradable, ensuring a return to nature.”

Tay said that the funeral home’s approach is partly down to cultural heritage. “In Chinese funeral customs, we focus on honoring the dead and bidding farewell to them with respect and dignity,” she said. “These individuals we assist often don’t have family to give them a proper farewell, or they may have led a difficult life. Knowing that we can be there on the final journey is incredibly heartening.”

At the time of writing, the video has been watched over 600,000 times on TikTok.

“From dust to dust. You have given these departed souls a peaceful rest,” one viewer commented.

Another person wrote: “My father was homeless when he died and the city of Seattle couldn’t find me. He became unclaimed and I didn’t find him until he was buried together with over 2000 others.”

Tay has been heartened by the response to the clip and hopes it will inspire others to take action.

“We wanted to share our work to encourage others to reach out when they see someone in need or even for those in need to reach out to us,” she said. “Our aim is to raise awareness so more people can access the support they need during difficult times.”