When choosing cremation for a loved one, or arranging it for yourself, it’s important to decide how the ashes should be handled. If you opt for scattering, you’ll have an endless list of places to choose from—from parks and the ocean to private land. Here are a few suggestions for meaningful places to scatter a person’s ashes.

Places to Scatter Ashes After a Cremation Service

1. The Sea

Scattering ashes at sea can be a beautiful way to honor a loved one. You can release them from land or boat, or place them in a biodegradable cremation urn that will dissolve into the water. Just make sure to check state and federal regulations before planning your scattering—the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), for example, requires cremated remains to be scattered at least three nautical miles from land.

2. Public Land

Perhaps your loved one was a nature lover or avid hiker. If so, you might consider releasing their ashes on a piece of public land that they loved, such as an area inside a national park. Most permit this, as long as specific regulations are followed. You also may need to obtain a permit, so make sure to bring your request to a park ranger before making arrangements.

3. Scattering Garden

Typically set in a cemetery or crematorium, these beautiful gardens are specifically designed for ash scattering. They’re a popular option for families who plan to hold a memorial service at the scattering. While every scattering garden is different, many offer permanent markers like plaques or small statues to memorialize the person who passed away.

4. Private Property

Scattering your loved one’s ashes on a piece of privately owned land, such as a pond or other area on the deceased family’s property, is another option. There are no specific land-scattering laws in the U.S., so you can scatter ashes without restriction on your own property. If you’d like to release them on someone else’s land, you’ll have to get the property owner’s permission.

5. Into the Air 

There are companies across the country that offer high-flying aerial scattering services from vehicles such as planes, helicopters, or hot-air balloons. Some skydiving companies even allow you to release ashes during a solo or tandem jump. 

If you’re looking for cremation services in New York, contact the caring experts at Cremation Service of Western New York in Monroe County. Since 1991, this cremation facility has been helping people make beautiful, personalized scattering arrangements for their loved ones. They also provide funeral preplanning, cremation urns, and caskets. Visit their website for more information, and call (585) 544-4500 to speak with a member of their team today.