Options for Cremated Remains: Scatter or Bury
Options for Cremated Remains: Scatter or Bury
Have you ever wondered about a more meaningful, eco-friendly option than traditional methods? There's more to consider beyond usual burials or cremations.
The preference for cremation has grown, bringing diverse ways to handle cremated remains. Known as cremains, these remainders open up varied personal memorials. The key choice is between scattering or burying them. Both have their own advantages and disadvantages.
Scattering ashes is free and can hold deep meaning, taking loved ones back to special places. Burying provides a lasting memorial site but tends to cost more. Creative approaches include making cremains part of reefs or trees, turning them into diamonds, or even using them in tattoos or keepsakes like hourglasses and teddy bears. Different faiths may guide the decision to scatter or bury, with some preferring consecrated ground and others being more flexible.
Key Takeaways
- Cremains are high in calcium, phosphate, and sodium, impacting their environmental handling.
- Scattering ashes can be a free and cathartic choice, while burying offers a permanent memorial spot.
- Aquamation, or alkaline hydrolysis, is a more eco-friendly method, legalized in North Carolina since 2019.
- Innovative memorialization options include reef structures, diamonds, and biodegradable urns that grow into trees.
- Religious practices influence the decision, with specific requirements for scattering or burial depending on faith.
Scattering Cremated Remains
Cremation is getting more popular for final arrangements, offering ways to memorialize loved ones. Scattering cremated remains is one meaningful way to honor the deceased. Knowing how to scatter ashes and understanding regulations can make things easier.
There are many ways to hold a scattering ashes ceremony . Scattering on land is emotionally significant, with families choosing places like favorite parks. But remember, scattering on public property in the U.S. can be tough. You might need permits or permission.
Scattering ashes in the ocean is also a cherished choice. Federal laws say ashes must be scattered three nautical miles from shore to protect the sea. Using biodegradable urns is recommended, and these events often include a boat trip, creating a memorable moment.
Scattering ashes from the air offers a breath-taking goodbye. This can be done by plane or with fireworks. However, FAA regulations can be unclear. Always make sure to follow all laws.
National Parks are serene and beautiful places to scatter ashes. Most parks allow it but have strict rules. Make sure to get the right permissions and permits. Scattering garden locations in cemeteries are designed for this, offering a sacred space for families.
Planning a scattering ashes ceremony can be healing. Consider the weather, transport for the ashes, and involving friends and family. Sharing memories and giving eulogies celebrate the deceased's life.
Even though scattering ashes means there's no fixed memorial, it truly honors the spirit of a loved one. Whether by land, sea, or air, scattering ashes respectfully ensures a touching farewell for those we've lost.
Options to Scatter or Bury Cremated Remains
Burying cremated remains offers different choices than scattering them. You can choose to bury an urn in a cemetery, keep it at home, or place it in a columbarium. Each option has its special benefits and things to think about.
Burying in a Cemetery
Burying ashes in a cemetery is a classic choice. It provides a permanent place to remember someone. The ashes can be placed in small plots or specific urn gardens.
Burials in cemeteries let families visit and honor their loved ones. But, this choice can be expensive. Costs vary based on the plot's location and the cemetery's status.
Burying at Home
Home burial is intimate, keeping the remains near. It feels comforting but think about the home's future value and rules about burials.
If home means a lot to you, this could be your best pick. It combines the warmth of home with a lasting tribute.
Columbarium Placement
Placing remains in a columbarium is another respectable choice. Columbariums are found in cemeteries or churches. They store urns in special spots, offering a calm and safe place for memories.
