I don&#x27;t know the cultural origin of the tradition, but some people keep the ashes of their relatives in their homes. I have friends who have an urn with a parent&#x27;s ashes in a place of honor.<p>Ashes pose no public health risk (they&#x27;re often scattered in public places, parks, and bodies of water), so it&#x27;s surprising to learn that any government would require that ashes be interred below ground.