Abstract:
A structure for connecting cremation ashes with living plants comprising a plant and at least one from the group consisting of cremated remains in a cavity of the plant and a link located in a cavity of the plant, the link connecting with the cremated remains. The structure may further comprise a vessel for holding the cremated remains and a memorial structure connected to the link. The structure is meant to create a living memorial for the deceased.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to structures and methods used for preserving and memorializing the remains of humans and animals. In particular, the present invention is directed to providing a crematory urn assembly that connects ash remains with a living plant. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The popularity of cremation is growing within modern society as an alternative to preserving bodies and burying them in coffins. Cremation is also becoming a popular method of dealing with pet remains. Cremation is usually less expensive and more ecological than burial. It also offers living individuals an opportunity to keep some of the deceased&#39;s ashes close to them. Often a memorial is created at the location of the cremated remains to commemorate the deceased&#39;s life and provide a focal point to connect with the deceased&#39;s spirit. 
         [0003]    In death, many individuals wish to continue a connection or link to the living world. This connection may be spiritual between the deceased and their relatives or the connection may take a more physical form such as between the deceased&#39;s remains and nature. For example, the deceased may wish to have their remains incorporated into a living tree. U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,488 to Truong and U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,501 to Vázquez-Pérez both propose mixing ashes with soil and planting a tree that will grow from the mixture. A plaque may be attached to the tree to identify specific remains with a specific tree. In a similar approach, U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,897 to Longstreth provides for a planter having a vault for holding cremation remains. The plant grows near the ashes, but the plant is not integrally linked to the ashes. 
         [0004]    The above mentioned options offer some degree of integration between a particular deceased&#39;s ashes and a particular living tree or plant. These options, however, do not address other possibilities for connecting with a plant such as entombment of the remains within the plant, multiple connections of multiple individual&#39;s remains with a single plant, or temporary links to a plant allowing for future movement of the ashes. Furthermore prior art options do not provide for both the integration of the ash remains with a plant and an additional connection for a loved one to connect with the ashes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    One aspect of the present invention is directed to a structure for connecting cremated remains to a living plant comprising a plant and at least one from the group consisting of cremated remains in a cavity and a link located in a cavity, the link connects with the cremated remains. 
         [0006]    Another aspect is directed to a structure for connecting cremated remains to a living plant comprising a vessel for holding cremated remains and a cavity cut within the plant, the vessel at least partially contained within the cavity. 
         [0007]    Another aspect is directed to a structure for connecting cremated remains to a living plant comprising a vessel containing cremated remains and a link with first and second ends. The first end of the link is in contact with the remains and the second end of the link is for placement in a cavity cut within the plant. 
         [0008]    Yet another aspect is directed to a method of connecting cremated remains to a living plant comprising forming a cavity in a living plant and at least one from the group consisting of placing cremated remains in the cavity and providing a link connecting the cremated remains with the cavity. 
         [0009]    Still another aspect is directed to a method of connecting cremated remains to a living plant comprising providing a vessel containing the remains; creating a cavity within a portion of the plant; placing the vessel within the cavity; and allowing the plant to grow around the vessel. 
