Scattering Ashes Together
Scattering ashes is more than a ritual — it’s a way to honor a life, express love, and create a final connection. When families or partners choose to scatter ashes together, the act becomes a shared experience of remembrance, reflection, and closure.
Whether in a national park, by the ocean, or in a favorite natural place, scattering ashes together can transform grief into a lasting celebration of love.
Why Scattering Ashes Together Matters
Shared Healing: Experiencing the ceremony as a group can provide comfort, strengthen bonds, and help family members support each other through grief.
Honoring Relationships: Couples, siblings, and close friends can create a symbolic closure together, honoring the life of the deceased in a collaborative, meaningful way.
Creating Memories: High-resolution photos or videos capture the experience, creating a permanent, visual memory of a shared farewell.
Planning a Shared Ash Scattering Ceremony
How to Create a Meaningful, Peaceful Tribute Together
Whether you’re honoring one person or planning to combine ashes for multiple family members, this guide will walk you through how to plan a shared ceremony that feels effortless, reverent, and personal.
1. Choosing the Location
Selecting a meaningful location sets the tone for the entire ceremony. Consider a place that resonates with the loved one’s spirit — somewhere that captures who they were and what they loved.
Tips for choosing the right setting:
Pick a landscape everyone can connect with — coast, forest, mountains, or prairie.
Consider accessibility and seasonal weather.
Think about whether family might want to return for reflection in the future.
Examples of BONAVENTURE scattering destinations:
Yellowstone National Park: sweeping vistas and timeless wilderness.
Olympic National Park: mossy rainforests and coastal serenity.
Hawaii: tropical waters and sacred valleys for a spiritual farewell.
Mount Rainier: wildflower meadows and mountain air.
For inspiration, explore Return to Nature: Whispers of the Wild or the America the Beautiful Package — both designed for families wishing to scatter in multiple breathtaking national parks.
2. Preparing the Ashes
Before traveling or mailing cremated remains, make sure they’re safely contained and legally shipped.
Shipping ashes: The USPS Cremated Remains Kit includes everything needed for safe, compliant mailing.
Combining ashes: If you’re merging ashes of two or more loved ones, read BONAVENTURE’s Guide to Combining & Scattering Ashes for step-by-step advice.
Eco-conscious scattering: Learn how to use biodegradable urns and return ashes gently to nature with our Eco-Conscious Ash Scattering Guide.
3. Personalizing the Ceremony
A shared scattering ceremony is as much about connection as remembrance. Personal touches transform it from an act of release into a moment of beauty.
Ideas to personalize your ceremony:
Shared Rituals: Let each participant release a portion of the ashes or say a few words
Symbolic Additions: Include flowers or biodegradable petals.
Words of Remembrance: Read from The Only Guide You Need: What to Say for a Celebration of Life for meaningful readings or quotes.
Music: Choose a favorite song or melody to accompany the scattering.
4. Legal and Park Guidelines
Scattering in nature requires simple, respectful planning.
National Parks: Always apply for a Special Use Permit from the National Park Service before your visit.
EPA Requirements: For ocean or lake scatterings, ensure compliance with the EPA Marine Burial at Sea Guidelines and submit a Notice of Scattering within 30 days.
Safety: If hiking or reaching remote sites, review the NPS 10 Essentials for Safe Travel.
BONAVENTURE manages all necessary permits and logistics when you book through our Destination Ash Scattering Services — ensuring everything is both legal and deeply respectful.
5. Tips for a Smooth, Meaningful Experience
Assign Roles: Designate one person for logistics, one for photography, one to lead the readings.
Time of Day: Sunrise or sunset ceremonies often feel the most peaceful.
Capture the Moment: Quiet photos or a short video can become cherished keepsakes.
Honor Emotional Space: Allow everyone to experience the moment at their own pace.
For more inspiration, explore Planning the Perfect Ash Scattering Ceremony or Unique Ways to Scatter Ashes.
When You’re Ready to Begin
BONAVENTURE offers unaccompanied ash scattering services in over 17 destinations across the U.S. — from Yellowstone to Puget Sound’s bioluminescent waters.
We’ll handle every step — from legal shipping to permits and personalized plaques — so you can focus on what truly matters: the love that endures.
