Funeral service providers Ginga Stage, Seiren Corp to offer memorial spaceflights

Funeral service providers Ginga Stage, based in Osaka, and Seiren Corp, based in Yokohama, have announced a major international partnership with American company Celestis to offer memorial spaceflight services in Japan.

The partnership will open the door for Japanese citizens to honor their departed friends and family members with launches to Earth's orbit, the moon, deep space, and even other planets.

Among the new services offered is a flight that, after reaching space, returns the participant’s cremated remains to Earth as a flown keepsake. More ambitious options include launches to Earth's orbit, the lunar surface, or even deep space. With each service, friends and family members are invited to experience the rocket launch in person for an unforgettable experience.

“We are very proud to offer this incredible memorial opportunity in Japan,” said Takuma Shinnyo, of Seiren Corporation. “For anyone searching for the perfect way to celebrate the space, science, or fantasy enthusiast in their life, Seiren, Celestis and Ginga Stage have the answer.”

Ten members of the Ginga Stage board of directors have already reserved their future memorial flights to the final frontier. “Humanity’s future in space is a certainty,” said Charles Chafer, Co-founder and CEO of Celestis. “As we strive to become a multi-planet species, it is appropriate that we bring our rituals, celebrations, and memorials with us. Ginga Stage and Seiren Corporation exemplify that belief and we are honored to partner with them.”

The team’s next spaceflight is scheduled for autumn, although new opportunities are announced regularly. For the most adventurous participants, a deep space flight on board the revolutionary Sunjammer solar sail is currently scheduled for 2017. Sunjammer, which will carry the cremated remains of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and famous science fiction writer Arthur C Clarke, will navigate space propelled only by the light of the sun, a propellantless method that could replace rockets on future interstellar voyages.

Ginga Stage, Seiren Corp and Celestis also offer a variety of other memorial and spaceflight services. Earlier this month, Celestis introduced Celestis Pets, a service launching animal cremated remains and DNA on board select spaceflights. Memorial capsules contain only inert material and meet all containment and safety standards to prevent inadvertent contamination of the space environment.

© Japan Today