Scattering Cremated Remains

There are a variety of options for the scattering of a loved one’s cremated remains

Rowland Brothers are able to help you scatter your loved one’s ashes somewhere personal

Scattering ashes can be a personal way to release your loved one somewhere that reflects their life and memory and is meaningful to your family. There are a variety of different options for scattering the ashes of a loved one, whether you choose to scatter them at one of their favourite spots, or in an exciting and unique way, for example, through a firework. Rowland Brothers can help you choose the most suitable option for you and your family, to ensure your loved one receives the best possible tribute.

Scattering ceremonies are becoming a new way to give a loved one a specialised send off, with family and friends present. More and more people choose to hold a scattering ceremony to gather friends and family to say things that perhaps wasn’t said at the funeral. These ceremonies can help through the bereavement journey bringing a sense of release to many while giving those left behind an opportunity to add their thoughts, wishes and goodbyes.

We can help you choose the right option for you as well as arrange a scattering ceremony. Get in touch to talk to one of our highly trained staff members about the options available to you.

Woodland

Scattering Cremated Remains on Water

Cremated remains can be scattered at sea or on a river. No permission is required to spread cremated remains in UK coastal waters. The English Environment Agency say it is acceptable with certain provisos to scatter cremated remains into rivers or streams. There is no evidence, say the Agency, that this has a negative impact on the environment, but nothing should be deposited in the river which will not degrade naturally, such as plastic.

With this in mind, we can provide special paper containers that can be put into the water and will float for a moment or two before sinking and will, over time, dissolve harmlessly. These containers, beautifully decorated if you wish or perhaps in the shape of a seashell, ensure that the ashes are scattered into the water rather than being blown away in windy conditions.

Certain parts of the River Thames are available for the scattering of cremated remains by the Hindu and Sikh communities and others. City Cruises is one company which facilitates this, departing from Cherry Tree Wharf off Jamaica Road, by London’s Borough Market.

We also provide a scattering service in the sea off the south coast – this can be attended or not – please ask your arranger for details.

Scattering Ashes at a Favourite Spot

If the deceased was a sports-loving person, you might like to consider scattering his or her cremated remains
somewhere like a football or cricket ground, racecourse or golf course.

Scattering at such places – as with all privately owned land – requires permission from the owner, but this is usually given, subject to practical requirements. The owner of the land may also agree to the installation of a bench with a small name plate.

Scattered on the Bluebell Railway

People who had a special love of steam railways can have their cremated remains scattered by a locomotive of the Bluebell Railway. When the train draws to a halt, two members of the family can step up on the footplate and watch as the cremated remains are placed into the firebox. As the train steams from Horsted Keynes to Sheffield Park the remains are blown through the chimney so they are scattered over the railway line.

There are many other heritage railways all over the UK, from the Bodmin & Wenford Railway in Cornwall to the Strathspey Railway at the far north of Scotland and from the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways in the heart of Snowdonia to the Bure Valley Railway running through rural Norfolk.

Woodland Trust and National Parks

The Woodland Trust is happy to let you scatter on its land but asks that you do not hold any kind of formal ceremony, and do not
disturb the ground in any way. The rules for National Parks vary from location to location, as the National Parks Authority does not own the land – it is similar to a planning authority. It advises that the consent of the landowner be obtained.

The Forestry Commission does not allow cremated remains to be scattered on its land, and Welsh conservationists and The Mountaineering Council of Scotland have asked that scattering should not take place on the iconic mountain peaks of their countries. More secluded spots should be chosen instead. Royal Parks prefer people not to scatter cremated remains within their parks.o the installation of a bench with a small name plate.

Scattering in Multiple Locations

If you wish, you can divide the cremated remains into smaller amounts and give them to individuals for them to keep or scatter in a way they feel especially appropriate for them. We can provide you with suitable containers.

Scattered Cremated Remains from the Air

We can organise a scattering of cremated remains from the air. It is not possible simply to open a plane’s window and eject the cremated remains without most of them covering the outside of the plane or blowing back inside it, but we have a method which eliminates this problem, using a specialised aircraft.

Ashes Scattered by a Firework

The fireworks option may sound unusual but has captured the imagination of a growing number of people, especially of younger generations. A portion of the cremated remains is placed inside a firework – a rocket for example – and released into the sky on firing. Companies can provide a single firework, or a complete display for an event celebrating the life of the person who has died.

You can fire the rockets and mini-displays yourself, or the company will prepare and set off a display representing the personality of the individual. This can include a name or message in fireworks, or synchronising the display to favourite music tracks.

Learn about different options for cremated remains: