Above-ground ash interment system
A device and a method for storing and memorializing biological remains are disclosed. The device comprises at least one elongated support member, and a plurality of containers, each container adapted to individually engage with said elongated support member while storing said biological remains, wherein upon said engagement, each container is securely engaged with said elongated support member to form an array of containers along said elongated support member.
1 . A device for storing and memorializing biological remains, consisting essentially of:
a single, central elongated support member comprising substantially a central portion and a lateral portion, wherein the lateral portion comprises two wing columns extending symmetrically outward from opposed elongated faces of the central portion, wherein each of said two wing columns comprises an attachment bracket adapted to engage with an external cladding panel; and
a plurality of containers, each container adapted to individually engage directly with said single, central elongated support member while storing said biological remains,
wherein said single, central elongated support member and each of the plurality of containers comprise complementary fasteners to directly engage each container with the single, central elongated support member,
wherein upon said direct engagement, each container is securely engaged with said single, central elongated support member to form an array of said containers along said single, central elongated support member.
2 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein each container is adapted to individually engage directly with or disengage from the single, central elongated support member without affecting the engagement of remaining containers in the array.
3 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the biological remains comprise cremated animal or human remains.
4 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said single, central elongated support member extends upward from a base.
5 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein said single, central elongated support member is adapted to engage with and support each container such that the weight of each container is supported solely by said single, central elongated support member.
6 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein each container comprises at least one hollow compartment with at least one orifice opening thereto, each container being sealable to securely carry and store the biological remains.
7 . A device according to claim 6 , wherein each container is sealable by a cap adapted to substantially isolate the biological remains from the outside environment.
8 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the array comprises said containers with at least two different volumes.
9 . A device according to claim 7 , wherein the two wing columns extend at an angle between 1 and 180 degrees with respect to each other.
10 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the single, central elongated support member and the containers are constructed at least partially from a weather-resistant metal.
11 . A device according to claim 1 , further comprising physical markers adapted to provide a user/viewer, or multiple users/viewers, with information concerning the device or each container and the biological remains stored therein.
12 . A device according to claim 11 , wherein each physical marker is electronically coded to provide said information from a data repository when decoded by the user/viewer.
13 . A device according to claim 1 , wherein the complementary fasteners comprise engagement fasteners comprising one or more hooks, bolts, screws, threaded members, magnets, pegs, or dowels; and wherein the complementary fasteners further comprise complementary engagement fasteners comprising one or more hooks, hooking loops, tapped threads, magnets, or dowel recesses.
14 . A method of storing and memorializing biological remains, consisting essentially of:
a. providing a single, central elongated support member adapted to receive and support a plurality of containers holding said biological remains, each of said plurality of containers comprising an engagement fastener, wherein said single, central elongated support member comprises:
i. a central portion and a lateral portion, wherein the lateral portion comprises two wing columns extending symmetrically outward from opposed elongated faces of the central portion, wherein each of said two wing columns comprises an attachment bracket adapted to engage with an external cladding panel; and
ii. a plurality of complementary engagement fasteners for directly engaging the engagement fastener of each container with the single, central elongated support member;
b. placing each said biological remains inside a respective container; and
c. placing each container into independent secure engagement with the single, central elongated support member by directly engaging the engagement fastener of each container with the respective complementary engagement fastener of the single, central elongated support member,
wherein upon said direct engagement, each container is securely engaged directly with said single, central elongated support member to form an array of said containers along said single, central elongated support member.
15 . A method according to claim 14 , wherein each container is engaged directly with or disengaged from the single, central elongated support member without affecting the remaining containers in the array.
16 . The method of claim 14 wherein the engagement fasteners comprise one or more hooks, bolts, screws, threaded members, magnets, pegs, or dowels; and the complementary engagement fasteners comprise one or more hooks, hooking loops, tapped threads, magnets, or dowel recesses.