Although cremation recently surpassed burial as the most popular end-of-life request, cremation can sometimes lack the finality we need to reach acceptance. Grief is often overshadowed by the onslaught of decisions, but cremation can still provide a sense of comfort if you decide to scatter your loved one’s ashes. Ash scattering can be personal and poignant in ways that burials are not. If you have ever wondered where the best place to scatter ashes may be, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will review where to scatter ashes so you can abide by local, state, and federal laws and find a significant place to lay your loved one to rest.
Choose an Open Landscape
Celebrate your loved one by taking a trip to all his or her favorite places or scatter the ashes far from home. It is important that you scatter the ashes in an open area so as not to disturb other people or establishments. One of the greatest advantages to scattering ashes in an open space is that it might be quite peaceful and secluded. Fields and mountains are ideal due to their remote locations. If you or a family member owns private property, this could also serve as a special place for your scattering ceremony. The chance to take a road trip with your loved one is a memory you will never forget.
Although it may seem tempting to scatter your loved one’s ashes in a public place that held some significance to the deceased, there are certain regulations that prevent you from doing so. National parks and other preserved lands managed by the National Park Service may require permissions for scattering ceremonies. Before making final arrangements, check with local authorities and administrations to see whether it is permissible.
Share Ashes with Family Members
If you and your family are struggling with where to scatter ashes, we have a simple solution. Bury your loved one’s ashes in a cemetery plot that will allow everyone to visit. This is a great way to combine your loved one’s wishes, without keeping others from being able to visit the final resting place.
Places to Avoid Scattering Ashes
Some people wish to become part of the earth, while others wish to become part of the sea. Even some open landscapes are subject to limitations. Some states, such as California, prohibit seaside sprinklings as close as five hundred yards from shore. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) bars anyone from scattering non-human remains, or pet remains. According to the EPA, cremated remains can only be buried or scattered in ocean waters at least three nautical miles from land. If you decide to scatter your loved one’s cremains over ocean water, you must also report to the EPA’s regional administration within 30 days of the ceremony.
Popular Alternatives to Scattering
If you have decided not to scatter your loved one’s ashes, there are several alternatives you can consider. Trenching is a process by which you dig a small hole in the soil to bury the ashes. This sort of ceremony can provide the closure you find with a traditional burial. Some people prefer to place their loved one’s ashes in a biodegradable urn before burying, but the possibilities are endless. Was your loved one an avid gardener or lover of nature? Raking is a process by which you scatter the ashes in a garden and rake the soil to incorporate cremains into the earth. Alternatively, you can perform a green burial. Some biodegradable urns come with seeds or nutrient packages for planting a tree in your loved one’s honor. There are also water-soluble urns that dissolve in water.
Deciding what the best place to scatter ashes may be is often fraught with financial decisions, family opinions, and other external factors. Remember to keep the final wishes of your loved one in mind as you take the next steps to prepare for your ash scattering ceremony or adventure. If you have any questions about this article or would like help taking the next step, please contact a member of Legacy Headstones today for additional information or further assistance.