You've already made the tough decision of having your loved one cremated, but have you decided what to do with the ashes? Many families are unsure – so know you aren't alone.
Bury or Scatter the Ashes - if via Land or Sea
Most families choose to rest their loved one's ashes in a cremation urn that they keep at home or in a niche, but others decide to honor their loved one a ceremonial burying or scattering of ash.
There are 3 different burying options for cremated ashes. You can:
●
Bury the ashes directly into the ground,
●
Scatter the ashes over the ground or in the sea,
or
●
Place the remains in a cremation urn that is
suitable for ground or sea burial.
Consider these questions to help you make your decision:
●
How accessible is the location? Are there visiting
hours? Is the spot difficult to get to?
●
Are there costs associated with it? Plot expense?
●
Are there specific religious guidelines for
burying ashes? Some religions require cremation, while others require cemetery
burials.
● If burying Cremation Urns, does it need to be made of a specific material (i.e. Biodegradable or hold up to the elements)?
Burial Urn Options
You can bury any cremation urn, but you may want to consider urns that will hold its shape and stand up to the elements. Cultured Marble urns are specifically designed for ground burial. Handcrafted of crushed stone, resin, and color pigments, these Funeral Urns have the look and feel of natural marble but can be personalized with direct engraving of a loved one's name.
On the off chance that you lean toward an eco-friendly urn, think about biodegradable urns for earth or ocean interments. These urns come in a variety of unique designs and are created specifically to break down over a period of time. For water burials: simply insert the remains, seal the urn, and release it into the water. The urn will coast quickly before tenderly sinking into the water.
Where should we go?
The best place to scatter or bury ashes is the place that reminds you the most of your loved one: a place that holds many memories and a place that brings you comfort.
Here are a few popular burial locations:
Cemetery
A cemetery is a common choice for burial since loved ones are laid down to rest together on a family plot. In addition, the location is typically well cared for and maintained and it provides a permanent place that the family can visit at any time. Be sure to check with your local cemetery as each may have different rules. If burying ashes in Wooden Urns, some facilities may require you to purchase an urn vault or a cremation urn designed to hold up to the elements like cultured marble urns.
Favorite Park or Woods
In the event that you need to bury or disperse remains at a park, consider on the off chance that it is open or private land. Generally, it is legal to scatter ashes inside national parks in the U.S., but the burial of Wood Urns for Ashes and the use of grave markers at the site is prohibited. Check the laws specific to the park you may be interested in as each park may have different rules regarding permits and fees. For instance, some parks require you to carry a letter of permission while others request a mailed-in application before the event.
At Sea
If you plan on scattering ashes at sea, there are only a
handful of requirements to follow. To scatter the ash, you will need to be at
least three nautical miles offshore. You can scatter ashes directly into the
water or by using approved containers like a biodegradable urn. Most states
require a permit to scatter ashes over inland waters, but we recommend
0 Comments