         [0010]    Still yet another aspect is directed to a method of connecting cremated remains to a living plant comprising providing a vessel containing the remains, the vessel including a link with first and second ends, the first end in contact with the remains and the second end extending outward from the vessel; creating a cavity within a portion of the plant; placing the second end within the opening; and allowing the plant to grow around the second end to create a connection between the plant and the remains. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1   a  is a sectional view of a structure for connecting cremation ashes with a living plant according to the present invention illustrating placement of a vessel containing crematory remains within a hole drilled in a tree; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   b  is a sectional view of the structure in  FIG. 1   a  after several years have passed and the tree has entombed the vessel containing crematory remains; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2   a  is a sectional view of a porous vessel containing ashes that has been placed within a hole drilled in a tree; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2   b  is a sectional view of the structure in  FIG. 2   a  after several years have passed, the tree has entombed the vessel and a portion of the ashes have been assimilated into the tree; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3   a  is a sectional view of a biodegradable vessel containing ashes that has been placed within a hole drilled in a tree; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3   b  is a sectional view of the structure in  FIG. 3   a  after several years have passed, the tree has entombed the remains, the vessel has degraded, and a portion of the ashes have been assimilated into the tree; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4   a  is a sectional view of a vessel for holding cremated remains according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4   b  is a sectional view of a vessel for holding cremated remains according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4   c  is a sectional view of a vessel for holding cremated remains according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   a  is a sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention in which the vessel with crematory ashes includes a link, the vessel placed within a hole drilled in a tree; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   b  is a sectional view of the structure in  FIG. 5   a  after several years have passed, the tree has entombed the remains and the link extends between the ashes and a memorializing plaque; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6   a  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the link passing throughout the length of the vessel containing remains and the link extending outward from the tree to provide a portion of the link for touching by a loved one; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6   b  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the link being a telescoping connection to the memorial structure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7   a  is a side elevation view of a cactus connected with cremated remains; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7   b  is a sectional view of a vessel containing remains connected to a cactus; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of a family burial tree containing multiple apparatus for connecting multiple remains within one tree; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9   a  is a sectional view of a memorializing vessel according to the present invention attached to the outside of a tree and having a tube linking ashes from within the vessel to a cavity created within the tree; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9   b  is a side elevation view of the memorializing vessel in  FIG. 9   a;    
           [0030]      FIG. 10   a  is a sectional view of a structure according to the present invention illustrating a cord linking the ashes contained within a vessel to two recessed cavities within a tree; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10   b  is a sectional view of a structure according to the present invention illustrating a bag and link arrangement to connect ashes from a vessel to the tree; 
           [0032]      FIG. 11   a  is a side perspective view illustrating grafting a cord to a house plant, the cord linked to ashes in an urn; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11   b  is a side perspective view illustrating grafting a cord to a tree, the cord linked to ashes in a memorializing vessel; 
           [0034]      FIG. 12   a  is a side elevation view of a memorializing vessel designed as a cross; 
           [0035]      FIG. 12   b  is a side elevation view of a memorial structure designed in the shape of the Star of David; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12   c  is a plan view of a disc shaped memorializing pendant that is attached to a cord; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 12   d  is a plan view of a memorializing plaque that may be attached to a cord. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0038]    The present invention provides for a structure and method of connecting cremation remains with living plants. Although most of the embodiments are illustrated as occurring between cremation remains and a living tree, it is understood that other plants could be substituted for the tree and achieve the same results. The plant could be any plant including, but not limited to a tree, a cactus, a vine or a houseplant. 
         [0039]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , a vessel  20  (a.k.a., urn) is prepared containing cremation remains  22  (a.k.a., cremation ashes). The cremation remains may be that of a human or a pet. Preparation of remains  22  in vessel  20  may occur at the crematorium or one may fill and prepare the vessel from ash remains they already have in their possession. The size, form and composition of vessel  20  are selected based on the size and type of living plant  24  to which remains  22  will be connected. In this particular embodiment, plant  24  is a tree  24   a . Tree  24   a  may be a tree for which the deceased had a particular attachment to during life and that grows near their home or it may be a tree that is growing in a particular cemetery for the purpose of acting as a living memorial. A cavity  26  is created in a portion of tree  24   a  as shown in  FIG. 1   a . Cavity  26  may be created by drilling, cutting, sawing or any other means for creating an appropriately shaped cavity in a portion of tree  24   a . Cavity  26  goes through bark  28  and into growth rings  30 . Vessel  20  containing remains  22  is placed within cavity  26 . Over time as shown in  FIG. 1   b , tree  24   a  grows outward and around the exposed end of vessel  20  entombing the remains. Remains  22  are surrounded by growth rings  30  and connected to tree  24   a  through vessel  22 . 
