Faith

‘Holy Smoke’ Allows You to Load Your Relatives’ Ashes Into Shotgun Shells & Cartridges

Holy Smokes Lets You Load Your Relatives Ashes in Shells & Cartridges

No, folks, this isn’t an Onion headline. Two Alabama conservation enforcement officers have seized upon America’s entrepreneurial spirit to launch Holy Smoke LLC. And unlike traditional religious burials, these guys are adding yet another remembrance alternative into the mix.

A service for hunters and gun enthusiasts, alike, the company will load the cremated ashes of lost loved ones into shotgun shells (oh, and rifle and pistol cartridges as well). Yes, you read that correctly. They will very literally fill shells and cartridges with the remains of perished family members and friends — if you so choose.

Of course, there’s a cost (this is a business after all) for Holy Smoke to memorialize your lost loved ones in this intriguing manner. Here’s how it works: After someone passes away, he or she is cremated. Then, the remains are sent to Holy Smokes.

Once they reach the company, they are loaded into the ammunition and anything that’s left over is simply sent back to the customers with the filled cartridges and shells. Apparently, the entire process only takes about 48 hours from the time of receiving the ashes.

The company’s founders, Thad Holmes and Clem Parnell, believe that this is the perfect way to commemorate a hunter and/or outdoorsman’s life. Parnell explains:

“This isn’t a joke. It’s a job that we take very seriously. This is a reverent business. We take the utmost care in what we do and show the greatest respect for the remains.”

According to Holmes, the company is very careful to employ individuals highly proficient and experienced in handling the remains:

“The people we use are all experienced reloaders and know exactly what we want them to do. Only one bag of ash will be opened at a time, and the equipment will be thoroughly cleaned before the next set of remains is loaded.”

If you’re wondering how the concept for the company came to be, look no further the Holy Smokes’ web site. Here’s a snippet of the back story:

Several years ago I was talking with my friend and co-worker at work one evening. We were discussing the passing of one of our relatives and the topic of conversation turned to our own demise and whether we preferred burial or cremation.  I told my friend that I had some cost, waste of space and ecological issues with burials and that I thought I wanted to be cremated and in some fashion, have my ashes tossed into a river or spread through the woods.

My friend  smiled and said “You know I’ve thought about this for some time and I want to be cremated. Then I want my ashes put into some turkey load shotgun shells and have someone that knows how to turkey hunt use the shotgun shells with my ashes to shoot a turkey. That way I will rest in peace knowing that the last thing that one turkey will see is me, screaming at him at about 900 feet per second.”

And here’s the pricing information:

Holy Smokes Lets You Load Your Relatives Ashes in Shells & Cartridges

While some people will likely find this practice completely bizarre, others will find solace in it. Regardless of one’s opinion, it‘s simply another way to celebrate someone’s life. Whether the bullets are used, though, is another question.

Toxicologist Robert Chapin warns that, should the ash-filled shells and cartridges be used to kill animals, hunters should try and kill the animal quickly. This will help to prevent the ashes from entering the animal’s bloodstream. Also, consuming the area around the bullet isn’t a good idea, Chapin says.

Who says Americans are running out of good business ideas?

(H/T: Jonathan Turley)

Comments (67)

1 2
  • Gary747
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:19pm

    With just a primer, powder, wadding, and ashes, this is actually a great way to disperse the departed. With a loud cloud fired downwind at a 45° up-angle, the pattern would finely scatter the ashes over a fairly wide area. That’s why they call them “Scatter Guns”. 850 rounds would make for a fun afternoon.

    Report Post » Gary747  
    • Ralph Wylie
      Posted on October 5, 2011 at 2:56pm

      Screw the puny shotshells! I am thinkin’ a nosecone ride in a Predator Drone for my last blast!
      One big boom and takin’ out the trash at he same time! Are ya with me?

      Report Post » Ralph Wylie  
  • Mopar 1969
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:08pm

    These rounds dirtier than Tula or Wolf?

    Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:03pm

    I loved to go hunting with my grandfather. He was 92 years old when he passed. In fact, he was only a shell of his former self.

    Report Post »  
  • Tom K
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:31pm

    We must salute Free Enterprise in America ! I know lots of folks that would like to go out with a big bang ! !

    Report Post »  
  • ThankBabyJesus
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:23pm

    Not my family’s style, but a good way to go out with a bang I guess hehe. Fireworks, lol wtf?

    Report Post » ThankBabyJesus  
  • freestaterev
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:08pm

    I’d like the ashes in .40, .223, and a several dozen 00 shot 12 gauge…I‘m going huntin’ with grandad again… sweet.

    Report Post » freestaterev  
  • DoughyInTheMiddle
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:03pm

    Now, if I can only find that blacksmith who would cast my ashes into the blade of a sword…

    Report Post » DoughyInTheMiddle  
  • Patriotalltheway
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 8:00pm

    I think I’ll take rifle lessons.

