The cosmos has become a realm for remembrance for a family in Vancouver who have chosen a unique way to honor the life of their son. Following the death of Heather Jenson's son Joshua, who spent his life bound to a wheelchair due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the family decided to send a small part of his ashes to space. KPTV reported Jenson's description of Joshua as an "out-of-the-box thinker," which inspired the celestial memorial.

Each aluminum flight capsule, thin enough at around 6 millimeters, carries one to three grams of ashes and is integrated within a satellite that journeys into space. According to KGW, the emotional impact of such a send-off is significant. “Watching your loved one take off on a rocket brings a strong sense of closure, that words don’t really do it justice, it’s something that you have to see and feel to get an understanding," mentioned Youngblood, whose sentiment echoes the feelings of those embarking on this new form of farewell.

Heather Jenson's youngest son also battles with muscular dystrophy, which has set constraints on the family’s ability to travel. Thus, they will not be present for the launch in Florida, but plan to participate via a livestream during a watch party. "We love him and we miss him so much, and we know that he'll be here with us when we have that party, and we know that he'll be here with us in spirit as he goes up in flight," Heather expressed in an interview with KGW.

The option to send ashes or DNA to the stars is available not just for those grieving a loss, but also for anyone who wants to be part of the cosmos. This service offers a way to maintain a lasting connection, even after an earthly bond has ended.