For hunters who want to have one or more final chances at participating in the killing of something, the folks at www.myholysmoke.com provide the ideal solution. They will stuff your ashes after cremation into the wads (the cups that hold the shot pellets together) of 250 shotgun shells or into the noses of 100 rifle or 125 pistol bullets. Your loved ones can then use the ammo to hunt a few dozen critters in your honor. Three years ago, they advertised the price for their basic service at $850; nowadays, you have to call for a quote. However, they do still indicate on their website that fancy wooden boxes to display the ammo are available for an additional $100 apiece.
They advertise their trade as "Celebrating Life."
Robert Chapin, a toxicologist for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, recommends that the creature be killed promptly (which is obviously the most humane way to dispatch an animal anyway) so that the ashes carried in the bullet do not circulate in the bloodstream, and he further suggests that the meat immediately around the bullet hole be discarded so that the ashes are not consumed.* I would think, however, that this would merely be an aesthetic issue as opposed to a serious health concern--at least with respect to the ashes. Consuming lead particles is a different story.
* Those of you who watch the classic Simpsons episodes may hearken back to the one containing Principal Skinner's observation that "You could say there's a little bit of Uter in all of us." Those of you who do not watch will be totally confused at this point.
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