Begin your journey:
💠 Start Your Memorial Planning
📦 Request a Free Cremains Shipping Kit
🌿 See Available Locations
When to Call Professional Services
Professional scattering services, like BONAVENTURE, can help manage:
Legal compliance and park permits
Safe handling and transport of ashes
Photography or videography of the ceremony
Personalized, meaningful ceremonial guidance
These services ensure that your shared scattering experience is both beautiful and respectful, letting you focus on what matters most: love and remembrance.
Ash Scattering Together At a Glance:
Scattering ashes together is a shared act of connection, memory, and love that transcends loss. It is a way to honor a life, reflect on relationships, and find healing as a family or group.
No matter the location — whether the roar of a waterfall, the calm of a lake, or a quiet meadow — the love shared through this act endures. It becomes a living memory, a tangible reminder that love truly doesn’t end.
Related Resources
Love That Doesn’t End: Ash Scattering FAQ Guide
This guide answers the questions we hear most often about ash scattering, combining ashes, and holding onto cremated remains.
1. Can I combine ashes from multiple loved ones?
Yes. Many families choose to combine ashes to honor multiple loved ones together. Professionals like BONAVENTURE can safely mix ashes for scattering while ensuring legal and ethical compliance. You can also combine ashes yourself at home if desired — just make sure to keep accurate records of which ashes are combined.
Learn more: Guide to Combining & Scattering Ashes
2. Do ashes go bad?
Cremated remains are chemically stable and do not decompose. They can be safely kept in an urn or container indefinitely, though they should be stored in a dry, climate-controlled environment to prevent moisture damage.
Tip: Avoid storing ashes in basements, attics, or areas with high humidity.
3. Are ashes bad luck?
No. Cremated remains carry cultural and spiritual significance, but there is no inherent “bad luck” associated with them. Some families find comfort in keeping ashes at home, while others prefer scattering them in meaningful locations to create a lasting legacy.
Read more: Are Ashes Bad Luck?
4. How long can I hold on to ashes before scattering?
You can hold ashes indefinitely. Many families keep cremated remains for months or even years before scattering, often waiting for the right season, location, or family gathering. BONAVENTURE allows families to send ashes securely and schedule scattering at a later, meaningful time.
Tip: Consider storage in a sturdy urn or sealed container, and keep it somewhere safe until the ceremony.
5. How do I ship ashes safely?
Ashes can be mailed using a certified cremated remains kit from USPS, which provides a secure, legal, and discreet way to send ashes to a scattering service or loved ones.
Order a kit here: USPS Cremated Remains Kit
BONAVENTURE Tip: Always confirm packaging meets federal shipping guidelines, and include clear labeling for cremated remains.
6. Can I scatter ashes in a national park?
Yes, but there are regulations. Most national parks allow scattering of cremated remains in natural areas with some restrictions:
You must use a small container or scatter by hand.
Ashes must be scattered away from trails and water sources.
A permit may be required.
Guidance: NPS Memorialization Guidelines
7. Can I make the ceremony personal and meaningful?
Absolutely. Personalization is one of the most important aspects of scattering:
Add music, poetry, or stories about your loved one.
Include symbolic items like flowers, biodegradable keepsakes, or a small note.
Choose a meaningful time of day (sunrise or sunset) to enhance the sense of reflection.
Learn how: Planning the Perfect Ash Scattering Ceremony
8. How does a professional unaccompanied ash scattering service work?
A professional service handles logistics, permits, and photography, allowing families to focus on remembrance rather than paperwork. BONAVENTURE offers:
Safe transport of ashes
High-resolution photos of the scattering
Legal compliance and permits
Assistance with personalized ceremonial elements
Learn more: How Destination Ash Scattering Works
9. Can I combine scattering with a celebration of life?
Yes. Many families coordinate ash scattering with a larger ceremony or memorial service. You can:
Incorporate storytelling, music, or readings.
Invite friends and family to share memories.
Include ceremonial gestures like releasing petals or symbolic items with the ashes.
Guidance: The Only Guide You Need: What to Say for a Unique Celebration of Life
10. Can I revisit the scattering site later?
Yes, and many families do. Services like BONAVENTURE provide GPS coordinates and high-resolution photos so families can revisit the site anytime for reflection or remembrance.
Bonus Tips for Families
Always check seasonal accessibility and wildlife activity at your scattering site.
Consider photographing or documenting the ceremony for legacy purposes.
Use biodegradable materials if adding mementos or tokens to the ceremony.
Scattering ashes is more than a ritual — it’s a way to honor a life, express love, and create a final connection.
Learn why families choose to combine ashes, along with some guided insights on this meaningful gesture.