INDIANAPOLIS—One of the fireworks bursting above the city this year will contain a bit of cremated remains—a fitting tribute, organizers say, to the man who ran the annual event for 40 years.

Meredith Smith died in February at age 74. About a half-teaspoon of his ashes will be in a fireworks shell that will create a white burst in the sky for the finale of the show, set for Thursday night.

“I can’t think of a better way,” said family friend Kevin Moss.