Practical Advice for Scattering Ashes

Funeral Home Oakland

When planning a cremation ceremony, it’s very important to talk to someone at your funeral home or crematorium about where you can scatter your loved one’s ashes. Planning ahead will ensure that you adhere to laws regulating cremation services and the scattering of ashes. Here is some practical advice for scattering ashes during or after a funeral service or cremation service.

Find Out Where You’re Allowed to Scatter
You must follow certain regulations when arranging cremation services and scattering ashes on private land, controlled public land, or in a public body of water, such as a lake or ocean. You shouldn’t plan a cremation ceremony on private property without written permission from the landowner. Before you scatter ashes on controlled public land, like city or federal parks, you’ll need to obtain permits and follow regulations. At least 30 days before scattering ashes in a body of water, you’ll need to notify the EPA.

Consider Keeping Some of the Ashes
You may want to keep some of the ashes as a memorial to your loved one. When you begin planning a cremation ceremony with your funeral home or crematorium, ask the funeral director about your cremation services options. You can retain some ashes in a cremation urn or cremation jewelry. You can also bury a portion of the ashes in a cemetery, or entomb them in a columbarium or mausoleum.

Include Friends and Family When Planning a Cremation Ceremony
When planning a cremation ceremony, you should include friends and family in the cremation services. The cremation ceremony will be more meaningful if other loved ones are involved in the planning process. Loved ones can also provide grief support and comfort during a difficult time.

If you’re planning a cremation ceremony near Oakland and would like to talk to an expert at a funeral home and crematorium, come see us at Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. Our compassionate staff has experience planning funeral services and cremation services for families of all cultures, religions, and ethnicities. For more information about our funeral home and crematorium, including our memorial park, mausoleum, and columbarium, call us today at (510) 654-0123.