Public parks and gardens are places where communities convene and enjoy nature's beauty.

In a move that has sparked both concern and curiosity among locals, one council took a step to protect its gardens from an unconventional trend taking over.

The Queens Gardens, a botanical haven nestled at the base of Castle Hill, has become the centre of a rather unconventional trend.

The serene rose gardens have been unwittingly doubling as a final resting place for some.

Mourners have been scattering the ashes of their loved ones among the garden's flora.

Queens Gardens boasts four hectares of greenery. Image Credit: Townsville City Council

This practice, while deeply personal and meaningful for those involved, led the Townsville City Council to intervene.

The council installed signage throughout the gardens with a clear message.

'The scattering of cremated remains is not permitted in the gardens. Any ashes deposited will be removed,' the signage read.

A spokesperson for the Townsville City Council explained that these signage were a response to repeated instances of human remains being scattered or discarded in the gardens.

'Council asks that community members refrain from discarding ashes in public places as finding human remains of varying levels can be extremely confronting and emotionally upsetting for both council staff and the broader community,' the spokesperson stated in the Townsville Bulletin.

'Council's gardeners spend a great deal of time and place a lot of pride tending to our botanical gardens, and unfortunately, cremated remains being scattered on plants and soils can be detrimental to their health.'

While scattering ashes on public land and water is legal in Queensland, certain areas still require a permit for it.

The council's move sparked a debate online as Australians weighed in on the appropriateness of the practice.

'Why would you want to spread someone's ashes in a public park?' one comment asked.
'Let's go for a picnic. The kid drops some food on the grass, picks it up, and eats it, along with someone's dead grandma,' another visualised.

'Surely, there are better places to do this.'

'How often is this occurring for there to be a need for a sign, and how do they plan to remove them?' another asked, curious about the council's measures.

Larry Newman, one of Morleys Funeral Home's co-executives, offered his insights.

Mr Newman shared that there are many better options for spreading remains.

He pointed out that ashes could have negative health impacts if inhaled and likened it to 'breathing in concrete'.

Townsville City Council's warning signs have been displayed on parts of the garden. Image Credit: Facebook/Judy Britton

Mr Newman also mentioned that nearby churches often have designated sites for ashes, which could be an alternative to public gardens.

For residents looking for a unique or extravagant final tribute, Mr Newman noted that some choose to have their loved one's remains pressed into a diamond.

Another option could be sending their remains to space through a SpaceX flight.
Indeed, the options for memorialising the departed vary.

The situation in Townsville should be a reminder to consider our actions, especially in shared spaces.

While the desire to be close to nature in remembrance is natural, it's important to find a balance that respects both the environment and the community.

Key Takeaways

• Townsville City Council acted on a concerning trend of mourners scattering human ashes on Queens Gardens.
• The council stated that ash scattering in the area could affect both the emotional well-being of staff and visitors, as well as the health of plants and soils.
• Dispersing ashes over public land or water is generally permitted in Queensland unless the area requires a permit.
• A funeral home executive also offered various alternatives to preserve the remains of the departed.

What do you think of this rule from Townsville? Do you believe that certain places should be off-limits for this act? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

 

[DLHM]

after all this time you still can't make a decision??

No I can’t make a decision, @Jest!

You are not in my situation, you don’t know what has been going on in my life during that time, so who are you to question me? I was not asking for your opinion. I was not asking for help in a decision. In future, don’t reply to my comments.

It’s obvious you have no understanding of anyone who doesn’t think like you. I don’t want your opinion. F*ck you.

 

[Dynomite]

Yes. Public parks should not be disposal sites especially of human or animal remains