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

[Ihsk]

I do wish people would stop releasing balloons in tribute to lost loved ones.

Balloons don’t up to heaven. They travel a few miles and usually land in a farmer’s field. Where animals eat the balloon and get very ill or die.

This method is a cruel and other creatures can die.

Also still can get Chinese lanterns online. Anyone setting these off now are idiots. Forest fires

100% showing off, nothing more, nothing less.

I don’t understand this. If a small child tried to swallow a deflated balloon and it got stuck in their throat there would be a high chance of them dying - nearly impossible to remove. Why would you want to release balloons knowing the damage they could do to other animals?

Yep!!

As we were taught at school
“ No one likes a show-off”

My beloved dog died five months ago and oddly enough I don't need a bit of blown up rubber, or whatever the balloons are made of to remind me of her. She's in my thoughts every day.

Can't imagine needing something as destructive and shallow as a balloon to enable me to remember and feel close to someone I love once they've died.

Completely agree.

We released butterflies in memory of our deceased. It was beautiful and good for the environment.

How irresponsible and ignorant about the environmental impact

Just so you know what "actually happens" ... A friends much loved horse ate one these balloons, coliced and died. She had him autopsied as she found him (healthy young horse) dead in the field. Very said happens quite often. I would be HORRIFIED if I thought someone did this to remember me. But given your attitude, perhaps your relative wouldn't care either.

I wish MNHQ could do a troll release, in memory of how this forum used to be.

Plant a tree, plant some flowers, paint some pebbles and leave them in a place that is special to you. Buy a memorial bench for a park or beauty spot. Sponsor a lifeboat and get your loved one’s name put on it (may not always be available).

Very glad to see 98% agree with the OP

I don’t like balloons full stop. Balloon arches make me cringe.

I went to a funeral with a butterfly release. Unfortunately it was raining and they had got damp.
Nothing respectful about it

Coul anyone be so stupid with one head .

We live in an area under a hosepipe ban, with a lot of farmers’ fields nearby. Last night I saw 5 of those paper lanterns on fire floating overhead. I ran out to turn on the hosepipe, ban or no ban, but they floated on. I didn’t see any smoke later, so hopefully nothing caught fire. Can’t believe people are so unthinkingly putting lives and property at risk.

🤣🤣

I'm starting to think that some of the responses are bots talking to other bots 🤔.

So you’re happy to be held responsible for inflicting a cruel and painful death on sheep, cattle, horses etc. just so you can play at being virtuous. 😳

Christ, some people really are the pits!!

I'm starting to think they released them inward instead of out.

And they scattered like cockroaches!

I think this is just rage bait so I’ll be blunt. Your relatives are dead. Releasing balloons in memory of your family members doesn’t make them any less dead. It does however, make other things dead unnecessarily. Lovely way to remember lost loved ones.

I hate the idea of damaging the environment and hurting wildlife in the name of my deceased babies. In fact all I want to do is honour them in a positive way, like raising money for charity or doing something positive in their name. Balloon releases make me really sad. If someone doesn't realise and is grieving I probably wouldn't go as far as to say to them, because it helps them (I am on a lot of bereaved parents groups). But being aware I am absolutely clear it should not hapoen in the name of the babies that I lost.

I think this is a total wind up or 'bridge' poster and enjoying the attention and peeps getting angry at the stupidity of their reponses.
Go and do something that matters in life like your school homework. 😉

Wonder if this is last period Tuesday afternoon maths, and @BeSunnyLemonSheep isn’t up to it !!

^I love this.

Sums it up nicely.

Two brain cells and one of those is on the blink.😄

I bought helium filled balloons for my sons birthday & on the way to the car I accidentally let them go & off they went. I felt absolutely dreadful not knowing where they would land. I was even terrified they would interfere with aeroplanes

I think they’ll be starting to feel the impact of their actions. One women has been arrested and charged for aggravated arson and dangerous driving ( not only did she post a video of her starting the fire there was a video of driving while using her phone and inhaling nitrous oxide)
She’s been remanded in custody.

The group have shown no remorse and have even been defending what they did. It’s unbelievable.