AIBU to object to balloon and lantern memorial releases for environmental reasons ?

Come on now, I think perhaps LemonSheeps relative died choking on a balloon so its an entirely fitting tribute…

Not performative enough. How am I gonna make an insta reel out of that? My followers need to know how devastated I am.

This is lovely, it's appropriate to the family member who died, and it's leaving a positive impact in his community for people who'll see the flowers and for the ecosystem that will benefit from the planting.

As a former livestock owner both balloons and lanterns are a bloody menace. They should both be banned. I've had a horse injured by the wire from a lantern, needed stitches and box rest, could have been a lot worse. Not to mention the fire risk, there were round bales of hay in the neighbouring field ready to come in, could've lost the whole lot.

I don’t mind her having a balloon - just keep it indoors where they belong !

People can light a candle in church or add loved ones anniversary to the list read out in church or in book at crematorium or flowers on grave or at their memorial bench.

I need to think about this coz there's clearly money in providing props for performative grief wanks. Maybe some sort of drone that sings "Bye bye Nanny Pat" on repeat as it circumvents the globe gathering weather data.

Why do you need a ballon to know they’re always with you? Are your feelings for your loved one that shallow that you need a physical reminder? Why not a tree? Or a celebratory pint on significant days? Why specifically is a ballon the only way to remember someone?

What selfish attitude. You already know the damage that they can cause to wild life, farm animals who end up dying a slow and painful death.
I hope you're proud of yourself 😡

The good alternative is not doing it.

I'm asking genuinely, how does releasing balloons bring your family member to you? Surely it's your being together and thinking about them that does that?

Oh you’re just so clever! 🤨

The ignorance of @BeSunnyLemonSheep is baffling.

Would you consider maybe just putting 40 pieces of coloured latex straight into the local stream / farmers field / wildlife moors instead? Which will then be around in several hundred years time, way after you yourself have ‘passed’?

Same overall result.

Just sadly a bit less performative & Insta-worthy.

Thanks for this OP. I wholeheartedly agree.

No but they kill children living in the UK, which is higher up on my concern list in terms of priority.

Unfortunately, the only type of person that releases balloons or lanterns nowadays is an absolute moron. And there’s no getting through to a moron. They don’t care because they are mentally deficient.

Plant a tree? Donate to a relevant charity? Hold a memorial service? There are alternatives to sending dangerous litter into the sky…incredibly stupid thing to do.

The people attempting to defend balloon releases do sound like massive cunts, I agree.

Chavs gotta chav.

It makes total sense to want to do something visible and symbolic, it just doesn’t make any sense at all to do something that harms other people, their property and of course wildlife.

I don’t know if releasing native species of birds or butterflies is environmentally sound but it could be a better option.

What about the risk of a grass fire? It’s very dry in the UK so the risk of starting a fire is huge! Not to mention the risk to animals. Go to the pub and have a toast to the deceased

No one needs to send balloons into the sky as well.

They don't even all go up into the sky. There was a balloon release on the news once, related to a fund raising event or something. The wind took all the balloons into the trees at the end of the field, where no doubt they still are.

They are with us, because they are with us in our thoughts and our memories.

Then why do you need a balloon release to remember them by?

I think a bench in a place they liked to visit is a nice memorial. Something permanent that benefits other people.

Entitled, much....
So your way of remembering the person that died is to potentially cause injury and lingering deaths to animals who have no say in the matter?
Educate yourself.