Patriotic Places to Scatter Ashes
National Parks are monuments to freedom, courage, and preservation. Figures like Teddy Roosevelt, a fierce protector of the parks, recognized their poetic beauty and symbolic power. He fought for the preservation of these lands so that generations could experience the majesty of mountains, rivers, and forests.
For veterans and those who valued the spirit of the nation, scattering ashes in National Parks allows their memory to rest in the very landscapes that embody the ideals they defended: resilience, courage, and love of country. Many who fought for freedom now have a place to rest in the most beautiful landscapes they cherished, sometimes even giving their lives to preserve it for others.
Ash Scattering with Our Family Team
Sarah-Marie Sherbon is a storyteller at heart and a guide for families honoring the lives of their loved ones. With a passion for preserving memory through nature, she founded Bonaventure to provide dignified, personalized, and environmentally respectful ash scattering services in some of America’s most beautiful and iconic landscapes.
Through Bonaventure, Sarah-Marie helps families navigate the emotional and practical aspects of ash scattering, offering guidance, inspiration, and expertise to create ceremonies that are both personal and timeless. She believes every individual deserves a resting place that mirrors the beauty, significance, and values of their life.
Call Today to Learn More: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
Top Patriotic Locations for Ash Scattering
1. Yellowstone National Park – The Land Teddy Roosevelt Loved
Why: Teddy Roosevelt, known as the father of the National Parks, loved Yellowstone for its geysers, canyons, and untouched wilderness. The park symbolizes a poetic love for America’s natural wonders and the commitment to protect them.
Scattering Insight: Secluded riverbanks and hidden meadows offer quiet, private reflection.
Seasonal Tip: Spring and fall provide mild weather and fewer visitors.
Secret Spot: Firehole River trail for a peaceful tribute.
Bonaventure Package: Yellowstone National Park
2. Hawaii – Pearl Harbor and Island Beauty
Why: Hawaii is both a site of historic sacrifice and breathtaking landscapes. Scattering ashes here honors those who served in the Pacific and allows families to pay tribute amid volcanic cliffs and ocean vistas.
Scattering Insight: Secluded beaches and coastal cliffs provide intimate, reflective spaces.
Seasonal Tip: Winter offers calm seas and gentle weather.
Secret Spot: Lava flow coastline on the Big Island for a striking, timeless tribute.
Bonaventure Package: Hawaii
3. Glacier National Park – Freedom’s Open Skies
Why: Glacier National Park embodies the spirit of independence, open skies, and the pioneering values many veterans cherished. Its vast mountains and reflective lakes honor those who fought for freedom.
Scattering Insight: Quiet lakeshores and remote trails offer spaces for contemplation.
Seasonal Tip: Early summer when wildflowers bloom and snow melts.
Secret Spot: Lake Josephine’s hidden shoreline.
Bonaventure Package: Glacier National Park
4. Olympic National Forest – The Pioneer Spirit of America
Why: Olympic embodies the resilience and exploration of the American pioneer spirit. Veterans and those who lived boldly can find peace in its rain-soaked forests, moss-covered trails, and sweeping mountain views.
Scattering Insight: Secluded glades create reflective, intimate moments.
Seasonal Tip: Spring and early summer for lush greenery.
Secret Spot: Hurricane Ridge overlooks.
Bonaventure Package: Olympic National Forest
5. Zion National Park – The Patriotic Beauty of Red Cliffs
Why: Zion’s towering cliffs and narrow canyons reflect strength and endurance, qualities celebrated by those who served. Its beauty inspires awe and reverence, making it a fitting tribute for anyone who loved the land.
Scattering Insight: Hidden alcoves along quieter trails offer private, sacred spaces.
Seasonal Tip: Fall provides dramatic colors and fewer visitors.
Secret Spot: Angel’s Landing overlook at sunrise.
Bonaventure Package: Zion
Call Today to Learn More: (515) 206-4845
bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
6. Mount Rainier National Park – A Bugle Call of Honor
Why: The peaks of Mount Rainier are symbolic of courage, commitment, and the dedication to others. Veterans and those devoted to service can find a profound sense of peace watching the sunrise over its snow-capped summits.
Scattering Insight: High-elevation meadows provide quiet spaces for reflection.
Seasonal Tip: Summer for wildflowers and accessibility.
Secret Spot: Skyline Trail overlooks for breathtaking vistas.
Bonaventure Package: Mount Rainier
7. Whale Trail at Ruby Beach
Why: The Pacific coastline, home to migrating whales and rugged beaches, honors the adventurous spirit of those who served and loved the freedom of open water.
Scattering Insight: Remote stretches of beach offer peaceful solitude.
Seasonal Tip: Early spring or fall for quiet waves and private moments.
Secret Spot: Tide pools tucked behind rock formations.
Bonaventure Package: Whale Trail – Ruby Beach
8. Devil’s Tower, Wyoming
Why: This striking monolith represents strength and perseverance. It’s a symbol of standing tall, much like the veterans and patriots we honor.
Scattering Insight: Meadows around the tower allow private, intimate tributes.
Seasonal Tip: Spring for mild weather and wildflowers.
Secret Spot: Northern ridge clearing for sweeping views.
Bonaventure Package: Devil’s Tower
9. Sandhill Crane Migration, Midwest
Why: Open skies and vast wetlands reflect freedom, migration, and the cyclical beauty of life—an ideal tribute for those who cherished independence and the natural world.
Scattering Insight: Remote wetlands provide private spaces for reflection.
Seasonal Tip: Late fall during migration season.
Secret Spot: Platte River wetlands.
