SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- A Texas company plans to begin launching human cremated remains to the surface of the moon as part of special "Luna" burial packages by 2009.

Celestis officials announced its memorial spaceflights to the moon at a funeral and cemetery industry meeting in San Diego, Calif.

"The remains stay on the lunar surface," Celestis President Charles Chafer said. "They soft land and they're there as a permanent memorial. So, someone can go out at night and see a full moon and see mom or granddad or their best friend."

The service asks that family and friends show up to launch their loved one's ashes just as they would for a more traditional funeral.

The remains will fly on commercial rockets that have available space.

The Luna service costs about $10,000 and $15,000 for the preferred service. A custom produced DVD of the launch and memorial service is included in the price, according to the company's Web site.

Chafer said his company will also fly cremated remains into deep space.

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