Q&A: Smoke Seen After Spreading Ashes

File photo: white smoke

In this week's Q&A, a reader sent me a question about an observation of smoke generated after spreading ashes. As a paranormal investigator (and a scientist), the first thing we do is try to debunk the occurrence and find physical explanations. 

Q: When my Aunt spread my grandfather ashes, 3 minutes later I notice white smoke coming from the ground that was a foot away from the spreading of the ashes...... Could that have be his spirit???

 A: It could be a number of things. 
1) moisture on the ground scattered as a result of dropping something on it 
2) dust stirred up from dropping something on it. 
3) OR it could have been your grandfather's spirit coming back to visit to thank her for scattering his ashes as he requested. - If you felt your grandfather's presence at the time, he could have generated the white smoke, or it could be ectoplasm- energy from spirit.