Stop releasing helium balloons in memory of

[Fiis]

Plus seen weddings, gender reveals etc with this too.

Balloons do not go to heaven. They float c. 50 miles, depending on wind conditions, then pop as hit a certain height.

The balloon remains fall to earth, usually in a field. Farm animals have eaten them and reports of them dying,

If you want to remember someone, do something permanent such as planting a tree, lighting candles at home etc

Last time I was aware of someone doing this… it was about 15 years ago on a tv programme
Not aware of anyone doing it now

💯

It needs to be banned.

I agree OP. Also, helium is in short supply

https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20250331-why-helium-shortages-are-worrying-the-world

And Helium is a precious finite resource.

Same with letting fireworks off late at night which seems to be creeping towards being a thing. Both performative acts do nothing to add to the memory of the lost loved one.

Yes it really does!

I never understood why it became so commonplace to be honest. I can't think of a worse way to honour someone's memory or a special occasion than to pollute the environment and potentially kill wildlife.

I’m adding fireworks to this.

There was major drama on our local Facebook group last week after a 15 minute firework display at 11.45pm on a Tuesday night. People were accused of being selfish moaners, after complaining , because it was “a special farewell to a dear friend”.

This seems to be a weekly occurrence around here. I'm sorry you've lost a friend or family member but pissing off hundreds of people in your community isn't going to bring them back. It's just selfish behaviour

Yes every time on tv I see a load of balloons being let off I just think, wow look at all that litter. Balloons can last for four years in the sea and that's the ones made of latex, the shiny silver ones are probably far worse.

And Chinese lanterns...

Who on earth thought it was a good idea to set something alight and release it to float away.

At least the floating lanterns seem to have died off. As well as the risk to wildlife and risk of fires , a relatives conservatory was ruined by the waxy fuel in one of those.

Even the ones that claim they biodegrade are greenwashing, because in the many, many months it takes for latex to degrade, they can cause injury and death to animals (quite apart from the ugliness of the litter). And that's on top of the waste of helium.

This website goes into it in more depth, and suggests some good alternatives.

Last year loads were let off here in a field after a local person died.

Some people present posted on local group's saying although they were there they themselves hadn't sent one off.
Not sure what they wanted to achieve by it other than covering their own arse once photo's of them were put on FB.

I suspect those that find it an acceptable thing to do will continue.

I pleaded with someone recently to not release balloons at a vigil/funeral and was made out to be a villain because "the kids thought the balloons would go to daddy in heaven "

They don't go to daddy in heaven, they kill horses and wildlife in fields. Stop lying to children. Send him bubbles, send him love, stop sending single use plastic.

Hate it and hate anyone who does it.

YANBU. It should be banned, not that some people would take any notice if it was.

I've seen it quite a few times on FB and anyone in the comments who mentions how harmful it is are shot down and given a load of abuse.

What four percent voting think murdering farm animals in a slow and painful way is reasonable?!?!

Humans are depressingly stupid.

I asked a florist for a couple of balloons for my dads funeral a few years ago (please don’t jump on me, it didn’t occur to me to think of where they’ll end up) and the florist said she couldn’t sell them to me if I was planning on “releasing them” as she considered in unethical. I obviously didn’t go ahead with releasing them. Hopefully more people will take this stance.

Do you mind me asking what appealed to you about releasing them? Not going to jump on you, I'd just be interested to understand.

As does the lighting of paper lanterns that float away and end up sometimes in a farmer’s field.

The idea that they might reach my dad’s soul which was floating around on its way to heaven. That sounds so ridiculous but it my grief it made sense. It was also a way for the kids to “send a message to granddad”.

TBH anyone who has a 'gender reveal' isn't likely to be thinking of the environment. Or much else, for that matter.

Spot on!

Our school had a balloon release in honour of a child who had died.

I sensitively raised it with the school and was told I was being insensitive and should thank my lucky stars it wasn't my child.

I then pointed out I had two children who had died, and I do things to honour them that don't include killing wildlife.

I would never have raised it with the parents though, and I think that's the problem really, it does come across as heartless to complain before a memorial. That's why I think there should just be a ban altogether on these releases.

Me and my dc (when they were younger) used bubbles, the kids would whisper messages as they blew bubbles and the bubbles popping were my children getting the messages from their siblings.

There are a million ways to remember and honour your loved one, why choose something that is so destructive.

And fuck your balloon arch and your giant birthday numbers. Fuck them up your arse.