Don’t be a pain in the ash.
A crew of gardeners banding together to beautify a formerly fallow scenic site are now pleading for people to stop illegally scattering human ashes at their riverfront respite.
Friends of Sunny Corner, the group that has been tending to a forgotten but fetching stretch of the River Truro in Cornwall, England since 2016, issued the unusual ask after one of their members accidentally swallowed a mouthful of human remains that blew in their face.
Paul Caruana / SWNS
The gaggle of green thumbs have reportedly been so effective in their beautification efforts, the pretty flower beds have become something of a destination for locals looking for a final resting place for their relatives.
Paul Caruana, chairman of the organization, said his volunteers have recently had to clean up after 15 different instances of unwanted ash adornment.
“One volunteer actually got a level of mouthful of ashes because the wind caught him and suddenly when you got a mouthful of human ashes it is quite distressing and it just happens to far too regularly,” Caruana, 71, told SWNS.
“It’s not funny at all. People say ‘well it is only ashes’. Well, you get a mouthful yourself and tell me if it is a pleasant experience — it is an awful thing to happen,” he said.
Friends of Sunny Corner recently issued an appeal to the community, urging for an end to the crummy custom.
“Despite numerous requests not to spread human ashes across our flower beds, we arrived today (Tuesday, February 4) to find a large area covered in them,” the appeal read.
“Two things need to be considered — firstly, it is illegal to spread ashes on the ground without the appropriate permission to do so.
“Secondly, and even more importantly, our volunteer gardeners get really upset having to handle human remains.”
The practice is generally legal in the UK with permission from the land holder, as long as environmental rules are followed.
In the United States, guidelines vary by state. At popular locations such as national parks, mourners can request a special use permit from the National Park Service for what is known as “memorialization.”
In an interview with a local newspaper, Richard Budge, parks and amenities and facilities officer for Truro City Council, said that this hasn’t been an issue in city parks — but acknowledged that Sunny Corner has been struggling of late.
“If you spread human ashes it can be distressing for those who come across the remains. We remind people that if they want to scatter ashes they need to contact us and apply,” Budge said.
Caruana admitted that he understands the pull of the “beautiful spot,” which can then be visited any time scatterers want to feel close to their loved ones.
He offered an alternate suggestion, however.
“Put them in the sea or river — which is five meters away,” he urged.
