WTHR |Cremated remains part of fireworks show

Cremated remains part of fireworks show

Kevin Rader/Eyewitness News

Ravenswood - For over 40 years in Indianapolis, residents living in Ravenswood have enjoyed a special July 3rd Fireworks display.

Meredith Smith started the tradition. He passed away five months ago, but his family came up with a unique way to remember him at this year's celebration. 

Bud Smith and his sister Pam Schmidt have been busy this week preparing for the annual Ravenswood Fourth of July fireworks display. They've been doing this all of their lives.

"Everything goes up and we like to blow it up," joked Schmidt.

It all started some forty years ago when their father, Meredith Smith, started putting on the show using donations.

"He talked with his eyes. That was Meredith. He was sparky," said Charlotte Smith, Meredith's widow.

That spark ignited a flame that lasted 55 years until Meredith died last February at 74. Now Charlotte clings to the urn containing his ashes which will allow the two to be buried together when the time comes.

Pam Schmidt had a unique idea to honor her late father.

"At first I thought I was against it," Charlotte said of her daughter Pam's idea.

The family discussed it and eventually Charlotte came around.

"I think he would want it this way," Charlotte said.

They even printed up special T-shirts commemorating the occasion.

The annual fireworks display was a passion for Smith. The family didn't want to stage this year's show without him.

"This is a tribute to a fine, fine man. It's an honor to be his wife," Charlotte said.

So on Thursday morning, they all gathered in small shed to load a little of Dad's ashes into the grand finale.

"I want to light the sky with him and that is what I will do," said Schmidt.

Officially the last shell is called a Bright Comet, but to the Smiths it will be much more than that.

"As the shell blows up into a white mag, actually his ashes will be blown out at that time with the white mag," said Bud Smith.

"I'm gonna light the sky with Daddy," said Scmidt.

The fireworks will be shot over the White River.

According to Indiana law, cremated remains may be disposed of on the property of a consenting owner, uninhabited public land or in a waterway.