Factors To Consider When Deciding Where To Scatter Ashes

Caring for an aging or terminally ill loved one is emotionally draining and physically exhausting. One of the toughest aspects is discussing what to do after their death.

When a person who has passed away hasn’t left instructions, families must make decisions about the disposition of the deceased’s body. Among these decisions is choosing between burial or cremation. For cremation, options include burying, scattering, or keeping the cremated remains.

Scattering ashes involves another round of decisions. Will the family gather to scatter ashes in one place? Will you divide the cremated remains so that several members can take them to a place of their choosing? These are just a few factors to consider when deciding where to scatter ashes.

Significance

Choose a place that was meaningful to the departed. It should be somewhere that family members can visit when they wish to remember the loved one who has died and a place they can enjoy quiet contemplation. This space could be your backyard garden, a park, a forest, or virtually anywhere else.

Each of these places will be subject to rules, as spreading cremated remains often requires permission, including possibly a formal permit. There are varying rules about how to transport, scatter, or bury ashes in public spaces that you must abide by.

Private Property

It is usually legal to scatter ashes on a property you own, but check local environmental regulations and laws to make sure. Public property may also have environmental laws and restrictions.

Don’t mistake private property for public property. Even though stadiums may seem like public spaces, they are private property. If you think your loved one’s favorite field is the best place to scatter their ashes, get permission from the owners.

Public Areas

Many public areas in the US—notably, national parks—allow families to scatter ashes in designated areas. Again, permission is necessary, and there may be a requirement to apply for a formal permit. If your loved one adored the mountains, desert, or forest, it’s likely you can find a national park or forest nearby with that type of terrain that permits scattering ashes.

Designated Scattering Gardens

Many cemeteries offer designated scattering areas where families can gather for a ceremony or simply to share the moment of scattering a loved one’s ashes. Each cemetery will have its own procedures and rules about how, when, and where you may scatter ashes. Additionally, you may be able to install a memorial in the area if the cemetery allows it.

In Rivers, Lakes, or at Sea

Inland waterways are often subject to state and local regulations. Your state’s environmental protection agency, mortuary board, or public health authority may have answers about where you are permitted to scatter ashes in freshwater ponds or rivers in your state.

Burial at sea has other specific requirements imposed by both federal and state governments. Scattering must take place at least three nautical miles from shore, and anything you put in the water must be biodegradable.

It’s never easy to say goodbye, but choosing a place to scatter ashes is an opportunity to celebrate your loved one’s interests and life. Allow this experience to provide a sense of comfort and closure.