Scattering the ashes of a loved one following cremation provides a loving way to say good-bye that Americans and people worldwide are preferring as a final exit. Losing someone we care about is a right of passage, which everyone encounters at some point in life, but celebrating that life eases the transition between past and the present. When people are confronted with death many are drawn to nature and the innate instincts that we are born with. This feeling of wanting to once again “become one with the Earth” is one of the driving forces that naturally draws todays inhabitants to have their earthly remains scattered in beautiful and meaningful settings that connect us with our existence. Choosing a method for scattering ashes reflective of your loved one’s personality and the way they lived is the perfect way to pay homage and honor their memory. When survivors get together to set their loved ones ashes free, it can be a memorable experience that connects us with each others woven tapestry of life.
The scattering experience compels many to choose cremation in the first place. And continues to become increasingly popular, with the majority of the U.S. population are NOW choosing this option, a number that has doubled during the past 15 years. The term to “Scatter Ashes” doesn’t always mean the same thing to all people. As they say There’s more then one way to skin a cat!) And today scattering comes in many new forms as well as traditional forms. Following cremation, human ashes are composed primarily of minerals that have been purified by fire and are ready to return to the earth. Although ashes are environmentally friendly, there are laws and some common sense that should be considered.
Traditionally, cremation ashes have been kept in an urn at home or are buried in a cemetery, sometimes divided and shared with family and friends in smaller urns called keepsake urns. At some point, descendants are left with the question of moving the urns and passing them down to new generations.
Today, scattering ashes as a part of a memorial service is becoming overwhelming choice for many. For some the scattering ceremony is the only gathering of friends and family at all! And in these cases may be the only time to join together in honor of a life lived. Planning a unique celebration reflective of your loved one, and those who remain, will create a memorable event. Gatherings along a riverbank, shoreline, the country club or in the home garden with a backyard barbecue packed with family and friends are typical. The location or locations are carefully thought out. Scattering ashes may be planned at the beginning, middle or end of the event, providing the opportunity to say good-bye while accompanied and supported by loved ones. It may also be planned as a private family affair at a different time or location.
Personalized and Meaningful Methods to Scatter Ashes
The location you plan to scatter in will often determine the method used to scatter the ashes, a scattering urn designed for each method is available (Here) and can add function as well dignity to the scattering ceremony. I personally like when multiple people are involved and allowed to be a part of the scattering. Jeff Staab, the owner of Cremation Solutions, has gathered information and methods to help family members scatter the ashes of loved ones in a manner that is meaningful and more personalized for their needs.
Some Methods of Scattering Ashes
It is important to know the laws where you plan to scatter the ashes of a loved one, as they vary state to state. In most areas, you are allowed to disperse them on private property, but may have to get permits when planning to do so elsewhere.
- Burial of an biodegradable urn is considered a style of scattering ashes and is allowed in most cemeteries for people who want to have a headstone and wish to lay the remains with other family members. Some cemetery’s have “scattering gardens” and offer memorials on site.
- Scattering ashes from an airplane over land or water as friends and family watch from the ground is another option. If you choose this method, and plan to help yourself, it is important to ask the pilot for instructions, as more than one including me, has encountered a plane filled with ashes as the bag is opened.
Scattering urns are designed to easily disperse the ashes in any desired location and can be taken to different places. Birdhouse urns and scattering tubes are a popular choice for this method, as they replicate nature and add more dignity and ease. The birdhouse urns convert to an actual birdhouse and true living memorial!- There are many ways to scatter ashes in a body of water, including placing a biodegradable shell urn or an urn made out of solid Him
Ringing a Tree is One Way! 
alayan salt melt into the sea. These urns will dissolve within hours, releasing the ashes back to the earth.
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Loved One Launcher ! A hand held scattering urn canon dubbed “The Loved One Launcher” provides a celebratory launch into the air and lets you “Go Out With a Bang” Blasting you on your final journey to the four winds.
- Trenching, ringing, and raking ashes return them directly back to the earth. Each of these methods can be personalized in location and by the ceremony you choose.
Regardless of the method you choose for scattering ashes of a loved one, it is important to reflect not only their life, but your own. Consider being able to visit the location in the future.
You may wish to consider what your loved one would have wanted for their final resting place. Ranchers and farmers often ask family to scatter ashes over their land, people who enjoy hunting and fishing may prefer to be launched over a favorite lake, and gardeners may appreciate their ashes being worked into their soil. And its okay to scatter in multiple locations for when that is desired.
Whatever you choose to do with the earthly remains of a loved one when scattering ashes, do what makes you the most comfortable. If you plan on throwing a celebration of life memorial including a joyful send-off using a Loved One Launcher, make it a full-fledged event. Invite family and friends and seize the day!
