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Ashes on the Frances

rappahannock_rev

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Time of past OR future Camino
First one in 1977 by train. Many since then by foot. Next one ASAP.
If you were going to have a tiny vial of your post-cremation ashes deposited/placed/"sprinkled" somewhere on the Camino Frances, what spot would you choose?

A dear friend of mine and a many-times Camino veteran, now in his twilight, has asked me to assist him in this matter. I've prayed about it, and tentatively agreed to do as he requests, pending approval by my ecclesiastical superiors -- since the Church can be (rightly) touchy about such things....
 
The Way: Through a Field of Stars
A great book to listen to while training for the Camino or to relive the experience!
Sorry for the diversion Rev.

My wife’s grandmother passed away at the age of 101. We were given a portion of her ashes to scatter.

Back in the 1950s grandma was an early but impoverished international traveller. Working class people from our part of the UK simply didn’t go ‘abroad’.

She sat down one day on the steps of the casino in Monte Carlo to eat a sandwich and was quickly removed by security.

Obviously, that’s where her ashes were to be scattered. Whilst two friends distracted the modern-day security, the ashes were scattered over the steps by Mrs HtD.

It took nearly 70 years, but there’s a part of Monte Carlo which will forever be Wigan, Lancashire.

Now - back on topic.
 
Cruz de Ferro. Monto de Gozo. Lavacolla. Or, what's important to your friend?
 
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Dear reverend, as you listen to your friend’s memories about his pilgrimages, the two of you might discern where his ashes “belong.”

Alternatively, it’s possible you will know when you get to the spot…perhaps even led to it. At least that was my experience. Buen camino to you both
 
I would go all the way to the end of the world.
It's not on the frances, though.

But, I think everyone should take your lead and have a post title
that almost rhymes. We could do "Santa on the Via de la Plata,"
"Mary headed to Finnesterre," and "Bad knees on the Portuguese"
 
On the Frances?

My picks would be.

  1. Top of the Pyrenees somewhere around Croix Thibault. What a view!
  2. On the Hills above El Acebo, about 1-2 kms past the Cruz de Ferro. Great views!

But maybe just ask him.

"when you think of your favourite place on the Camino Frances, what springs to mid"?
 
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Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
In 2016, on my second Camino, I carried a small container of my parents' co-mingled ashes (they died 2 years apart). I left some at the base of the cross at Cruz de Ferro, some on the cross behind the lighthouse at Finisterre, and the remainder went into the ocean at Finisterre. I think they would have been happy with these choices. Buen Camino.
 
I would like mine to go in the ocean at Finisterre and have my love simply say : " Buen Camino " .

Samarkand.
 
In my view there would never be a best place only a right place. Wishes would be granted and I am sure your choice would be apt and as requested. To entrust this to you as a final act as one friend to another is an honour.
I am a Bristol boy to a Folkestonian mother. I did not know her final wish beyond she wished to be cremated. I scattered her remains on the East Cliff at Folkestone. Was it the right place or wrong place, was it even the best place?....I had taken her home as you will for your friend. A part of him will rest where he loved so much and was important to him.
I am so touched by this thread
 
Last edited:
Let us pick up your suitcase once you arrive in Europe....
...and ship it to Santiago for storage. You pick it up once in Santiago. Service offered by Casa Ivar (we use DHL for transportation).
henrythedog said:
Now - back on topic.
Click to expand...
I think this thread and the memories it has evoked and been shared by you @HtD and others is more special than only receiving advice on where to spread ashes on the Camino of someone we do not know.
I, along with a few family members, spread my sister's ashes on the shore of a beautiful lake she loved. We celebrated afterward with a lovely lunch sharing our various memories of times spent with her.
 
I have told my family to flush me down the loo. Afterall my body is of no use to me after I am dead. Frankly, I don't care what they do with me but I would like to think that they don't waste money on something sentimental.
 
Cruz De Ferrol
 
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There are those that insist that their ashes be sprinkled all over Walt Disney World. I don't understand why people want to litter the Camino or WDW.

Shouldn't you be more concerned about the final destination of the soul?


-Paul
 
My husband and I walked the Lebaniego Vadiniense en October 2019. Spectacular! And such wonderful memories. Last October 2022 my son and I buried John’s ashes at the base of a tree overlooking the path, at the “correct” (when it’s right it’s right) spot with a perfect view of the Picos de Europa. Family and friends sent along small stones, some decorated and some from meaningful places, and we placed those over the spot with the ashes. And then we covered everything so nothing would attract attention and be disturbed. He will always be where he was so very happy.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
The Catholic church definitely frowns on keeping ashes at home rather than a place of worship and also scattering ashes.However as a practising catholic I also believe in examining priest-made rules,my conscience and what would Jesus have actually thought about it.Consequently,I scattered a small amount of my wifes ashes near Apulia while having a paddle in the sea(something she did,wherever she went, irrespective of the season).I'm pretty sure I won't go to hell.
 
