We Care About People, Places and the Planet
A wedding, a birthday party, wishing bon voyage to someone. Helium, or lighter-than-air, balloons have hovered, drifted and soared through the lives of most of us.
What is also rising is the realisation of what happens to these balloons after they have vanished from sight when released into the air.
Across Sydney Waterways and Regional NSW
There is a rising trend in Australia and overseas to ban the intentional release of these balloons, due to the increased incidents of real damage to the environment, particularly wildlife on land and in the sea. More people – more balloons.
A burst balloon in the ocean can look like a jellyfish, leading to animals such as turtles, who prey on them, regularly being found with the plastic in their stomachs, and even choking to death. Many seabirds will also ingest balloons, contributing to the majority of plastic related deaths.
As many states and countries now consider balloon releases as littering, bans are in place to make releases illegal. While most states in Australia have total bans already in place, NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) currently bans the release of 20 or more balloons, with severe penalties for violations. Total bans will be in place in 2026.
Eco-Friendly Choices
But all is not lost. At Something Beautiful Remains, we offer other ways of having that final send-off for your loved one, such as;
- Dove or butterfly releases – these are almost a direct alternative to balloons, only now you are releasing a living entity to the sky as a symbol of letting go and sending
- your loved one on their way.
- Bubbles – especially for younger family members who can carry a joyous memory following the loss of a beloved elder.
- Lighting candles – after the service or at home. A simple tribute that can be repeated on anniversaries or other special occasions.
- Planting Flowers or Trees – placing your Mothers ashes under a rose bush in the home garden, or planting a memorial Wollemi pine at Pipers Ridge Sanctuary near Lithgow
- A Special Song – gather with family and friends after the service and join in voice and loving memory.
- A ceremony to release ashes in a hand-carved sand and gelatin urn from a beach, broken down and taken to the sea on the tide.
If you like these alternatives, or you have your own idea, contact us and we can talk through making the final memory of the funeral day into one that is truly unique.
