Aura Flights

03/06/2026

At Aura Flights, we’re extremely proud of the customer care we provide to our passengers’ loved ones, so receiving heartfelt reviews – like this one make – makes going above and beyond especially rewarding:

"I can't thank everyone enough. The care and updates to my family and my sons ashes. Letting me know what to expect with the launch and quick notifications about the flight. The sensational aftercare from Elle and the team with my little ammendments to the to his video that were done very quickly. It really was a beautiful outcome and I really can't thank or praise everyone highly enough. It was an amazing experience all round and one I think my son would love to know that he is part of. I would recommend this service to everyone." - Ed

27/05/2026

For those new to the concept of remembrance, be sure to check out our All About Ashes article for helpful insights into cremation, ash scattering and our unique space memorial service:

What are cremated ashes?Whilst we typically refer to the dusty grey matter resulting from cremation as ashes, ashes actually consist of pulverised bone fragments. The cremation process itself, whereby a body is placed in a cremation chamber and exposed to temperatures between 800 and 1000℃, destro...

14/05/2026

Father and son reunited in the heavens

To celebrate Derek Walley and Jonathan Manford-Walley’s shared passion for aviation, we launched them into the arms of the stratospheric winds for one final flight together.

Derek displayed a keen interest in all things aviation throughout his childhood, culminating in him joining the Royal Air Force Air Cadets and undertaking training to obtain a pilot’s licence. Derek and his wife Karen went on to become proud parents of sons Alexander, Jonathan and Stefan, and although the marriage sadly didn’t last, Derek found love again with fiancé Nhida before passing away at the age of 61.

Derek’s son Jonathan developed a deep passion for music as he grew up and became a talented guitarist and singer. His interests also extended to aviation, and he was simultaneously studying for an aerospace engineering degree and training to be a pilot. Jonathan’s life was tragically cut short at the age of 23, prompting the University of Central Lancashire to grant him a posthumous first-class honours degree and establish the Jonathan Manford-Walley Student Award.

Karen explained the impetus behind the space scattering and the experience of watching the launch video: “We were searching online for a suitable tribute that would honour Derek and Jonathan’s shared passion for flying, and Aura Flights offered exactly the service we were looking for. Watching the launch was an incredibly emotional moment for us and one that helped reinforce the decision we’d made to scatter Derek and Jonathan’s ashes in space.

"The Aura Flights team was exceptionally supportive during this traumatic and difficult time, and the empathy shown to the family throughout the process was amazing. They are dearly missed, and our only comfort is that Derek and his beloved son – our Jonathan – will now be together forever.”

06/05/2026

The thought of discussing end-of-life plans can trigger a plethora of emotions, but having a concrete plan in place can often be of great comfort during such an uncertain time.

This article provides some handy advice to bear in mind when informing loved ones of your wishes, helping to make the process feel a whole lot less daunting.

Visit our website to read the full article:

Don't leave your family guessing. Read our helpful guide to starting a conversation with your family and loved ones about your end-of-life plans.

04/05/2026

Each year, Dying Matters Awareness Week – led by Hospice UK -encourages people across the country to engage in conversations about death in whatever way feels right for them.

Although speaking about life's final chapter can often be hard, this year’s theme "Let’s Talk About Death and Dying" is a powerful reminder that it shouldn’t be taboo or something to be embarrassed of.

By coming together to share our perspectives, we can help break down the stigma surrounding death and build a more open and compassionate culture … one conversation at a time.

16/04/2026

Be sure to check out the latest episode of the Good Goodbyes podcast to hear our very own Samantha Richardson discussing how Aura Flights has scattered hundreds of passengers' ashes in space, enabling them to embark on a beautiful final journey in the arms of the stratospheric winds.

The podcast is available on the following links:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5WZembwlTxJUC5TmtXOaJ6?si=5678c080de46496b

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/84-a-chat-with-samantha-from-aura-flights-ashes-in-space/id1761532106?i=1000761728394

12/04/2026

Today marks the UN’s International Day of Human Space Flight, an annual designation that pays tribute to mankind’s first ever journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

This year’s event in particular is an incredibly special one, as it comes hot on the heels of the Artemis II craft propelling humans further into space than ever before.

The incredible amount of public and media interest surrounding this latest NASA mission has really brought into focus just how evocative manned space flight continues to be – even 65 years on from Yuri Gagarin’s maiden voyage.

Check out the event website to discover the history behind mankind’s quest for the stars and learn how the UN is hoping to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and astronauts: www.un.org/en/observances/human-spaceflight-day

20/03/2026

Today marks the beginning of astronomical springtime in the northern hemisphere, otherwise known as the spring equinox.

With the Earth’s axial tilt now at 0°, things can only get better from here on out – meaning longer days and shorter nights!

So join us in saying goodbye and good riddance to cold weather as we look forward to brighter and warmer days to come.

12/03/2026

Have you ever wondered how we do what we do?

Find out about the science behind our high-altitude flights and take a glimpse into the engineering required to make space scattering memorials possible:

What is space? How do we send ashes into space? And what happens to ashes scattered in space? Find answers to all of these questions and more.

09/03/2026

More people are exploring new ways to celebrate life and say goodbye to loved ones, and space is becoming one of those possibilities.

We've been featured in the Daily Mail discussing how some Brits are looking beyond traditional burials and cremations, with memorial spaceflights offering a truly unique final journey.

Read the article here:

Today, more and more people are ditching the traditional funeral options in favour of more modern, eco-friendly techniques.