A Glenmoore family will honor their late son with a unique memorial through Celestis Inc., writes Rita Giordano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
The company, based in Houston, offers a unique memorial tribute: a “space burial,” where a loved one’s remains can be rocketed into space.
Celestis offers multiple options and methods for the “burial.” The “Earth Rise” flight returns the remains to Earth, while the “Luna Service” lands an individual’s remains on the moon.
The “Voyager Tribute” sends remains into deep space, and was the burial of choice for Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry.
Clients come from all over the world and all backgrounds for the unique tribute. As for the Diaz family in Chester County, it is the perfect way to honor their son Phillip.
Phillip Diaz tragically passed away on a family vacation in November 2023. The adventurous 16-year-old, who would have graduated from Downingtown East High School this past spring, loved to travel. He had visited seventeen countries with his family, and was already planning his high school graduation trip at the time of his passing.
Phillip’s remains will orbit Earth for several years before re-entering the atmosphere, where they will combust “like a shooting star.” Celestis will determine the timeline, with the launch estimated to take place later this year.
Diaz’s memorial spaceflight will be the twenty-sixth voyage completed by Celestis since the company’s establishment in 1994.
Read more about Phillip Diaz and the late teen’s upcoming memorial spaceflight with Celestis Inc. in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
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