Partnership deal to scatter ashes of pets (by drone)

A PET cremation company in Sonning Common has partnered with drone specialists to offer a unique and memorable way to bid farewell to beloved pets.

Tranquillity Pet Cremation is working with Aerial Ashes to help clients access “dignified” aerial scattering ceremonies using professional-grade drones.

Peter Baldwin, managing director of Tranquillity Pet Cremation, started the business in February 2023 and said scattering ashes by drone is a “very special” way of honouring their pets.

He said: “As we’re an independent cremation company, there’s nothing we haven’t heard.

“A lot of the time, people have very different, specific things they want to do for their pet and people are always looking to either keep or scatter the ashes. They’re not sure what to do but they want to do something very special.

“We saw what Aerial Ashes was doing and we thought working with them gives an option to people if they want to do something a little bit different — and it is different.”

Aerial Ashes was looking to move into the “pet world” and by Tranquillity joining their affiliate scheme, residents can explore aerial scattering ceremonies as a modern alternative to traditional ash interments.

Mr Baldwin added: “We’re thrilled to partner with Aerial Ashes. It adds something truly special to the services we already offer our community.”

Trained drone pilots conduct the ashes scattering ceremonies and include full planning, permissions and the option to create a tribute video.

Every ceremony is designed to reflect the pet’s life and favourite places.

Matt Young, managing director of Aerial Ashes, based in Christchurch, Bournemouth, said: “We love working with passionate local partners like Tranquillity.

“How it works, in reality, is we meet people at their special place, so that’s usually a beach or somewhere that they’d like to walk.

“Then they hand the ashes to us and we load them into a commercial drone.

“We’ll take off, have a fly around and, when they’re ready, we scatter the ashes.

“It’s quite clever how it works — the ashes come out quite slowly, so we create a large ash cloud that dissipates in front of you. It’s like symbolising going to heaven. It just disappears, so it’s quite spectacular.”

Mr Young said that any reservations people have about the process are usually based on their misunderstanding.

“Ashes are inert,” he said. “It’s probably one of the most natural products you could get, so there is no impact on the environment but it’s certainly a question that people sometimes ask.

“We have people who say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to get covered in ashes if I’m going for a picnic’. Obviously, the reality is we’d never do it anywhere near to anyone.

“We do it very early in the morning when no one else is around to be discreet. We’d never risk that happening.

“Sometimes people try to do DIY scatterings and they get covered in it and breathe it in, which is quite traumatic and they regret it. We take that pressure and that possibility away from them.”

After announcing the partnership in the Tranquillity newsletter, Mr Baldwin said he has received positive feedback.

He said: “One person said it’s a great idea because their dog used to go out on the golf course and out in the field and they didn’t quite know where, but they could scatter over different areas.

“These days, people are looking for something different and special and I thought that we should embrace new technology and, so far, the response has been positive. A couple of people have said yes, they’re very interested, because they’ve never seen it before and never thought of it.

“I’m not going to sit here and say it’s everybody’s cup of tea because it’s not. Hopefully, people will see it as a new alternative.

“The benefit is that it’s unique in what it’s doing, and a few years ago, it probably wouldn’t have been possible because we didn’t have the technology to do it.

“I don’t think it’s going to change our world but if it gives something to clients, I like that.”

For more information or to book a free consultation, visit www.tranquillitypc.com or www.aerialashes.co.uk