Where are you allowed to scatter ashes in the USA?

The practice of scattering ashes is one of the meaningful and memorable ways of sending off our loved ones. But the intriguing question is ‘can we scatter the remains anywhere, anytime?’. 

The straightforward answer to this question would be, a big ‘No’. Though ash scattering is completely legal, still it has certain rules and regulations that should be followed. Violating such rules is considered illegal and liable to penalties. To avoid all such confusion, it’s good to know the places and rules where you can disperse the remains without any problems.

Ash scattering places and permissions

The key factor that one should understand while choosing a location for ash dispersal is whether they have legal permission to perform such a memorial event in that particular place. Depending on the place of choice, the permission required and rules of compliance vary like the few mentioned below. 

• Ocean and Seas

Ash scattering in the oceans and seas is a traditional practice that is being followed by many people around the globe. However, this practice has certain norms that one should comply with, before proceeding with ash scattering. Though the oceans and seas are protected by many national laws, there are only a few rules that one should remember while dispersing the ashes in the sea. Such rules are:

• No non-biodegradable products should be dropped in the sea while scattering ashes.
• While dispersing ashes, one should be at a distance of approx 5-6 kilometers from the shoreline, in other words, three nautical miles from the seashore. 
• No medical waste should be disposed of at the sea or ocean.
• The sea depth should be 600 feet at the place of scattering.
• Should not violate any rules put forth by the EPA (US Environmental protection Agency)

• Your own property/ land

When it comes to your own property, there are no rules about what you do with it. It’s up to how, when, and where you want to scatter the ashes in your land. If you want the remains of your loved ones to be spread in a place where you can visit regularly without any restrictions, then your own land would be the perfect one for it. Nobody can stop you from visiting that place as many times as you want, unless you sell that property to someone else. Also, it might not be a good piece of news for the buyers if you are selling the land.

• Other’s private property

Except for your own property, you need to get permission for all the other places where you would want to scatter the ashes. Sometimes, there are chances when your loved one would have been emotionally attached or spent more time in someone else’s place. In that case, you can ask for permission from the private property’s legal owner. If you get that permission, you can scatter the ashes in other’s properties or land without any legal violations.

• Cemeteries

Similar to burials, there are many cemeteries where you can perform the ash scattering event. However, you need to get prior permission from the municipal or the private landholder. In many cemeteries, there are separate gardens, and plantation fields are provided for people who wish to disperse their loved one’s remains in a scenic space. The only concern with this cemetery scattering is that one has to be careful to not disperse the remains on someone else’s grave.

•  In the Air

Sending the ashes in the air is also a common practice among many traditions and cultures. Though it’s a common method, it still has certain rules to be followed. Since the human remains are made of dust and fine particles of burnt bones, dispersing the ash through the air may bring discomfort to the people nearby. There are many good memorial services available through which you can choose a perfect place for sending your beloved one’s ashes in a hot air balloon with fireworks. This type of ash scattering is considered as giving a celebratory farewell to a life lived well. 

Though you are emotionally attached to the ash scattering ceremonies, it is equally important to consider others’ comfort and nature’s well-being. So, choose a wise place that will not affect anyone by your sendoff event. Go with eco-friendly methods like using degradable urns, if you plan to drop the ashes along with the containers in the sea or oceans. This is how you can honor both the people in your society and the person you loved.