Two Kent crematoriums are offering loved-ones the chance to send their deceased relatives’ ashes close to the end of earth’s atmosphere.

Barham Crematorium, near Canterbury, and Charing Crematorium, near Ashford, have added the “out of this world” option to their list of services.

It means for £2,950 ashes can be placed in a 'scatter vessel', which is fitted to a ‘space-capable’ biodegradable balloon filled with hydrogen.

Once 100,000 feet up, the ashes are released in “a gentle cascade” according to Westerleigh Group, which runs both crematoriums.

“From here, they spend the next 3–6 months travelling around the globe, spreading out across the entire planet,” its website says.

“Ultimately, they re-enter the troposphere, where they seed the formation of clouds and fall back to Earth as raindrops and snowflakes all over the world.”

Westerleigh, which has teamed up with Aura Flights, is rolling out the scheme across various crematoriums which it runs in the UK.

And the firm says each ascent and release is captured on video to create a “treasured memorial film of the event”.

Matthew Brook, from Westerleigh, said: "We pride ourselves on supporting families in creating uniquely personal, bespoke memorials for their loved ones.

"We are always looking to expand the range of memorial options available to the bereaved in order to give them the widest possible choice.

"Aura Flights offer something that is truly out of this world.

“And like Westerleigh Group, they take their responsibility for being as kind as possible to the environment as seriously as we do.

"For centuries, man has looked up at the stars and dreamed of going into space; while few of us ever get to do this during our lifetimes, there is now the option to travel into space for your final journey.

"Within days of the ashes being scattered, families will receive a personalised memorial video showing their loved one's final journey among the stars."

According to Nasa, the point where spacecraft and astronauts are considered to have entered space, known as the Von Karman Line, is 62 miles (328,084ft) above sea level.

Samantha Richardson, general manager of Aura Flights, added: "We're delighted to be partnering with Westerleigh Group to attract an even bigger audience.

"From the moment we started talking about a collaboration, they saw how special a space scattering can be and their focus is always on supporting the bereaved throughout their journey, which I really admire.”