One reason people choose cremation services in Batavia, NY. is because they like the idea of having their ashes scattered someplace special afterwards. The locations people select vary from a family backyard to a national park, or even the ocean. While most places allow the scattering of ashes, there are some rules and regulations families need to be aware of before preforming this act for their loved one.

Scattering Ashes in the Ocean

If your loved one adored the ocean or the beach, then scattering their ashes out into the ocean may be the perfect send off. While this can be a beautiful way to say goodbye and is allowed in most oceans there are some specific rules. Some of these include:

• Any container that the remains are in must be biodegradable and not harmful to sea life in any way
• If any flowers accompany the container, they must break down quickly and also not be harmful to any sea life
• While typically no permit is required before this action is done, the family must notify the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) within 30 days of scattering
• The scattering must take place at least three nautical miles away from any land

Ash Scattering at a National Park

The United States has some amazing national parks and the beauty they hold makes a serene space for scattering ashes. Most national parks require just a simple permit before scattering the ashes. These permits can be obtained online or by calling the specific national park and talking with a park ranger. Some other things to consider after you have the permit are:

• The ashes need to be scattered away from developed areas such as campgrounds
• No marker of any kind is allowed to be left at the site
• Many times the group number is limited to six people
• The group must adhere to all other general park regulations
• You cannot bury the ashes

If you are not able to travel to a national park, state parks are nice options as well. The rules are just about the same as with the national parks, making it easy to get a permit and preform the scattering. If you are in a national forest, however, scattering of remains is not permitted.

Scattering Ashes on Private Land

The rules for scattering ashes on private land are pretty simple; you must get the permission of the landowner. This is non-negotiable. If you are caught scattering ashes without permission, you can face fines and possible jail time with charges of trespassing. Ask the landowner. If the landowner says yes, then ask what else, if any rules they would like you to follow. If they say, no, then find another place.

Final Thoughts

With cremation services in Batavia, NY. and all around the U.S, rising year after year, you may see more an more ash scattering ceremonies taking place. It is important for families to follow the rules and regulations of the locations they choose so that this practice is allowed for years to come have some pre-planning now.