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Author Hunter S. Thompson's cremains were launched from a cannon in a burst of fireworks. "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry had his cremated remains launched into space. Frisbee Golf inventor "Steady Ed" Headrick had his cremains mixed with plastic and turned into special-edition Frisbees. And Marvel Comics artist Mark Gruenwald had his cremains mixed with ink that was used to print a special edition of "Squadron Supreme."

More and more people in the United States are opting for cremation. And, increasingly, they are looking for ways to commemorate their exit — or the departure of a loved one — from this life in very personalized ways.

Here are a few options:

● Angels Flight Inc.

Cremated remains will be loaded into more than 200 fireworks shells and launched for a spectacular display.

www.angels-flight.net

● Beth Menczer Pottery

The New Mexico clay artist mixes clay with cremains and creates works of art. She also makes custom sculptures to use as urns.

beth.menczer.com/index.html

● Companion Star Crystal

Solid and handblown glass is fashioned into jewelry and art pieces in which cremains are incorporated.

www.companionstar.com

● Creative Cremains

Cremains can incorporated into fishing rods, musical instruments and picture frames or mixed with flower seeds and made into handmade paper cards that will sprout blooms when planted.

www.creativecremains.com

● Eternal Ascent Society

Large helium balloons containing cremains are released and, at an altitude of 5 miles, burst, scattering the cremains.

www.eternalascent.com

● Eternal Reefs

Cremains are mixed with concrete to form individual memorials that will be part of an ocean reef and support sea life.

www.eternalreefs.com

● LifeGem

Cremated remains are turned into diamonds that can be mounted for jewelry.

www.lifegem.com

● Madelyn Company

Gold and silver keepsake pendants and titanium bracelets and necklaces can hold a small amount of cremated remains.

www.madelynpendants.com