You have many options when seeking to honor a loved one by scattering their ashes meaningfully. The option to take a minuscule amount of ashes and turn them into beautiful jewelry, interring them into specially made ash-infused objects, planting them with a tree, having them become part of a living coral reef—and more, provides a range of possibilities.
Often, families want to ensure that when and if they do scatter ashes, they do so in a manner or ritual that is respectful and within a location meaningful—if not specified by the deceased in their will—one they believe the deceased would have approved of.
This article will explore just a few creative options to turn scattering ashes into a cherished legacy filled with compassion, profound personal meaning, and memorial.
Memorial Forests
A memorial forest is a plot of forested land where one can scatter or plant ashes in an open, beautiful, and natural environment. Many find the act of scattering ashes and the thought of being scattered within a forest as both tranquil and part of the cycle of life. While an urn provides a tangible focal point for those in mourning, scattering a loved one's ashes in a memorial forest offers a place that is constantly changing and evolving—much like life itself. As seasons change, plant life and animal life grow and change, too.
Depending on the memorial forest, ashes can be scattered and gently mixed with soil at the base of a chosen tree, or a tree can be planted with a loved one's cremated remains.
Memorial forests are a beautiful means to create a living legacy, a serene and peaceful place for friends and family to gather and pay honor to their loved ones while remembering their departed and taking steps on their healing journey.
At Sea
For some, the ocean and beach hold significant meaning, and they may request to be scattered at sea. There are several ways to arrange a meaningful scattering ritual should you and your departed loved one have wished for it.
The laws and regulations regarding ashes scattered at sea are far more lenient than those for sea burial. The only thing to keep in mind and follow is:
- Never scatter anything that is non-biodegradable. For example, personal effects are not made from natural materials, such as anything plastic or metal, as this can harm wildlife.
- Scatter ashes on the ocean far from settlements where people may swim or fish.
- Scatter the ashes as close to the water's surface as possible, avoiding windy days so the ashes do not blow in the wind.
When choosing to spread ashes at sea, you can often choose to charter a boat to do it there or scatter a loved one's ashes on a shoreline. Both have benefits and drawbacks, such as needing a permit to scatter ashes on a coastline or renting a boat to scatter them at sea, so take a few days to choose which works best for your loved one, your budget, and your family.
At Home
For some of us, our families may own a home that has been part of generations. In this case, a loved one may request their ashes be scattered at home or in a garden. Even if a loved one did not leave instructions on where to have their ashes scattered, perhaps they spent most of their time in the garden or at home, creating lasting memories through comfort and food. If the house is where the deceased was most at peace, it makes perfect sense to consider holding a scattering or burial of the ashes ritual at home or in the garden.
Double-check local zoning regulations regarding scattering ashes on private property to ensure everything goes smoothly before planning an at-home or garden scattering ceremony. Also, remember that if you decide to move to a different location in the future, you may not be able to return to this special place.
Regardless of how or where you scatter a loved one's ashes, the process can be a first step toward healing in grief. The act of dispersing a loved one's remains can help you and your family create the closure you need while also creating new memories with fellow friends and family that can bring a bubble of positivity during a difficult time. Scattering ashes can be as straightforward or as elaborate as you wish, connecting you to your loved one's memory and reconnecting friends and family in a meaningful place that will embody a sense of peace and resolution.