Described by his mother, Aymee Comas-Diaz, as the family’s “star,” Phillip Alexander Diaz tragically died at the age of 16 in a car accident, writes Max Bennett for Patch.
After his death in November 2023, she found Celestis Inc. in an online grief support group. Celestis is a private memorial spaceflight company that sends remains into space in the form of a “space burial.”
The Diaz family was determined to keep his story going and his light shining. As their son always wanted to see the world, it was finally possible.
The family chose a mission that will place Phillip’s ashes into low Earth orbit for approximately five years. They can also keep up with his location using the company’s live satellite tracker.
Upon his return to Earth, the canister with its ashes will incinerate “like a shooting star,” according to CEO Charles Chafer.
In the fall, the family will travel to Cape Canaveral for a three-day event that leads up to the launch.
In addition to remembering him among the stars, they have started the Phillip Diaz Bright Star Foundation. Also, a movement called Phil’s Stars, involving leaving little stars around town to brighten people’s day, has reached the 50 states and over 30 countries.
“This keeps me going every day,” said Comas-Diaz. “This loss was so great, I was so lost, and this is what I have to do to keep going every day. His dad and his sister, too, that’s our goal, to brighten people’s days in his memory.”
Read more about Phillip Diaz’s ashes traveling to space with the help of Celestis at Patch.
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