Bonaventure Package: Sandhill Crane Migration
10. America the Beautiful Package – Three National Parks
Why: Combines multiple National Parks to honor veterans or patriots who loved the diversity of America’s landscapes. From mountains to coasts, it embodies freedom, exploration, and national pride.
Scattering Insight: Curated private locations within each park create sacred, meaningful spaces.
Seasonal Tip: Customized to family preference.
Bonaventure Package: America the Beautiful Package
Honoring Those Who Fought for Our Country
Many veterans and patriots gave their lives for freedom. Scattering ashes in the landscapes they loved allows their memory to rest among the enduring beauty they cherished. Every mountain, river, forest, and coastline in these parks becomes a testament to courage, commitment, and love for the nation. Here, families can find solace, knowing their loved one is honored in the places that embody the values they fought for and held dear.
Planning a Patriotic Ash Scattering: A Complete Guide
Honoring a loved one who served, loved America’s natural beauty, or simply cherished the freedom of the outdoors is a deeply personal act. Scattering ashes in a patriotic location—whether a National Park, historic site, or iconic landscape—creates a lasting tribute in a place that embodies the values they held dear.
This guide walks you step by step through planning a patriotic ash scattering, ensuring your loved one’s memory rests in a meaningful and beautiful setting.
1. Choose a Meaningful Location
The first step in planning a patriotic ash scattering is choosing a location that reflects the life and passions of your loved one.
National Parks: For veterans and nature lovers, National Parks are ideal. Each park carries its own history and symbolism. Yellowstone, for example, honors conservation and the vision of Teddy Roosevelt, while Glacier’s open skies reflect the freedom many cherished. Learn more about scattering ashes in National Parks.
Historic Landmarks: For those who valued history, consider sites like Pearl Harbor in Hawaii or battlefields that connect to a loved one’s story. These locations offer a deep sense of heritage and remembrance.
Personal Favorites: Sometimes the most meaningful spot is one your loved one visited frequently, where memories were made, or a place that captures their adventurous or patriotic spirit.
Tip from the Rangers: Think beyond just the beauty of the landscape. Consider how the place reflects your loved one’s life story, service, or values.
2. Secure Required Permits
Many National Parks, historical sites, and protected landscapes require permits for scattering ashes. This ensures your tribute is legal, environmentally responsible, and respectful to future visitors.
National Park Service (NPS): Visit the NPS Memorialization and Permits page to check if your chosen park requires a scattering permit. Some parks have specific areas where ash scattering is permitted.
Coastal or Marine Locations: The EPA provides guidance for burial at sea or near shorelines: EPA Burial at Sea Guidance.
Insider Tip: If your site is a popular destination, securing a permit in advance ensures privacy and avoids conflicts with other visitors.
3. Consider Season and Timing
Timing can transform a scattering ceremony into a magical, memorable experience.
Seasonal Beauty: Choose a season when the landscape shines—spring wildflowers, summer alpine blooms, fall foliage, or winter snowfields. For example, Mount Rainier’s sunrise in summer creates a breathtaking tribute, while Zion in fall offers vivid colors and fewer visitors.
Privacy and Access: Early mornings or weekdays often provide solitude. Some remote spots are only accessible during certain months due to snow, tides, or park closures.
Weather and Safety: Always check weather forecasts and trail conditions. The NPS’s 10 Essentials for Hiking is a useful guide if you plan to hike into a scattering location.
Pro Tip: Plan for flexibility. Nature can be unpredictable, and sometimes the most memorable moments come from unexpected weather, light, or quiet solitude.
4. Seek Professional Guidance
Organizing a patriotic ash scattering can be logistically complex, especially in protected or remote areas. Professional services like Bonaventure handle the details so you can focus on remembrance.
Compliance: Bonaventure ensures your scattering follows federal, state, and park-specific regulations.
Privacy: They choose secluded, respectful locations to honor your loved one.
Personalization: From coordinating multiple sites to honoring specific rituals, Bonaventure tailors the ceremony to your family’s wishes.
Learn how Bonaventure manages Destination Ash Scattering with dignity, care, and attention to every detail.
Insider Tip: Many families choose professional assistance for multi-park tributes, such as the America the Beautiful Package, which allows scattering in several National Parks in one seamless experience.
5. Add Personal Touches
The most meaningful patriotic tribute goes beyond location. Small gestures and rituals make the scattering ceremony deeply personal.
Readings and Reflections: Poems, military prayers, or personal stories create emotional resonance. Consider resources like Best Bible Verses for Funerals and Ash Scattering.
Music: Favorite songs, bugle calls, or nature-inspired music enhance the atmosphere. A sunrise on Mount Rainier accompanied by “Taps” is an unforgettable moment.
Ceremonial Gestures: Throwing ashes into a river, across a meadow, or letting the wind carry them from a mountaintop symbolizes freedom and release.
Visual Tributes: Flowers, small flags, or personal keepsakes can mark the spot or enhance photographs for family memory.
Pro Tip: Keep the ceremony reflective and simple, allowing nature itself to honor your loved one.
Bringing It All Together
Planning a patriotic ash scattering is both an act of love and a tribute to service. By choosing a meaningful location, securing permits, considering season and timing, engaging professional guidance, and adding personal touches, you create a ceremony that reflects your loved one’s life, values, and commitment to country.
Veterans, adventurers, and patriots now have a chance to rest in landscapes they loved, from the rolling plains and open skies of Glacier National Park to the red cliffs of Zion and the tranquil forests of Olympic National Forest. These are living memorials—places where memory endures, freedom is celebrated, and the beauty of the nation mirrors the beauty of a life well lived.
