What Is a Scattering Ashes Ceremony?
Whether you are planning a loved one’s final disposition or want to plan your own, an ash scattering ceremony is something you might want to consider. The cost of funerals continues to rise, and a scattering ashes ceremony is one way to keep down the costs. In this article, we will look at ash-scattering ceremony ideas and provide tips on how to plan one that will best honor the deceased.
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What Happens in an Ash Scattering Ceremony?
A scattering ashes ceremony is an event to scatter the ashes of a loved one to memorialize their life and say goodbye. The type of ceremony you choose will depend on a lot of factors, and most people plan them to best fit the personality and likes of the deceased.
Here are some basic steps of an ash scattering ceremony.
- Send an ash scattering ceremony invitation. To let the loved ones of the deceased know, it’s important to send an invitation with the date and time of the ceremony. Sending an invitation formalizes the ceremony and marks its importance.
- Choose the location. A scattering ceremony should be planned to honor your loved one’s life, and that’s why the location that you select is so important. Most people choose a scattering site according to the life and likes of the deceased. For instance, if they were an art lover, you may choose to scatter their ashes close to their favorite museum. If they loved the water, a nearby lake may be the ideal scattering place, or scattering ashes at sea with one of the water scattering urns may be appropriate.
You can choose just about any place to memorialize your loved one. Scattering their ashes on your family land will keep them close to home, or flying their ashes to some far away destination that they always wanted to visit but never did would create a cherished memory.
Here are some other places you could scatter ashes:
- In the air. Flying in a plane and scattering your loved one’s ashes is a dramatic way to honor their memory.
- In a scattering garden. Using a scattering garden will keep your loved one close to you while allowing you to say that final goodbye in a meaningful way.
- Close to home. If you want your loved one’s ashes to remain close to home, you can scatter the ashes on your property. Some people even plant flowers after scattering the ashes to remind them of their loved one’s beauty and specialness every time a new flower grows there.
- Special event. You can also choose to scatter your loved one’s ashes during a special event. Were they a civil war aficionado? Scatter their ashes near a reenactment. Did they love hiking or climbing mountains? Take their ashes to their favorite spot and scatter them there.
- Choose your words. Some people start an ash scattering ceremony with a poem, while others begin with a Bible verse or a prayer for the scattering ashes ceremony. The way you choose to begin yours will depend on your loved one’s faith and interests. You can also choose to give a speech about the deceased’s life, the same way it’s done at many burials.
- Make the goodbye memorable. Toward the end of the ceremony, it will be time to say goodbye to your loved one. This will be an emotional part of the ceremony and an important one. Some people want to quietly say goodbye and plan nothing special for this time. Others want to send their loved one off in a dramatic way with fireworks and music. Or if they are releasing ashes in a body of water, they will include flowers and candles that float alongside the ashes.
Is a Scattering Ceremony Right for Me and My Family?
There is no right and wrong answer when it comes to deciding whether a scattering ceremony is right for you and your family. But there are some things you should consider when making the decision.
Take Emotions Into Consideration
For some people, it’s emotionally important to scatter their loved one’s ashes as a way of saying goodbye. Only having a cremation and holding onto the ashes doesn’t give them the closure that they need or provide a way for them to acknowledge their grief and honor their loved one. An ashes-scattering ceremony can provide both.
Depending on your or your loved one’s religion, a scattering ceremony may or may not be accepted.
Are Ash Scattering Ceremonies Legal?
Ash scattering ceremonies are legal, but there are just a few requirements that you need to be aware of when planning this type of event.
Where Can Scattering Ceremonies Occur?
Ash scattering ceremonies can occur in just about any place, but it’s important to note that varying cities, towns, and municipalities may have unique rules and laws surrounding this practice. Be sure to check with yours before planning and conducting the ceremony.
You can typically scatter ashes in any of the places mentioned above. Additionally, you can scatter ashes on public land, although some areas will require that you first get permission. You can also scatter ashes in national parks and forests.
Can I Scatter Ashes at Sea?
There are no laws that prevent anyone from scattering ashes at sea, but the Federal Clean Water Act requires that you do at least three nautical miles from the shore. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency prohibits anyone from scattering ashes in wading pools or on a coastal beach.
Don’t forget to take the container or urn with you after scattering the ashes.
Can I Have Both a Scattering Ceremony and a Funeral?
Many people choose to have a scattering ceremony for immediate family or close friends and also have a funeral for acquaintances and others who want to pay respects to the deceased. To accomplish this, they only scatter a portion of the ashes during the scattering ceremony and save the remainder of the ashes for the funeral.
Remember that if you choose to do both, you should consider getting funeral insurance to help pay for the high costs of a funeral.
How to Pay for a Scattering Ceremony
Now that you understand the specifics of how these types of ceremonies work, it’s time to decide if one is right for you. Keep in mind that even with a scattering ceremony, there will be related costs.
Funerals and scattering ceremonies are expensive and the costs continue to rise. That’s why so many people are preplanning with final expense insurance. Having a funeral insurance policy is one way of prepaying for your final disposition so your loved ones won’t be stuck with unexpected costs or have to worry about finances during their time of grief.
Go to the Lincoln Heritage website now and find out what a final expense insurance policy will cost. It will give you that peace of mind to know you’re not leaving your loved ones with unexpected expenses related to your final disposition. Lincoln Heritage is so sure that they provide a premium product that they offer a 30-day free-look window – if you receive the policy and don’t want to keep it for any reason, the company will refund your money and cancel the policy.