         [0040]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b , cremation remains  22  may be more integrally connected with living plant  24  by allowing some of the remains to pass through the walls of vessel  20  and into the plant. In this embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2   a , vessel  20  is a porous vessel with pores  32 . Vessel  20  contains cremated remains  22 . A cavity  26  is created in plant  24  or tree  24   a  and vessel  20  is placed within the cavity. Over time as shown in  FIG. 2   b , tree  24   a  grows around vessel  20 . Fluids or sap from within tree  24   a  pass through pores  32  of vessel  20  and mixes with remains  22 . Remains  22  diffuse into the sap and are transported from vessel  20  throughout tree  24   a . This creates an integral connection between remains  22  and tree  24   a  by allowing some of the remains to be assimilated into the tree as it grows. 
         [0041]    Another embodiment of the present invention that allows for remains  22  to be assimilated into tree  24   a  as it grows is illustrated in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . Here vessel  20  is a biodegradable vessel. As shown in  FIG. 3   a , vessel  20  containing cremated remains  22  is placed in cavity  26  created within tree  24   a . Over time as shown in  FIG. 3   b , tree  24   a  grows around vessel  20 . Fluids or sap from within tree  24   a  come in contact with vessel  20 , breaking it down into a mixture of remains  22  and degrade vessel  34 . Vessel  20  may be fabricated from any number of biodegradable materials including but not limited to sugars, starches, wood dust held together by water soluble glue or other suitable biodegradable material. Remains  22  then diffuse into the sap and are transported throughout tree  24   a.    
         [0042]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  illustrate several types of vessels  20  that may be used for placement of cremated remains  22  within a cavity created within a plant  24 .  FIG. 4   a  shows a vessel  20  that comprises a containment element  36  and a cap  38 . After containment element  36  is filled with cremated remains  22 , cap  38  is used to seal in the remains. The seal between containment element  36  and cap  38  may be made by screwing, pressing fitting, gluing or any other sealing technique. Vessel  20  may be fabricated from wood, plastic, metal, ceramic, organics, composites or other suitable materials. The materials may be porous or biodegradable.  FIG. 4   b  shows a vessel  20  that includes a single containment element  36  that is formed around remains  22 . Similarly, vessel  20  may be fabricated from a single containment element have an opening that is then sealed upon itself. Containment element  36  of vessel  20  may be only partially filled with remains  22 .  FIG. 4   c  shows a vessel  20  that is a composite structure  40  including remains  22 . In structure  40 , remains  22  may be mixed or layered with another material to create vessel  22 . For example, maple sugar might be mixed with remains  22  to form a solid vessel  20  or plug that fits within a cavity of a maple tree. This vessel would be biodegradable and absorbed into the tree. The shape of vessels  20  have been shown primarily as cylinders. This shape easily fits within a hole drilled in a plant or tree. However, it is understood that any appropriately sized and shaped vessel that can fit within the cavity created is acceptable. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate the addition of a link  42  to the structure for connecting cremated remains  22  with living plant  24 , here a tree  24   a . Link  42  offers an additional way of connecting to remains  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5   a , vessel  20  containing cremated remains  22  is placed in cavity  26  created within tree  24   a . Link  42  has a first end  42   a  and second end  42   b . First end  42   a  is in contact with cremated remains  22 . Link  42  may extend from vessel  20  or from within the vessel itself. Second end  42   b  extends outward from tree  24   a  through cavity  26 . A sealant  43  may be applied to fill a portion of cavity  26 , or around link  42 , to seal out moisture or insects from getting into the cavity. Sealant  43  may be chosen from the group of materials including, but not limited to a caulking compound, putty, wax, PLASTIC WOOD® or tar based compounds. Although first shown in this embodiment, sealant  43  may be used in any of the embodiments of to the present invention. Over time as shown in  FIG. 5   b , tree  24   a  grows around vessel  20  and around link  42 . Link  42  may be a flexible cord, a rope, a wire or other material. At any time, link  42  extending from tree  24   a  may be touched by a love one to connect physically and spiritually with the deceased&#39;s ashes. 