These spots offer a middle ground between a traditional burial and a personal memorial. Columbariums provide a neat way to keep the remains while honoring the departed's wishes.
| Option | Advantages | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Cemetery Burial | Permanent memorial, formal environment | Higher costs, environmental impact |
| Home Burial | Personal, close to family | Legal implications, property value impact |
| Columbarium | Secure, organized, serene | Space limitations, ongoing maintenance costs |
Think carefully about these choices, including eco-friendly cremation methods . Deciding on a memorial, like urn burial , should reflect the person's desires and family needs.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to scatter or bury cremated remains is very personal. Each choice honors loved ones in different ways. Scattering ashes may reflect a return to nature and symbolize spirit freedom, which appeals to many.
For those wanting to scatter ashes, options include scattering gardens, parks, and beaches. Be mindful of permissions needed for public spaces and that some places might not allow it. National parks may permit scattering but under certain rules.
Alternatively, burying ashes creates a lasting place for remembrance. This choice might follow family or cultural traditions. Whether in a cemetery or a columbarium, it offers a physical spot for loved ones to gather.
Cemeteries now have urn gardens for sustainable burial practices. These echo a growing preference for eco-friendly methods.
When choosing between scattering and burying, think about your loved one's wishes and cultural practices. For practical advice, check out resources like Purdy Funeral Services' guide. Both methods offer unique ways to honor someone’s life in an eco-friendly manner or through personalized memorials.
Making these decisions thoughtfully ensures we honor our loved ones in a meaningful way. It helps us preserve their legacy and keep our memories and love for them alive.
FAQ
What are the main options for cremated remains?
You can scatter or bury cremated remains . Each has its benefits and drawbacks. Scattering lets families bring their loved ones back to special places. This can feel freeing and significant. Burial, however, provides a lasting place for remembrance but comes with costs. Other creative choices include making cremains into reef structures, diamonds, trees with biodegradable urns, or even part of tattoos and keepsakes.
How do we scatter ashes?
There are various ways to scatter ashes. On land, it's often free but abide by local rules. Sea scatterings need biodegradable urns and must happen three miles from shore, as per EPA rules. Aerial methods include scattering through fireworks, offered by some companies.
What is a scattering ashes ceremony?
A scattering ceremony is a special way to honor a loved one. It's held at a meaningful location chosen for scattering ashes. It provides a moment for family and friends to share memories and say goodbye in a poignant way.
Are there specific locations for scattering gardens?
Yes, many cemeteries and memorial parks have scattering gardens. These spaces are meant for scattering ashes in a calm, lovely setting. They offer a respectful place for services and time to reflect.
What are the options for burying ashes in a cemetery?
You can bury ashes in a family plot or a special urn lot in cemeteries. There are also urn gardens. This burial option creates a lasting memorial spot for visits by future generations.
Can we bury cremated remains at home?
Burying remains at home is possible for many families. This can be comforting. However, think about how it might affect your property's value. Be sure to follow local laws.
What is columbarium placement?
Columbarium placement means putting urns in niches within a columbarium. These are often part of cemeteries or churches. It's a respectful, permanent spot for remembering loved ones. It also makes memorials easy to visit.
Are eco-friendly cremation methods available?
Eco-friendly options are growing in popularity. You can choose biodegradable urns that grow into trees or become part of reefs. These sustainable choices align with environmental care and can be very personal.
What should we consider when choosing between scattering and burying cremated remains?
Consider your loved one's wishes, cultural or religious customs, and your family's emotional needs. Scattering may represent returning to nature or freeing the spirit. Burial provides a physical place for visits and remembrance in the years to come.
Source Links
- https://carolinamemorialsanctuary.org/cremated-remains-options-green-burial-scattering/
- https://perfectmemorials.com/guides/options-for-burying-ashes-after-cremation/
- https://www.memorialplanning.com/blog/scattering-cremated-remains-land-and-sea
- https://perfectmemorials.com/guides/7-things-you-need-to-know-before-scattering-ashes
- https://www.simplyremembered.com/5-places-where-its-legal-to-scatter-ashes-in-california
- https://www.conservationburialalliance.org/what_land_trusts_need-to-know_about-_cremation.html
- https://www.purdyfuneralservice.com/spreading-cremation-ashes
