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Is There Energy in Cremated Ashes?
People have various opinions when it comes to whether or not there is energy in cremated ashes. Different religions also hold varying views on whether cremation is an appropriate alternative to burials, and how to best address what happens after death.
We sit down with author and podcaster Nicolle Morock to discuss more about her personal experiences in determining energy in cremated ashes and the way they affect people in their homes. With years of paranormal investigation under her belt, Nicolle addresses superstitious thoughts about ashes related to spirits and whether it is bad luck to keep ashes in the house.
Q: Do cremated ashes attract ghosts or spirits?
A: In my experience, the ashes aren’t the attraction. It’s the person or people holding onto the ashes. That’s not to say that if you have an urn with a loved one’s ashes in your home that you will automatically have a spirit present, but what I mean is that if you are holding on to the ashes because you’re having a difficult time letting go of your deceased loved one, you may be attracting that person’s spirit to you. You might even be keeping them from crossing over. I had a friend share a sweet story about his brother’s ashes a while back. His brother died tragically from a serious illness, and his family decided to keep the ashes in an urn on the mantle above their fireplace. On the one-year anniversary of his brother’s death, my friend and his mother were standing near the mantle sharing memories of his brother. While they were talking, the urn literally fell off the mantle as if someone had pushed it off. While some people might find this story scary, they took it to mean that the brother was letting them know he was ready to move on.
Q: Where is the best place to keep ashes in your home?
A: I think any place that shows respect for your loved one is the best place. That could be somewhere prominent like the mantle or a shelf in your living room, or it could be in the room your loved one spent the most time in. The idea is to honor their memory, so hiding them in a closet or attic isn’t the best way of doing that. I’ve also read stories of urns with ashes inside being left behind on a shelf in the garage or in the basement when families moved. Keeping the urn in a prominent location would cut down on the possibility of forgetting to take it with you.
Q: Can cremated ashes affect the energy of a home?
A: I think the answer depends on the person the ashes belonged to. If the person was someone who was loved, respected, and a joy to be around, having the ashes in your home would probably be a neutral or possibly a positive thing. If your memories associated with that person were mostly negative, I think it could negatively affect the energy of the home because seeing the urn may cause the people in the home to dwell on negative emotions. It would be better, in that case, to put the ashes in a columbarium or cemetery.
Q: Have you ever been asked to determine whether ashes have been the cause of unrest or unexplainable occurrences in the home?
A: I have not been asked that question, yet. I could tell you a dark story about holding on to other belongings of a deceased person causing problems, but not ashes, so far.
Q: Would it be considered bad luck to open an urn?
A: I’m not really superstitious, but I think if you do anything that goes against the wishes of the deceased, you might be opening yourself up to the possibility of something negative happening. So, if they wanted to remain in an urn undisturbed, opening it might cause a problem. But just opening an urn isn’t bad luck. I can think of legitimate reasons you’d need to, and as long as you’re respectful about it, I doubt it would cause issues.
Q: Can separating ashes cause unrestful spirits?
A: I’d have to say that it might upset the spirit of the deceased person if it went against their wishes or spiritual beliefs. There are some religions that have rules against separating ashes, for other reasons though. For example, as a Catholic, I know we are supposed to have our cremains housed in a columbarium or a cemetery – basically, a consecrated place – and we’re not supposed to allow ashes to be separated because it goes against the church’s teaching about what happens on Judgement Day. On that day, we believe in the “resurrection of the dead,” which if taken literally means scattering ashes in the ocean, for example, would make it difficult for that person to be able to be reassembled, so to speak. The best rule of thumb to avoid disturbing the deceased and allowing them to rest in peace is to be respectful of their beliefs and their wishes. In most cases, it’s really just that simple!
Although everyone has varying opinions and thoughts on cremation and whether it is bad luck to have ashes at home, we hope to dispel any superstitions and reassure those who have unfortunately suffered a loss. At the end of the day, honoring your loved one’s last wishes is a symbolic and meaningful way to pay your respect and can help bring closure. Whether you’re having difficulty choosing an urn size, or need guidance on filling cremation jewelry, Perfect Memorials can help provide resources and answers during difficult times.
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