UTSUNOMIYA--Demand is rising for a funeral service that scatters the ashes of loved ones high into the stratosphere, as some in Japan turn to alternative ways to dispose of remains. The balloon ...

The group of about 110 people gathered together to release balloons following a funeral, police believe A crowd of more than 100 mourners gathered to release balloons despite Covid restrictions ...

but it has even fielded an inquiry about "space funerals", sending ashes into space. The plan is to save fuel and money by using the balloon to lift a rocket to high altitude, before launching it.