'Surely, there are better places to do this': Council warns locals over disturbing public trend

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.


compressed-Queens Gardens.jpeg
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'.


compressed-Queens Gardens 2.jpeg
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.
 

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I could think of better places to spread a loved one's ashes. Maybe these people don't care about where the ashes are spread. Just want to get rid of them.
 
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Reactions: relljube
are you serious? Ever think that people may choose to be amongst the pretty flowers and the peace of the garden?
Pretty flowers and peace in a garden. Yes.
Your own.garden, not a public one.

Whether the ashes harm the plants or not is irrelevant .
For heaven's sake its about respect.
Respect for the deceased respect for the people enjoying the public garden

There are a million other appropriate places rather than using a public garden as your private cemetery.
 
oh please!! people have been spreading ashes and burying bodies from the beginning of time and now some clown comes up with this idea everyone has to scream blue bloody murder. For heaven's sake get a life. I grew up with the cemetery over our back fence and the only things that happened was thieves picked the lead out of the headstones and on one occasion a lady scared the shit out of everyone by banging on the coffin. SHE WASN'T DEAD YET.:D
 
Pretty flowers and peace in a garden. Yes.
Your own.garden, not a public one.

Whether the ashes harm the plants or not is irrelevant .
For heaven's sake its about respect.
Respect for the deceased respect for the people enjoying the public garden

There are a million other appropriate places rather than using a public garden as your private cemetery.
People can have all sorts of reasons for requesting their ashes be sprinkled in a public place.

Sprinkled not dumped in one spot.
 
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Reactions: Macarj
I could think of better places to spread a loved one's ashes. Maybe these people don't care about where the ashes are spread. Just want to get rid of them.
Pretty flowers and peace in a garden. Yes.
Your own.garden, not a public one.

Whether the ashes harm the plants or not is irrelevant .
For heaven's sake its about respect.
Respect for the deceased respect for the people enjoying the public garden

There are a million other appropriate places rather than using a public garden as your private cemetery.
Yes I think people doing this do not want the responsibility of the ashes to start off with,let alone pay to send them to outer space 🤣🤣
I am not sure many people would want their wishes known
JUST SPRINKLE ME IN THE LOCAL PARK SO THE STRAY DOGS AND CATS CAN EITHER PEE ON ME OR SLEEP ON ME FOR WARMTH, OR LITTLE TODDLERS CARRYING THEIR VEGEMITE SANDWICH CAN DROP IT OVER ME AND THEN PICK IT UP OUT OF THE GARDEN AND EAT IT.!!Come on,let's find a more appropriate place for our cremated relatives.
 
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Reactions: mylittletibbies
oh please!! people have been spreading ashes and burying bodies from the beginning of time and now some clown comes up with this idea everyone has to scream blue bloody murder. For heaven's sake get a life. I grew up with the cemetery over our back fence and the only things that happened was thieves picked the lead out of the headstones and on one occasion a lady scared the shit out of everyone by banging on the coffin. SHE WASN'T DEAD YET.:D
Now that is newsworthy!!!
Was she still in the coffin?
Yes people have been scattering ashes but if it's happening in the local rose bush garden to the point that it's looking like puked up mulch,pick another place and not were people are picnicking
 
Now that is newsworthy!!!
Was she still in the coffin?
Yes people have been scattering ashes but if it's happening in the local rose bush garden to the point that it's looking like puked up mulch,pick another place and not were people are picnicking
Exactly , there's a time and place for everything. A public garden is not the place. It belongs to the public
If the deceased wanted to be.buried in
a rose garden then maybe they
or one of their relatives should have planted one. Or plant one in a large pot and place the ashes in there.
It's a pretty entitled attitude not to mention disrespectful to just throw someone ashes in a public park.
 
I’ve had my deceased husband’s ashes for 11.5 years so far. I wish he’d told me what he wanted done with them. I had asked him but never got a direct answer. I was in denial up until two days before he passed, perhaps he didn’t want to upset me more. Those last two days he couldn’t make sense of anything and couldn’t speak, couldn’t move.

Our four kids have been no help, saying it’s up to me. ⚱️
 
I’ve had my deceased husband’s ashes for 11.5 years so far. I wish he’d told me what he wanted done with them. I had asked him but never got a direct answer. I was in denial up until two days before he passed, perhaps he didn’t want to upset me more. Those last two days he couldn’t make sense of anything and couldn’t speak, couldn’t move.

Our four kids have been no help, saying it’s up to me. ⚱️
That does make it difficult for you.
Luckily my husband had always
said that he wished his ashes to be placed
in with his daughter who passed away about 16 years ago, and was buried
in SA. He knew I would not want to be
buried there as my.children are here in
WA
He was a bit upset about that at the start but finally came around but he never would make a will because he thought it would jinx him.
Well I have a will and I'm still here. Silly man
it is such a drama when you don't have a will.
 
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Reactions: Macarj and DLHM
I’ve had my deceased husband’s ashes for 11.5 years so far. I wish he’d told me what he wanted done with them. I had asked him but never got a direct answer. I was in denial up until two days before he passed, perhaps he didn’t want to upset me more. Those last two days he couldn’t make sense of anything and couldn’t speak, couldn’t move.

Our four kids have been no help, saying it’s up to me. ⚱️
after all this time you still can't make a decision??
 

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