After a
loved one has been cremated, there are plenty of different options for what to
do with the ashes. Some people opt to bury them in a cemetery, entomb them in a
columbarium, just keep them at home in an urn or turn them into beautiful
pieces of cremation jewelry.
However,
more often than not, many choose to scatter the cremated remains elsewhere.
Along with the choice to scatter, comes a whole new set of choices to be made.
In particular, where should the remains be disbursed?
Let’s take a
look at a few of the most common places where cremated ashes are scattered.
Many people
choose to keep the remains of their loved one nearby, this could mean them
scattering their ashes on their own private property, perhaps in the garden or
around a nearby tree. If you choose to scatter ashes on private land that
belongs to someone else, however, such as in a field or on a farm, be sure to
obtain the landowner’s permission in advance of the ceremony. Another thing to
keep in mind when scattering on private property is whether you will be able to
access that property in the future.
Another way
people opt to scatter cremation ashes is to do so across a body of water, such
as a river, stream, lake or ocean. Public bodies of water don’t often require a
license or any special permissions to scatter cremated remains, but, you should
be careful not to do so near an extraction point, or in an area where people
fish or go swimming. Keep in mind that locations on or near the water can be
windy, so be sure to check the conditions prior to this.
Hilltops and
mountains offer a beautiful landscape in which to say goodbye. One thing to
think about, however, is how ashes can impact plant life. While cremains are
non-toxic, it’s still advisable to avoid scattering ashes where plant
ecosystems are more fragile, a prime example of this is mountain peaks. Popular
climbing areas can also be difficult to get privacy. And, like bodies of water,
mountains and hilltops can be windy, so keep this in mind when planning your
ceremony.
Typically
located at a cemetery or crematorium, scatter gardens provide a lovely place
for your loved one’s remains to be spread in a serene location. These are areas
designated specifically for the scattering of ashes. Every facility is slightly
different, but they do provide additional ways to memorialize your loved one,
including plaques, statues or plants, so that may also be an option.
Here at
Normington & Sons, we understand the emotional upheaval involved with
losing a loved one. With this in mind, Normington & Sons is a family-run,
local funeral director in Wakefield. We take pride in going the extra mile to
provide your loved one with the funeral that they deserve. Get in touch
with us to find out more.