         [0044]    In alternative embodiment, vessel  20  containing cremated remains  22  could be inserted into cavity  26  so that link  42  fits within the cavity and makes a direct connection with tree  24   a . Vessel  20  could also have a link  42  that passes through both ends of the vessel so that the link may contact tree  24   a  at one end and simultaneously have the other end of the link extend outward from the tree for human contact. 
         [0045]    Additionally, one may wish to provide a memorial structure  44  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . Memorial structure  44  may be a plaque, photo or other appropriate structure for commemorating the life of the deceased. Memorial structure  44  may be attached to the link&#39;s second end  42   b  extending from tree  24   a . Memorial structure  44  may be attached to tree  24   a  by a screw  46  or other fastener. Sufficient length should be provided for link  42  so that as tree  24   a  grows the connection with memorial structure  44  is kept intact. The overall structure provides for a connection through link  42  between remains  22  and memorial structure  44 . A connection is also made between remains  22  and tree  24   a  via vessel  20  and link  42 . Any of the vessels  20  previously described may be integrated with link  42 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  illustrate two other embodiments for a memorial structure  44  attached to a link  42  that connects with cremated remains  22 .  FIG. 6   a  shows a pendant  44   a  for memorializing the deceased freely hanging from link  42 .  FIG. 6   b  shows a telescoping link  42   c  with a memorial plaque  44   b  attached to the link. This structure also allows for keeping an intact connection between cremated remains  22  and memorial structure  44  as tree  24   a  grows outward. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  illustrate yet another embodiment where vessel  20  containing cremated remains  22  is placed partially within cavity  26  cut within plant  24 . Here plant  24  is a cactus  24   b . Vessel  20  is linked directly to a memorial structure  42 . Cactus  24   b  may not totally entomb vessel  20 , but rather seal around it. This type of connecting structure works well for a saguaro cactus and other similar plants, plants where the diameter does not grow rapidly relative to its height. Vessel  20  could be a non-biodegradable, biodegradable or porous vessel. Sealant may also be used at the opening of the cavity to protect against bugs, microbes and moisture. 
         [0048]      FIG. 8  illustrates the structure of a family burial tree. It is possible to connect ash remains from several deceased humans or pets to one living plant. Such a structure is an important in perpetuating the concept of family after death. Tree  24   a  may reside in ones back yard or in a cemetery specifically designed for creating a connection between multiple deceased individuals and living plants. As each pet or person is cremated, a portion of their ashes may be placed within a cavity created within tree  24   a . Connected to the remains and exiting from tree  24   a  is a link  42  with a memorial structure  44  identifying each individual&#39;s remains. Since many trees may live for hundreds of years, it is possible to combine many generations into one living tree. If for some reason the tree dies, or one is forced to move, that portion of the tree containing the remains may be cut down and turned into a memorial that can be kept in ones home and moved as needed. The cut portion of the tree may be turned into a piece of furniture or sculpture with the remains intact. 
         [0049]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , vessel  20  containing cremated remains  22  may reside outside the plant  24  or tree  24   a  and a connection made between the vessel and tree. In this particular embodiment of the present invention vessel  20  (a.k.a., urn) takes the form of a cross  20   a . In essence, vessel  20  becomes the memorial structure  44 . Vessel  20  comprises a containment element  36  and a cap  38 . Vessel  20  may be fabricated from wood, metal, ceramic, organics, composites or other suitable materials. Cremated remains  22  are placed within containment element  36  and sealed with cap  38 . Near the base of vessel  20 , the vessel further comprises a tube  48 , functioning as a link, to fit within a cavity  26  cut within tree  24   a . Vessel  20  is attached to tree  24   a  by a screw  46  or other fastener. As time passes, living tree  24   a  grows around tube  48 . Cremated remains  22  connect with tree  24   a  through tube  48 . Some portion of remains  22  may be assimilated into tree  24   a.    
