Scattering the ashes of your cremated loved one can make you feel at peace, closing a chapter in the deceased’s life and your own. When determining where the ashes should be scattered, you can choose a location that your loved one considers highly significant. It could be the Pacific Ocean or the top of Mount Everest. It can be the Yankee ballpark or your own backyard. You may want to scatter the ashes at the person’s birthplace, closing the circle of life for him.

Having cremated four members of my family, I know the dilemma of determining where to scatter the ashes, or whether to scatter at all. One’s ashes lie buried in the cemetery next to his wife’s plot. The ashes of a second floated in the ocean waters from a picturesque Canadian island. The ashes from the third slid to the ground under the beautiful aspens of the Rocky Mountains. Last I heard, the room’s ashes still rest in the widow’s house.

Possibilities for scattering the ashes abound, but take your time before acting. Consider the legal, religious, and personal concerns involved, even if you have the express written request of the person who left you. Until you make a decision, you can legally keep the ashes in your home indefinitely, and you may want to set aside a small amount for a one-of-a-kind memorial.

Let’s look together at some of those considerations.

LEGAL CONCERNS

When determining where the ashes should be scattered, take the time to understand the laws and regulations in your area. If you live in the United States, you won’t find any specific national “scattered ash laws” on the federal books. However, you will find a number of rules and regulations at all levels: national, state and local.

Scattering ashes on private property is okay if you own the property. Otherwise, you’re passing. You will be surprised to know that sports stadiums, museums, etc. they qualify as private property, not public property, and are subject to this regulation. You may be able to get permission to scatter ashes on private property, but be sure to get it in writing.

Most national parks in the US allow you to scatter a loved one’s ashes, but you must follow specific rules. You can’t just determine, for example, that ash will be scattered near Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park, even if that was your loved one’s favorite scene and holds precious memories. Talk to the park’s chief ranger ahead of time to ask about a permit and find out what areas of the park are acceptable.

While you determine where the ashes should be scattered, you may opt for a burial at sea. Consider first, of course, the specific laws within the state that borders your chosen ocean location. California, for example, does not allow ash spreading within 500 yards of anywhere on the coast. In North Carolina, the scattering of cremated human remains (ashes) at Cape Lookout National Seashore attracts many mourners, so it is well regulated by authorities. Even the scattering of ash there from an airplane should occur only after the minimum of 2,000 feet of altitude has been reached. Other states that border the ocean have other specific regulations, so don’t risk breaking the law. The US EPA states that ash dispersal into the ocean is within legal limits, but you must obey ash dispersal regulations (https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/burial-sea).

There are many more rules and laws, but these give an idea of ​​what you are up against.

Scattering ashes should not result in a citation, so when determining where to scatter ashes, research the areas you are considering.

RELIGIOUS CONCERNS

Before scattering ashes, discuss religious concerns with your religious leader. Of the more than thirteen (13+) religious perspectives on cremation, he will want to consider religious concerns when determining where the ashes should be scattered.

The Greek Orthodox, Jewish Orthodox, and Muslim religions prohibit cremation entirely, as do some fundamentalist Protestant groups.

Roman Catholic readers will want to consider the position of the Roman Catholic Church on this matter, which is set out in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Instruction Regarding Burial of the Deceased and Conservation of Ashes in the Event of Cremation, published October 25, 2016. It reads:

“The Church continues to prefer the practice of burying the bodies of the deceased, because this shows a higher esteem for the deceased. However, cremation is not prohibited, “unless it has been chosen for reasons contrary to Christian doctrine.”

PERSONAL CONCERNS

While scattering ashes has become a custom, when determining where your loved one’s ashes should be scattered, you may want to consider reserving a small amount of ashes (ashes).

Why do I suggest that?

An increasing number of us hate losing all trace of our loved ones and instead choose to order a unique memorial that allows us to have an ongoing closeness with them. Cremation jewelry provides that closeness. Cremation jewelry can be such a memorial.

CREMATION JEWELRY

“Cremation jewelry is the perfect way to keep your loved one’s ashes close to your heart.”

So writes Mark, the professional glass artist at https://psychecremationjewelry.com/. Mark has worked with glass jewelry for over 20 years and his stunning blow work is a beautiful and lasting keepsake. Personally, I own several of Mark’s crystal pendants and receive compliments on his beauty on a regular basis. Mark’s blown glass marbles, one of which my husband cherishes, are just as beautiful and durable.

Unlike impersonal cremation jewelry providers, Mark personally processes your order and creates your desired pendant or marble while thinking about the memories you shared with your deceased loved one.

You receive a kit (small glass jar and measuring spoon) to send your loved one’s ashes. If you are requesting additional pendants or marbles for family members, place a tablespoon (about 1/4 teaspoon) of ashes in the jar for each memorial you have requested. You return the bottle in a postage-paid envelope along with any photos or written memories of your loved one you wish to share. Mark returns all of this to her with his full cremation jewelry.

CONCLUSION

Scattering the ashes is still an option, but as you determine where the ashes should be scattered, you may also want to consider retaining enough ashes to order a precious and unique cremation memorial for each family member to treasure.