    Report Post » Patriotalltheway  
  • OlefromMN
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:54pm

    This is giving me a business idea!

    We have all heard of the “name a star” gimmick which lets you name some obscure star and you get a cheesy certificate. I don’t want to scam. Load ashes in a howitzer shell, donate it to avalanche prone areas that use howitzers to force controlled avalanches, and receive a video of your beloved sparking the power of nature!

    Report Post » OlefromMN  
  • Your Name Here
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:25pm

    This is a cool option, especially for a gun lover.
    When my brother died he wanted to be spread on the water where we alway went boating.
    He also loved Diet Coke so I bought a 2 Liter Diet Coke and a roll of Menthos mints.
    He also loved to watch Mythbusters. Add it all up.
    Well, we never got to the mints. As soon as his ashes hit the Diet Coke he shot out of the bottle.
    It’s not gross, it’s not disrespectful. We were always joking around.
    I guarantee that he would have loved it.
    I’d expect the same from my other brothers if I died.

    Report Post » Your Name Here  
  • OlefromMN
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:12pm

    I always thought I wanted to be buried. But this may be a way for me to get a 21 gun salute on the way out.

    Report Post » OlefromMN  
    • Faith1029
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:28pm

      I knew the comments on this site were going to be funny. I cannot stop laughing!!

      Report Post »  
  • Dudley Do-Right
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:08pm

    If we‘re going to shoot a turkey with Grandpa’s ashes then we ought to sprinkle Grandma’s ashes on the weber and cook that turkey! You’re all invited.

    Report Post »  
  • amartin5678
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:03pm

    My big brother passed away 2 years ago and as an advid hunter he would have loved the idea…as it happened his ashes were spread over his deer lease via wheelers….did I mention we are Native Texans…haha!

    Report Post »  
  • cloudsofwar
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:54pm

    i didn’t read the story only the headline. this is so disrespectful of the dead. respect your departed.

    Report Post »  
    • trolltrainer
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:05pm

      Why is it disrespectful? I would imagine that it would be done at the request of the deceased. Personally, I want to be cremated and my ashes scattered myself. I don’t particularly want to be fired out of a gun (probably numerous times, I wonder how much ash a 12 gauge load contains…) but then again, why not?

      Report Post »  
  • metal man
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:41pm

    That‘s the only way I’ll ever be able to break the sound barrier.

    Report Post » metal man  
  • MidWestMom
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:38pm

    I wonder if they sift them first? Have never seen ashes from cremation but I‘m told they aren’t all that fine and, not to be offensive, can have larger “bits” in them.

    If the loads are safe, I have no problem with it. But I don‘t think I’d hunt with them.

    Report Post »  
    • Heysuz
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 9:48pm

      I wouldn’t be surprised since bones remain after cremation and are usually ground up, and if I’m not mistaken, the majority of the remains are those ground bones.

      Report Post »  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:38pm

    cool….

    Report Post » Stoic one  
  • RareConservativeInWA
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:36pm

    Just don’t fire up wind. I wouldn’t want to smell that!

    Report Post »  
  • Banter
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:25pm

    Only in America! Yes libs, I said America, not ameriKa.

    Report Post » Banter  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:31pm

      Amerika, lol. The only thing wrong with it is the name “Holy” in the title.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:03pm

      well, they also wrote “bizmuth” instead of “bismuth”

      Report Post »  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:23pm

    If you’re into it, go for it. I am not so much.

    Report Post »  
    • motonutt
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:45pm

      Hey I’m all for coming up with new ideas and the freedom to market new ideas but….this is just dumb.
      For one thing if I have to use my weapon on an intruder, I don’t want granny in my amo, I prefer a 180 gr.HP 10mm. Seems to me like the ashes would just screw up your gun and do nothing but shoot powder on their sagging a**.

      Report Post » motonutt  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:22pm

    Can i get them loaded wih cremated pig carcass?

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:21pm

    Pull!

    Report Post »  
  • scrapman
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:18pm

    I like it heh-heh

    Report Post »  
  • sizzler2220
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:12pm

    I want the premium shells, loaded with left winged loons.

    Report Post »  
    • Banter
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:40pm

      Yea, can I got a box of double-aut jackson, and a box of double-aut sharpton?

      Report Post » Banter  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on October 3, 2011 at 7:54pm

      I can’t stop laughing,the comments are great. Is this a great country or what?

      Report Post »  
  • trolltrainer
    Posted on October 3, 2011 at 6:09pm

    Makes sense to me…

    But I load my own…

    Report Post »  
1 2

Sign In To Post Comments! Sign In

Sign Up For Our Newsletter!

Glenn Beck Radio

Listen to Glenn Beck 24/7 Listen Now
Restoring Love