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

I know that you can’t undo it now but butterfly releases are not good for the environment. Far from it.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-41331682

Completely agree, awful for the environment. Every time I see a death from someone on an electric scooter, suron or joyriding I know there will be another balloon release.

Recently saw a video of someone setting a wooden initial on fire as a memorial. The petrol they threw over it could have ignited themself and could have cause a fire to spread.

That's beautiful ❤

So your family member is only with you when you put a balloon in the sky? Strange!

Isn't the moorland fire near Manchester said to be caused by "memorial" fireworks?
And no to butterfly and dove releases. Stressful for the animals involved.
I saw a memorial thing where boats had been made of biodegradable paper, people write messages on them and set them off. But I guess thats not showy enough for some.

Yep, they posted videos online and one person has been arrested. It’s still burning 3 days later

Easy to say when no-one knows who you are on this site!

@BeSunnyLemonSheep, why not plant a tree each time, rather than releasing balloons? The trees will grow, and you will be able to visit them over and over, rather than memorialising your loved ones by killing wildlife,

oh you should live round me.

So, because and A and B are bad for the environment then we might as well do C as well?

You’re on the wind up aren’t you? You jumped the shark with Halloween and summer festival.

If anyone tries to do something as moronic for me when I’m dead, I’ll come back and haunt the fuck out of them!

There was me thinking you're an ignorant twat, but in fact you're part of a group of ignorant, moronic cunts then.

I just hope the news stations have stopped reporting on these balloon events now - got so annoyed everytime I'd see one for some cause or another!

Absolutely

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jul/14/woman-charged-aggravated-arson-moorland-fire-greater-manchester

Woman charged with aggravated arson over moorland fire in Greater Manchester
Shania Care-Slede, 20, arrested over incident at Dovestone reservoir on Saturday in which fireworks were launched

Care-Slede appeared at Manchester magistrates court on Tuesday morning. District judge Simon Blakebrough remanded her in custody until her plea hearing on 18 August at Manchester Minshull Street crown court.
It is not yet clear whether fireworks caused the blaze, although police said they had received a report of pyrotechnics.

I’m so glad she’s been remanded in custody. Bet she’s not laughing now! I’ve seen the video where she sets the fireworks off, sees the smoke starting, laughs, films the smoke, lets more fireworks off….aiming them at the gras not the sky and then she stupidly uploads it to social media saying she lit the sky up! I hope she gets a lengthy custodial sentence.

Why on earth do people have to 'release' things at all? It's such a recent thing, and so stupid. I remember my lost loved ones nearly every day, and I don't need to release balloons or lanterns in order to do it.

But if you do want something like that, then - with proper attention to fire laws - have a small fire and throw on letters that can get 'carried up' on the smoke or something. Don't just send dangerous litter floating off into the countryside!

WOW, just absolute WOW
FFS

Two in Scotland lately highlighted by the Daily Record for two teens stabbed to death separate incidents.

We released native butterflies at my mother's memorial service. It was lovely.

You can literally see the fire start and them all laughing!
I’m pleased she’s been remanded in custody too although I suspect it’s partly for her own safety.
There was no remorse, they continued to share pictures and videos of the fire thinking it was one big joke.

How is your loved one ‘always with us’ just on those occasions where you’re littering though? Surely they’re ‘always with you’ every day if you think so much of them?!

Yes or lavender for memory or a nice tree!

visit the grave and have a chat with them, go to where their ashes are scattered (my GPs are up a mountain in Wales), go to church, light a candle, make an annual donation to a charity related to them in their name - plenty of lovely ways to remember people without causing damage

@Jumbareeare you ok? Ive never released balloons but I think I would be hypercritical to judge others. Do you know how much wildlife is killed by cats, cars & aeroplanes? All of which I use/have.

yup that poster seems to crave attention! Just ignore them