# Do you think human ashes can haunt people? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2018, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413 "2018-03-12T04:55:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![sara20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@sara20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sara20)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/1 "2018-03-12T04:55:00Z")
Recently a relative who hated me died (not in the house) and their ashes split into 2 and some were gave to another relative and some were kept at our house by a relative who liked them. Since then I have had constant health problems. Do you think that ashes can haunt people? ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/2 "2018-03-12T05:00:19Z")
Gosh, I hope not - I have the ashes of both my parents and my spouse in my bedroom. No, really, they can’t haunt you. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/3 "2018-03-12T05:22:26Z")
I agree that there is no evidence to support the existence of literal “haunting” as a real phenomenon. However, if it bothers you emotionally enough to have the ashes around, the stress of it could make you sick. The remedies to this are either to move, to persuade the other party to get rid of the ashes, or to persuade yourself that you really don’t believe in this and you don’t care if the ashes are there or not. None of those is probably an easy option. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/4 "2018-03-12T05:41:27Z")
I agree. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/5 "2018-03-12T05:46:13Z")
No. She cannot hurt you anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/6 "2018-03-12T05:57:00Z")
Sara, pay no attention to these naysayers. Your statistical data set of one is all of the evidence you need. Should you decide to keep the ashes around I would also pick up a voodoo doll as a counter spell. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/7 "2018-03-12T10:13:29Z")
> [@Lucas\_Jackson](#): > > Should you decide to keep the ashes around I would also pick up a voodoo doll as a counter spell. As the owner of a voodoo doll, let me point out that it’s a little more complicated than just “picking up” a voodoo doll. I’d recommend [Reverend Zombie’s House of Voodoo, or Marie Laveau House of Voodoo.](https://voodooneworleans.com/) Both have a voodoo priest/priestess on hand to bless the doll, which is vital. Do not just buy a doll and wing-it, be sure to get it blessed. And remember that it is powerful medicine. ---
**Author:** ![GoodOmens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@GoodOmens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GoodOmens)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 10:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/8 "2018-03-12T10:54:08Z")
No, unless you’re somehow inhaling the ashes, which I’d imagine would be very bad for your lungs. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/9 "2018-03-12T11:35:13Z")
You need a good guard dog to keep the ghost away. Go to your newest veterinarian and see if he has any pit bull or doberman ashes that nobody picked up. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/10 "2018-03-12T12:23:44Z")
Would moving out help? Is it possible? The stress and worry is making you ill. Well making your illnesses worst.IANAD, but do talk to your Doctor. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/11 "2018-03-12T14:09:27Z")
Smoke a carton of cigarettes, reserving the ashes. Dump ghost-ashes in the toilet (flush), then replace the contents of the urn with the contents of the ashtray. Giggle every time you use that toilet in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/12 "2018-03-12T14:28:31Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Smoke a carton of cigarettes, reserving the ashes. Dump ghost-ashes in the toilet (flush), then replace the contents of the urn with the contents of the ashtray. Giggle every time you use that toilet in the future. Would _you_ want a toilet ghost to possess your ass? (Literally.) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/13 "2018-03-12T14:33:43Z")
When my buddy Joe’s wife asked me to arrange whatever details/permits/etc were needed to disperse Joe’s ashes at his favorite lake, the park ranger dude said it wasn’t permitted. He also pointed out that if we were discrete, nobody would object. Everyone had tears; it was a breezy day and Joe managed to get in people’s eyes. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/14 "2018-03-12T14:34:48Z")
There are no such things as ghosts, demons or spirits, but believing in these things can make you think you are experiencing something that isn’t real. Everyone has health issues from time to time. If you feel you are getting sick more often that you should be, consult with your primary care physician. If after meeting with your doctor you are still concerned you may want to talk with a mental health professional. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/15 "2018-03-12T14:44:01Z")
I would think constant health problems would be the result of a curse, not a haunting. Also, if I’ve learned anything from Supernatural it’s that burning the body is how you STOP a ghost. Unless there’s some prized possession of the deceased in the house binding his spirit I would say you’re definitely looking at something other than a haunting. You’ll have to research the lore to find out exactly what’s going on. Or it could be Lupus. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/16 "2018-03-12T14:47:03Z")
[The word that would best describe this thread Is haunted…](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1_1H2036ZY) ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/17 "2018-03-12T14:47:04Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > Smoke a carton of cigarettes, reserving the ashes. Dump ghost-ashes in the toilet (flush), then replace the contents of the urn with the contents of the ashtray. Giggle every time you use that toilet in the future. Cremains are more like sand than ashes, and would surely plug your toilet. I’d rather risk being haunted. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/18 "2018-03-12T15:28:11Z")
> [@GoodOmens](#): > > No, unless you’re somehow inhaling the ashes, which I’d imagine would be very bad for your lungs. It doesn’t seem to have harmed Keith Richards. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/19 "2018-03-12T15:38:29Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Cremains are more like sand than ashes From what I’ve read, very little of the cremains are actually from the body anyway. ---
**Author:** ![mmmiiikkkeee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/edb3f5/32.png) [@mmmiiikkkeee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mmmiiikkkeee)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2018, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413/20 "2018-03-12T15:48:16Z")
Thousands of people absolutely _ **believe** _ that they can be haunted, and it causes them all kinds of grief. But there has never been any evidence to support the phenomena, meaning it’s all in their heads. It can be pretty hard to just stop believing something that’s been ingrained in your life and/or culture overnight though - long-term it’s best to look at the evidence and get your beliefs more in line with reality but short-term you should try a few things to just get past this issue until the long-term fix can happen. For one, you might want to check if the ashes/cremains really are what they’re supposed to be. I know that sometimes a cheaper service level (eg for a poor or homeless person with no financial plans or willing relatives to chip in) they’ll just brush the actual remains into the garbage and send a generic un-openable plastic container filled with sand and a peal-off sticker with the deceased’s name on it to a relative (happened to me). So make sure you’re not being haunted by beach sand. Or, if the thought is bothering you, just get rid of the ashes… either temporarily (put them in the shed) or permanently. And then try to think about it in the following terms: If that spirit is doing bad things to you now that their ashes are in the house you’ve got to get them back out. If the spirit has the power to still do bad things to you despite their ashes being removed or flushed then the actual whereabouts of the ashes means nothing; so it shouldn’t matter that you get rid of them. But you may as well since they’re already doing bad things to you so why allow their physical presence in your house? The stress caused by the powerlessness and unknown people feel regarding the supernatural is what effects your health. So developing a psychological “fix” for the problem might be the quickest way to relieve stress, whether or not it has any factual basis. Then, slowly learn more and get a better sense for what is believable, both so you can help others and make it easier on your self as you age (more and more people you know will die as you get older). [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-think-human-ashes-can-haunt-people/810413.md?page=2)