         [0050]      FIGS. 10   a  and  10   b  illustrate two additional embodiments for housing cremated remains  22  outside living plant  24  and making a connection to the plant. As shown in  FIG. 10   a , vessel  20  has two tubes  48 , functioning as two links, that are placed within two cavities  26  cut within a tree  24   a . Vessel  20  may have an additional means for attachment to tree  24  or the two tubes  50  may fit snuggly in cavities  26  to hold the vessel to the tree. Cavities  26  may also be sealed with a sealant. Cremated remains  22  are housed within containment element  36  and protected from the environment by cap  38 . Cremated remains  22  are placed within a bag  50  that has seals  52 . A second link  42 , which may be a flexible cord, rope or wire, passes through remains  22 , through seals  52 , through tubes  48  and into cavities  26  to make contact with tree  24   a . In a different variation  FIG. 10   b  shows vessel  20  with a single tube  48  near its top. Cremated remains  22  are housed within containment element  36  and protected from the environment by cap  38 . Cremated remain  20  are placed within a bag that has a tied seal  52 . Link  42  in contact with remains  22  passes through seal  52  and connects with tree  24   a  in cavity  26 . 
         [0051]    Grafting may also be used as a way of connecting cremation remains with a living plant according to the present invention. Instead of grafting a portion of another plant to the living plant on wishes to graft to, a link connecting with the cremated remains is grafted to the living plant.  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  illustrate two structures according to this embodiment.  FIG. 11   a  shows a house plant  24   c , such as ivy, growing in a pot  54  on a table  56  within a home. A vessel  20  (a.k.a., urn) is placed beside plant  24   c  on table  56 . Vessel  20  contains cremated remains  22 . A link  42  in contact with remains  22  connects between the remains and plant  24   c . Link  42  is placed within a cavity  26  cut with living plant  24   c . Over time, cavity  26  seals and grows around link  42  to create a connection between cremated remains  22  and plant  24   c . Similarly,  FIG. 11   b  shows grafting of a link  42  to a young tree  24   a . A cut is made to create cavity  26  within tree  24   a . Link  42  is placed within cavity  26 . Cavity  26  is closed and grafting tape  58  used to seal the cavity. An additional sealant or wax may also be used. Over time, tree  24   a  will grow around link  42 . Link  42  extends into a vessel  20  that contains cremated remains  22 . Vessel  20  may take the form of a memorializing structure and be held in place by a stake  60  attached to the vessel that is pushed into the ground. As tree  24   a  grows to be large enough, vessel  20  may be attached directly to the tree. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 12   a - d  show several examples of memorializing structures that may be used to locate or store remains that connect to a plant.  FIG. 12   a  illustrates a vessel  20   a  that both stores cremated remains and memorializes the deceased&#39;s Christian faith.  FIG. 12   b  illustrates a memorializing plaque structure  44   c  that symbolizes the deceased&#39;s Jewish faith.  FIG. 12   c  illustrates a pendant  44   a  that may be attached to a link locating the remains of a cat&#39;s cremated remains entombed within a tree.  FIG. 12   d  illustrates a design for a plaque  44   b  that may be hung on a tree locating and memorializing a deceased&#39;s remains. 
         [0053]    The embodiments of the current invention that do not entomb the cremated remains within a plant offer another advantageous feature not provided by the prior art in that the link between the living plant and remains can be severed and the remains moved to link with a new plant. This feature is nice in that it allows for a loved one to take ashes with them if they move and create a new link to a living plant for the deceased&#39;s remains. For example in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b  the grafted link would be cut near the plant and may be re-grafted to a new plant. 
         [0054]    Throughout the present invention cremated remains have been connected with the living plant. In an alternative embodiment, it is possible that a keepsake of the deceased&#39;s or a piece of the deceased&#39;s body such as hair could be placed with a vessel. A connection with the keepsake or other artifact from the deceased can be made in a similar manner with the living plant. 
         [0055]    Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.