Strangers help grieving mother scatter son’s ashes in 100 countries

WHEN a grieving mum asked strangers on Facebook to help scatter her son’s ashes around the world, she didn’t expect this reaction.

Supplied Editorial 04122014CJ

A YEAR ago, a grieving mother set up a Facebook page asking people to scatter her son’s ashes around the world.

Thanks to the kindness of strangers, the young man’s ashes have been taken to more than 100 countries — and even to outer space.

“I have never experienced such a collective sort of hug,” mother Hallie Twomey, from Maine in the United States, told AP. “I feel less alone, and for me that has been huge.”

Mrs Twomey’s son, CJ Twomey, took his own life on April 14, 2010, at age 20 after an argument with his parents.

The former member of the US air force loved adventure but didn’t get a chance to see much of the world.

Under the sea ... a stranger named Tina scattered CJ’s ashes at Reuben Coral Reef, just off Saona Island near Dominican Republic, on March 14, 2014. Picture: Facebook/Scattering CJ

Kind-hearted ... US snowboarder Justin Reiter scattered CJ’s ashes in Russia during the Sochi Winter Olympics. Picture: Facebook/Scattering CJ

In November last year, Mrs Twomey was looking at the urn filled with CJ’s ashes and decided to send him on a journey.

She set up a Facebook page called Scattering CJ, calling on strangers to “send her beloved son on one final journey.” The page has more than 19,000 likes.

“Scattering CJ is my attempt to give my son something. It’s a mission to show my son — my crazy, life of the party, lover of people, smile so wide it entered a room before he did son — some of the world that he never got to see. It’s an effort to allow my child to forever rest in locations hand picked by caring friends, family and strangers alike,” Mrs Twomey wrote.

Giving thanks ... one kind-hearted stranger scattered CJ’s ashes in New York City during the Thanksgiving Macy’s Day parade in November. Picture: Facebook/Scattering CJ

Iconic ... in August, a traveller took CJ’s ashes to the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. Picture: Facebook/Scattering CJ

The heartbroken mum has mailed hundreds of packets of her son’s ashes to strangers worldwide, from Saudi Arabia to Thailand to Denmark.

In October, a rocket containing a vial of CJ’s ashes was launched into space from the desert in New Mexico. The rocket spent a few minutes in space before landing in the nearby White Sands Missile Range.

Outer space ... in October, a rocket containing a vial of CJ’s ashes was launched into space from the desert in New Mexico. Picture: Facebook/Scattering CJ courtesy of John Ottoway

“Really, why would a complete stranger want to help us?“ Mrs Twomey told AP in December last year. “I really think people are doing whatever they can, even if it’s a small thing, to ease our burden or to embrace life.”

See more heartwarming photos at the Scattering CJ Facebook page.

If you, or someone you know needs help, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.