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The science behind our soil blend
Living Memorial soil blend is safe and very easy to use, whether it is for human or pet cremated remains. It is a similar consistency to normal top soil.
'Living Memorial soil blend promotes biodiversity at all levels of an eco-system. Maintaining this cycle of life is crucial for our planet and all its inhabitants.'
- Professor David O. Carter, our lead scientist
Why can’t I just use normal soil or compost from my garden centre and mix it with cremated remains?
The two main problems that prevent plants from flourishing when in contact with cremation ashes are the high pH and the high Sodium content. Normal soil or compost can do nothing to solve that problem – but Living Memorial soil blend is specifically formulated – and scientifically proven - to balance the pH and reduce the effect of the Sodium.
As the cremated remains are broken down more of the beneficial nutrients locked inside are released allowing the growing plant to flourish.
As the cremated remains are broken down more of the beneficial nutrients locked inside are released allowing the growing plant to flourish.

Scientists in the US spent years researching the negative impact of cremated remains on plant life and the environment. This is a brief summary of their findings.
Cremated remains are high in sodium, calcium, and potassium, all of which form positively charged ions when dissolved in water. When they are introduced to your soil these ions bind to negatively charged binding sites on plant roots.
These binding sites are used by plants for the take-up of nutrients, but the high levels of sodium and calcium ions prevent this. The plant then becomes deficient in essential nutrients which impairs growth.
The presence of a high concentration of sodium ions also reverses the normal direction of osmosis, causing the plants to lose water into the soil rather than taking it up.
The cremated remains also change the pH of the soil, making it much more alkaline than normal.
These binding sites are used by plants for the take-up of nutrients, but the high levels of sodium and calcium ions prevent this. The plant then becomes deficient in essential nutrients which impairs growth.
The presence of a high concentration of sodium ions also reverses the normal direction of osmosis, causing the plants to lose water into the soil rather than taking it up.
The cremated remains also change the pH of the soil, making it much more alkaline than normal.
These three conditions cause plant roots to actively avoid soil containing cremated remains. Where they can’t, such as when planted in a pot, the plant will be unable to grow normally and will struggle to grow or will die.
Our Living Memorial soil blend is specially formulated to restore the natural soil pH and neutralise the high concentration of sodium and calcium ions. It also slowly breaks down the cremated remains to release their beneficial nutrients, which helps plants and microbes to grow and thrive. In the UK we build on the learning from the US to reflect our own climatic conditions.
Our Living Memorial soil blend is specially formulated to restore the natural soil pH and neutralise the high concentration of sodium and calcium ions. It also slowly breaks down the cremated remains to release their beneficial nutrients, which helps plants and microbes to grow and thrive. In the UK we build on the learning from the US to reflect our own climatic conditions.