With all due respect to Martin Sheen, most of my cremains will go into a free for me National Cemetery. But if my sentimental family wants to spread a few of my ashes I caution them to first watch "The Big Lebowsky" movie. But my greatest hope is that this not occur until I have walked several more Caminos. Buen Camino
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
I spoke with my priest before taking John’s ashes to the Lebaniego. I gave him my reasons for wanting to do so, and he said it was the most beautiful idea he had heard. He even came to the house to bless the ashes before we left,
 
Muxia. My niece/Goddaughter always wanted to walk the Camino, but passed at an early age. I carried some of her ashes the whole Way, SJPP to the waters on the shore of Muxia. I would never consider obtaining anyone's approval, other than her parents' of course, for such a thing. Her mother especially did not want her at Cruz de Ferro with so many others' burdens.

For you, just ask your friend. He has walked the Caminos and presumably would have a preference.
 
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
mattythedog said:
I would never consider obtaining anyone's approval, other than her parents' of course, for such a thing.
Click to expand...
As a priest @rappahannock_rev is bearing in mind his church's teaching and practice on the matter. That is part of the discipline of serving in ordained ministry. Not all matters are entirely relative and subject only to one's personal opinion or preference.
 
I have a specific provision in my will about where I want my ashes scattered - on one of the pilgrimage routes that I have completed elsewhere. This was to ensure that there will be no question from the national and local authorities about it being my intent. The other issues around travelling with human remains and whether there are specific local conditions that have to be met will be things for my survivors to deal with.
 
Camino wristwatch
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
Finisterre. My wife passed 4 1/2 years ago and even though she never walked a camino I was always telling her how much I love Finisterre. When she was in her last days she asked me to spread some of her ashes at Finisterre which I dutifully did and visit the spot on each of my walks there.
 
As a priest @rappahannock_rev is bearing in mind his church's teaching and practice on the matter. That is part of the discipline of serving in ordained ministry. Not all matters are entirely relative and subject only to one's personal opinion or preference.
Bradypus's point above is well taken.
If you have difficulty in carrying out your friend's wishes, I would consider it an honor to assist you in placing the ashes and/or carrying them across the Camino when the time comes and if I am able. I am Catholic if that has any bearing on your decision. I live in Maryland; maybe not so far from you.
 
There are pilgrim ashes all along the Camino. The Philip Wren memorial outside Moratinos was originally a tree and a plaque, but Philip's sister later brought his remains and scattered them there, too. (The tree is, I'm afraid, also dead now, the dry Spring weather took its toll, alas!)

The pilgrim memorial park outside Astorga also is home to ashes of at least three pilgrims. It is ground blessed specifically by the bishop of Astorga, so feel free to scatter there if you wish.
 
Camino wristwatch
Perfect memento/gift in a presentation box. Engraving available, 25 character max.
Jeffery you know the proper answer to this. As a matter of fact you explained to me how the church looks at separating remains. Of course we could talk about this over a glass of wine.
 
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The following link appears to be the official rule from the Vatican on scattering of human remains for Roman Catholics.

Instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo regarding the burial of the deceasedand the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation (15 August 2016)

Instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo regarding the burial of the deceased and the conservation of the ashes in the case of cremation, 15 August 2016
www.vatican.va

Other faiths should follow their own faith traditions as well as all civil laws concerning the scattering and transportation of human remains.


-Paul
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
Rebekah Scott said:
...Unless of course said remains were once part of a saint. In which case they are "relics," which is a whole
'nother can of worms. So to speak.
Click to expand...
Relics are certainly scattered over the Camino, but generally encased in jewelled reliquaries first and they somehow seem to inevitably end up in churches.
 
isawtman said:
I would go all the way to the end of the world.
It's not on the frances, though.
Click to expand...
I took my two rocks to the end of the earth, and threw the first off only to have it blow back toward me and land about 60 cm in front of me … too far for me to venture out to get it and try again, or I was certain I’d be blown off the cliff with it in the ferocious wind. Good thing I took a second rock with me.

It would be a disaster with ashes, with the thrower or unsuspecting pilgrims behind the thrower, getting a faceful.
 
Not my experience and no disaster. I took the ashes to the rocks of Muxia and went to a secluded area near the water away from pilgrims and tourists, and I gently poured the ashes into the water.
 
Promote your Camino Project on the forum
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
2024 edition: The Brierley Camino Frances Guide
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Sweet, sweet immortal revenge.

Agree. Consult your friend.

 
The Way: Through a Field of Stars
A great book to listen to while training for the Camino or to relive the experience!
Ime a simple man.carry those ashes with love and deposit them with the same. Dont let your person heart and priestly heart be troubled of loving acts of kindness..as we are called to be.
Be blessed.
 
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