FinalFlight is a new service that offers families the chance to scatter a loved one's ashes in the upper atmosphere, about one third the way to space. This unique service does not just scatter the ashes over Australia, but like all dust in the upper atmosphere, much of the ash will circle the earth many times before returning to earth often as the heart of a rain drop or snow flake.

FinalFlight is dedicated to all those who loved the skies, the earth, the oceans and are no longer with us. Together with FinalFlight you can give them one last send-off that will fly as high as the stratosphere and spread their ashes, literally, around the world. This is a remarkable way to mark a life well spent.

FinalFlight honours the dreams and memories of your loved one by lifting their ashes close to the edge of space in what is essentially a dedicated high quality science balloon. At the time of dispersal it is likely that they will be the highest object in the world.

Once the science balloon reaches its highest point, the ashes are released into the atmosphere where they will rise and fall on the strong winds that circle the earth. It may be many months before the last ashes reach the earth, often forming the heart of a rain drop or snow flake. Over the period of a month or so, the ashes may circle the globe several times, slowly settling across the planet.

As they settle, they will touch every type of landscape and ocean. They may come to rest on mountains, wilderness, deserts, lakes and oceans. In some small way, the ashes are likely to be absorbed into the new life that springs eternal in the open landscapes across the planet.

The team at FinalFlight will take charge of all elements of the regulatory, administrative, aeronautical and technical matters. We will host you and your party at the launch site, some distance from Sydney and ensure all worry is removed for this most important occasion.

We can even equip the flight with cameras and tracking systems. When the cameras parachute back to earth, we recover the video and include it in the video presentation to family.

This unique service is available in only a few countries around the world and our team has some of the world's best High Altitude Balloon specialists with projects both inside and outside of Australia.

During the progress of the FinalFlight, everything is conducted with great respect. If you would like to have a celebrant speak or religious 'service' this is quite okay. We may be able to help arrange a suitable celebrant. Usually, the mood at a FinalFlight event is positive and respectful with most participants in a happy but reflective mood.

We work with the Australian Civil Aviation Authority to ensure every flight is planned and Notices given to Airmen (NOTAMS) by Air Services Australia. . Pilots are aware of every flight we plan and our launch sites are kept well away from major aircraft trunk routes. Yes, there is a lot of planning and paperwork, but we look after this completely.

Marine life is not at risk from FinalFlight? The balloons are filled with the right volume of gas to ensure that they burst while still over land. It is at this point that the ashes are released to the stratosphere and begin their final journey around the world. The balloon remnants never make it to the ocean and disintegrate on land.

The ashes are considered sterile by health authorities and by themselves are considered not to have any inherent health risk. The dispersal in the upper atmosphere has had no formal testing, but the amount of dust in the atmosphere is huge in proportion to the very small amount of dust in the air.

The dust from one active volcano is huge by a factor of many, many billions of times. The effect of dispersal is insignificant in the scheme of things. The dust settling on earth from meteorites each day dwarfs any possible effects of a FinalFlight.