If you or a loved one has opted for cremation services, you may be interested in scattering ashes as part of the memorial. There are many ways to go about this process, but knowing the right steps will ensure your scattering ceremony is legal and properly celebrates the deceased. Here are a few planning tips to consider.

5 Tips for a Scattering Ceremony After Cremation Services

1. Check Legal Requirements

If you own the property where you want to scatter ashes after cremation services, you don’t have to get any permits. For private property you don’t own, you will need written or recorded permission from the owner. Cemeteries typically fall into this category as well. For scattering ashes on public land like beaches and parks, contact the city or county to acquire the proper permits for your memorial service.

2. Learn Water Regulations

Even though it’s legal to scatter ashes in the ocean, there are rules that must be followed. You must be at least three nautical miles from the shore and the container, unless it’s biodegradable, cannot be tossed into the water. For lakes, rivers, and other inland bodies, permits may be required by the local or state government.

3. Keep Up With the Weather

Be wary of very windy days. If the weather does not cooperate, ashes may blow away from the spot you chose. Plan your scattering ceremony for a day with no wind or rain to ensure the proceedings go off as planned.

4. Considering Planting Them

Some individuals choose to plant ashes after a cremation ceremony. There are companies that create living urns, where the ashes are mixed with essential nutrients and seeds that you can plant in a garden to honor your loved one. You can choose a tree sapling or another plant, based on what suits the deceased best.

For Wisconsin Rapids, WI, and surrounding cities, Ritchay Funeral Home has been the area’s choice for compassionate funeral services since 1957. Family-owned and -operated, the funeral home offers traditional funeral options as well as cremation services to suit your family’s needs. They also provide pre-planning services and have a professional staff who will help you navigate the funerary process. Call (715) 423-1414 to discuss memorial service choices or visit them online for more information on how to begin.