Ash Scattering Ideas
If you or your loved one has decided on cremation as the final disposition after death, the next step is to decide what to do with the cremated remains. Some people choose to keep their loved one’s ashes, either in an urn or in some other capacity, like a piece of jewelry or art, and some choose to have the cremated remains interred. Others choose to scatter the ashes, and this can be a meaningful way to honor a loved one, especially if the place where the ashes are scattered has significance to that person. Whatever you decide to do with your loved one’s remains, it is important to honor the moment with a ceremony, to help bring healing and closure.
Special Ideas for Scattering Ashes
There is no shortage of meaningful ideas for scattering ashes. You can choose whatever is meaningful to you, and you do not even have to scatter all of them. Some people choose to keep some of the ashes while scattering the rest. How will you choose to handle your loved one’s ashes?
• You can choose a meaningful location- or several.
Maybe your loved one had a favorite spot, and that seems the best final resting place. On the other hand, maybe the person who has died was a traveler, fond of many different locations. You could plan a trip, heading to meaningful places and spreading ashes across the globe.
• Some people choose a garden tribute or memorial tree
Planting a tree or spreading your loved one’s ashes in a garden is a beautiful way to connect with nature, while also providing a place where you can feel close to that person. You can bury the ashes in a biodegradable urn, and perhaps place a bench nearby, for when you want to commune with nature and your loved one.
• Water ceremonies can be beautiful and meaningful
Some people choose to scatter their loved one’s ashes into the sea from a beach, while others place the ashes in paper boats and let them float down a waterway. Another option is to have a water scattering ceremony at dusk and float flowers or candles in the water with the cremated remains. Be careful to ensure that anything you leave in the water is biodegradable.
• Send your loved one off with a bang and a fireworks display
Some companies can turn cremated remains into fireworks, to be professionally fired or self-fired. If your loved one was a fan of big, flashy fireworks, this could be the perfect tribute.
• A lantern release can be beautifully symbolic
As you scatter the ashes, release paper lanterns in the sky to represent the light that will guide your loved one home to heaven. Be careful to do this in a remote location, where the lanterns will not be a fire hazard. As with any other item used in ash scattering, make sure the lanterns are biodegradable.
Planning a Ceremony for the Scattering of Ashes
When you are making decisions about what to do with cremated remains, you will want to think about creating a memorable ceremony to honor your loved one. It does not have to be lengthy or complex, but you should think about what to say when scattering the ashes, and have a plan in place. Choose someone to lead the ceremony, perhaps offering a prayer for spreading ashes, or reading a meaningful passage. Invite other people to help you plan the ceremony, especially people who love the person and may have good ideas for making it unforgettable.
Ideas for Cremation Remains: Legal and Practical Considerations
Before you make any elaborate plans, verify that what you are considering is legal. Most of the time, ashes can be scattered on private property as long as the owner approves but scattering them on public land requires the approval of the agency in charge of the property. If you plan to scatter ashes on a beach, in a river or stream, or in a park, make sure you know the permit requirements and are in compliance with local laws.
If you plan to scatter them at sea, federal law requires that you take them at least three nautical miles away from the shore. If you plan to drop them from the air, you can scatter them from airplanes, hot air balloons, and other airborne devices, as long as you are not endangering anyone or any property.
Make sure you consider environmental factors, be conscious of the ecological implications, and choose biodegradable elements when appropriate. If you need to travel on a plane with the ashes, be aware that the FAA requires ashes to be in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage. They will need to be in a container that is suitable to go through the X-rays at security, so you may need to consult with your funeral director to find a suitable container. Check with the airline, to make sure there are no additional requirements.
Symbolism and Personalization: Ideas for Ashes of Loved Ones
While you are coming up with a plan for your loved one’s ashes, think about what will make your ceremony truly representative of the person who has died. If the person had a deep connection with nature, honor that, perhaps by releasing butterflies as you scatter the ashes or scattering flowers with them.
Maybe a ceremony around a bonfire would be appropriate, or perhaps you will make a day of it, scattering the ashes and then reminiscing with others who were close to the person. Consider creating a memorial keepsake, whether that is a memory box, a piece of art made with the ashes, or something else that is meaningful to you.
Let John F. Pfleger Funeral Home Help You Plan Your Scattering Ceremony
If you need ideas for your loved one’s memorial service, we at John F. Pfleger Funeral Home are here to help. Since 1956, we have served the Monmouth County community, providing funeral, burial, cremation, and funeral pre-planning services across three generations. Our family-owned-and-operated funeral home is dedicated to helping people through a difficult time and providing compassionate care after a loss.
Whether you need help preplanning a funeral, making arrangements for a loved one’s service, or dealing with the pain of a loss, we are here to help you, always acting from a place of integrity, providing the utmost support and treating you and your family with dignity and respect. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.
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