... to feel really angry every time I see balloons being released into the sky

And what's all this about loved ones in the sky anyway? Is that where you think heaven is?

Anja When I reply to an individual and about their post, I address it to them. If I am replying to points in one person's posts I mention that. Why not? the poster I musn't name made some interesting points and I specifically addressed them and said so.

Balloons are one way to remember those who have left us but they do cause deaths. Why risk another death when remembering a previous one. Society must be able to find another way to mark a loss. They should be banned

Have you been to the National Memorial Aboretum, paddyann? There is a SANDS garden there, a place of tranquillity and peace.
There is a path lined with pebbles on which people have inscribed their babies's names and perhaps a message.

I'm sorry that my thoughts on painted pebbles was considered patronising by rachifagran^, it is something that does help many people.
I was just trying to suggest an alternative to balloons.
I do think a tree is a wonderful idea and someone suggested throwing seeds to the wind - another lovely idea which enhances the earth rather than pollutes it.

ps forget the doves - I didn't know that they would always be eaten by predators; I thought they would return home like homing pigeons.

Since we know the harm that balloons do to wildlife why continue to release them?
As to bereavement for a baby or child.....we planted a rose.

I just looked it up. They don't use real doves they use homing pigeons that are selectively bred to be white. So most probably make it home, but any homing pigeon can of course meet an accident or predator just like any bird.

No one is condemning people who have done this in the past without knowledge of the damage done. I have in the past been part of a balloon release when a young relative died and his school friends did this on the school field, however I would not take part in something like this now and I hope more get the message of the drawbacks and think of something less harmful in the future. I don’t think accusing people of other harmful things as defence (“ if you aren’t perfect you can’t criticise”) is really acceptable though, surely it is better to try to do the least harm- you don’t have to be perfect in every way. .

A very valid point, crystaltipps. It’s daft that any effort to reduce one’s negative effect on the planet we all live on is so often met with a Ah, but I bet you still drive/eat meat/fly.... That’s not the point, and any effort should be applauded, not criticised.

Callistemon, I think painted pebbles can be a very moving, and lasting, memorial to people we’ve lost. The painted rocks trend is still alive and well in this area, and I’ve seen some beautiful tributes marking Armistice and D-Day.

I agree that balloons are a no no nowadays like a lot of things we once accepted without a thought and now we must change our behaviour.

Plastic cups, bottles, drinking straws, single use
bags etc. Hospitals are some of the worst offenders and I daresay other institutions too.

What I wanted to add is that just because we aren't perfect ourselves it doesn't mean we can't protest when we see a wrong and want to improve.
2 wrongs do not make a right and every little helps.

I see your point. I do think that large balloons showing Sadiq Khan to be a pillock are OK.

I always thought releasing balloons/lanterns like this was lovely, however we didn’t know the risks to the planet this caused!
You are completely right MamaCaz, this type of thing shouldn’t be allowed now we do know the risk.

I think so many people either don’t know (or don’t care) how much damage we are causing to our planet!

Paddyann, in your first post (duplicated) you mentioned popping out from behind a cloud to "grab" a balloon. I misquoted "grab" for catch.

My point is that rather than release balloons to parallel the release of emotion, release seeds into the wind instead.

I'm not sure who dumdum's question is addressed to.

Some good points here. I also thought that Chinese lanterns were rather nice until I saw the damage they can inflict. It's about educating people so that we can all be aware of the unintended consequence of our actions.

Totally agree I saw a squirrel with something in his mouth that looked like a balloon once.

No, it’s completely wrong to let these balloons fly into the sky. They just end up being litter, and dangerous litter is farming country.

I also don’t understand why smokers think it’s OK to stub their cigarettes out on the pavement, when this is litter too. I live near a railway station and the ground usually has hundreds of cig. ends thrown down.

Another one here that hates them too.

As a family, we used to release helium balloons on the anniversary of my brother’s death.
Over the years, I have learnt how damaging they are to our wildlife and environment and feel ashamed that we did this. We now plant bulbs were we used to play as kids.
Far more environmentally friendly

Balloons are a menace to animals and the environment as are those lanterns.

I would not release a balloon in memory my elder daughter
she loved all animals and birds , risking the life of an animal
or bird in her memory , no.

I can remember mourners at a funeral at least 30 years ago, releasing balloons in memory of a good friend. We didn't think about the consequences then. We would now and never release a balloon again.

I really don't think, knowing what I now do know about the harm plastics do to the environment and to animals, that sending plastics up into the air in the form of balloons, is a good idea. Yes, I'm well aware that there are many, many other pollutants that we humans put out into this world of ours, but perhaps we can all do our bit to stop doing some of the harmful things - releasing balloons would be one thing we could do. I don't imagine there are many of us posting who have not suffered painful bereavements in our lives, and I can well understand how some things, be it lighting candles, releasing balloons, etc, can bring comfort to us. However, I really do think that with some things we do, however innocently, once their harm to the environment has been brought to our attention, then we really do need to look to alternatives. It's a pity there aren't biodegradable balloons and strings, isn't it? Perhaps there are? As it is, though, with most balloons and strings, the strings can entangle animals, and the plastic/latex can choke them - not nice, and totally avoidable.

After reading this thread I have decided to not honor my DM wish for pink balloons released at her funeral. I won't tell her because she won't know. I have decided to provide each person a pink heart-shaped piece of note paper on which to write their last thoughts of DM. Then as they leave we will collect them and have them buried with her casket. I think that would serve as a goodbye wish better than balloons.

OPgrndtr, what a lovely and thoughtful alternative to balloons. The notes provide the opportunity for each person at the funeral to express their love and memories of your mother and to know they will accompany her on her next journey. ?

@paddyann A release of butterflies or doves is very spectacular and could replace balloons perhaps.