How to Make the Scattering of Ashes a Special Event to Remember

Although there are many people that choose to keep their loved ones' ashes, many others decide to scatter them at a meaningful place. Scattering ashes is a wonderful and personal way to honor the memory of your loved one. Scattering ashes also allows the family to let go. As you release the ashes over the earth or into the water, you are letting go of your loved one—which is an important step in the grieving process.

That being said, here are some ways you can support your grieving loved ones.

Creative Ideas for Scattering Ashes

The are many meaningful things to do with ashes, and a few popular options include:

Take Them on a Trip Around the World

If your loved one was passionate about traveling, you could plan an around-the-world trip and scatter some ashes in each country you visit. If your loved one had a specific place on their bucket list that they never made it to, this could be a wonderful place to lay their ashes to rest.

Say Goodbye With Some Sparks

For a very unique send-off, you can strap your loved one’s ashes to a firework and say goodbye with a bang. A few companies offer various services that incorporate your loved one’s ashes into a firework and help you arrange a memorable firework display.

Let Them Take Flight

This option is a little more elaborate than a firework display but is a great way to give your loved one a grand final send-off. A company called Ascension Flights uses meteorological balloons that are filled with helium to carry a biodegradable urn to the edge of space. Once the balloon has reached 100,000 feet, it bursts, and your loved one’s ashes are scattered across the earth.

Take Them Skydiving

If your loved one was an adrenaline junkie, you could extraordinarily commemorate their life by scattering their ashes during a tandem skydive. Companies offer this service where you take any volume of ashes up with you. The ashes are released from a special “ash release pod.”

Use a Drone to Disperse Them

Some companies like Angels Away offer the service of using a drone or radio-controlled helicopter for low-altitude air dispersals. Your loved one’s ashes are elevated and given a 360-degree view of their final resting place before being released slowly across the sky.

Where to Scatter Your Loved One's Ashes

If the aforementioned ideas seem a little wild for you, then you can still make the scattering of ashes a memorable event by picking a special place to do so, but you should always check with local authorities or get permission from the property owner. Here are some of the recommended places to scatter your loved one’s ashes.

• The beach Beaches symbolize freedom, passion, and eternal love and are the most common place people go to scatter their loved one’s ashes.
• At sea Like the beach, many people choose to scatter their loved one’s ashes at sea. This is typically done from a boat and it is one of the easiest options.
• Local or national park For nature lovers, having the ashes scattered in a local or national park is the greatest tribute.
• Private property If your family owns a piece of land that holds a special place in your loved one’s heart, this could be an amazing place for scattering their ashes. This could be a family home, campsite, garden, farm, etc.
• Meadows Families find comfort in returning a loved one to the earth. You can mix the ashes with the seeds of your favorite native wildflower and plant these. They will grow into a gorgeous meadow—a symbol of growth and life.
• Vacation destination A favorite vacation spot is great for scattering your loved one’s ashes. It symbolizes their legacy and it is perfect for exploring all those fond memories you had as a family.

What to Say When Scattering Ashes

While scattering ashes may be a solemn moment, some people choose to say a few meaningful words during the process instead of remaining silent. Here are a few examples of what you could do:

• Tell personal stories Personal stories serve as a reminder that although the person has departed, they were someone with a name and played an important role in many others' lives.
• Meaningful quotes Quotes are simple words that carry meaning. In moments where emotions are heavy, quotes can be wonderful for carrying everyone through the day.
• Poems Poems can be read during the scattering of ashes to honor the fragile rhythm of life. Poems are a good way to honor someone’s memory when you feel like your own words don’t suffice.
• Prayers People of all religions practice prayers, which guide them and give them the strength to face every situation in life, especially the death of a loved one.

How Long Do Cremated Ashes Last?

Cremated ashes can last forever. Archeologists have found ashes that are thousands of years old, and some funeral homes have ashes from the 19th century still in their urns. Ashes can last for a very long in an urn, as long as the urn has a strong seal. It is also very important to choose an urn that has a long life span. Metal urns will last much longer than urns made of wood.

Be sure to take a look at the different types of cremation before deciding which option to choose.

In Summary: Scattering Your Loved One's Ashes

Losing a loved one is never easy, and deciding what to do with their ashes is an emotional decision. Some people choose to bury the cremation urn while others choose to use an urn for scattering ashes. There is no right or wrong way of doing it—the most important thing is that it resonates with you and your family and brings you closure.

However, if you've decided against scattering the ashes, there are more unique ways to remember your loved ones.