When a family chooses cremation, it’s natural to wonder how much ash remains afterwards.

It isn’t out of curiosity, but rather a wish to handle everything carefully: to choose the right urn, share the ashes among loved ones, or find a meaningful place to keep them.

Although every case is different, there are general figures and specific factors that help explain how much ash comes from a human body and why the amount isn’t always the same.

After the cremation of a loved one, the need to open the urn may sometimes arise. This can be for different reasons: fulfilling the deceased’s wish to scatter their ashes in a place with symbolic value, transferring them to another more suitable urn, or dividing them among several family members.

Cremation is becoming increasingly common in Spain and in many other countries. Families often choose it as a more intimate, practical, and environmentally respectful way of saying goodbye. It allows relatives to keep the ashes, scatter them in meaningful places, or place them in a memorial.

However, after the process, many people face an understandable concern: how to know if the ashes are from my relative and not from someone else. 

For many families, scattering ashes at sea is far more than a simple act: it’s a deeply meaningful moment, a gesture that unites the memory of a loved one with the immensity and calm of the ocean.

However, it’s not something that can be done without following certain rules. In Spain, it’s regulated and requires specific steps to comply with the law and protect the marine environment. Understanding these rules is essential to ensure the ceremony is special and safe.

When a person is cremated, a common question arises among family members: who owns the ashes of the deceased? While this may seem like a simple matter, the reality is that the law does not always provide a clear answer, and disagreements can arise—especially when there are no written instructions from the deceased.

Collecting the ashes after a cremation is a deeply emotional and symbolic moment for many families. It raises important questions — both practical and personal — especially for those facing this process for the first time: how are ashes collected from a cremation chamber?

Exhuming and transferring remains is a highly sensitive and regulated process in Spain. Although it’s not a frequent occurrence, certain circumstances—legal, administrative, or personal—may require it. In this article, we’ll explain when exhumation is possible, who can request it, the documentation involved, and how the process works.

When is an exhumation and transfer of remains requested?

Exhumation involves removing human remains from their burial site. This can be requested for various reasons:

In our country, funerals usually involve solemnity and quiet reflection, with grief and sadness taking centre stage. However, certain cultures approach death from a completely different angle, viewing it as an opportunity to celebrate life.

Cremation is becoming an increasingly common option following the passing of a loved one, yet not all families know exactly how this process works or what the requirements for cremation are. At Stelae, we help you understand it clearly with this straightforward guide.

What are the requirements for cremation?

When choosing cremation, families need to complete certain steps beforehand to proceed with the process.

When a loved one dies, there are different types of graves for a family to consider. Today at Stelae, we talk to you about these options and their key differences.

What is a grave and what types are there?

Let's start by answering the most basic question about graves: what are they? Graves are the space or place where a deceased person is laid to rest after a funeral. 

Graves are common in almost all cultures, but can vary according to religious beliefs and rituals, among other factors.