The Popularity of National Parks: Best Destinations for Ash Scattering Services
National parks have long been a cherished part of the American landscape, offering breathtaking natural beauty, rich history, and a sense of peace and tranquility that’s hard to find anywhere else. As more families turn to destination ash scattering services to honor their loved ones, national parks have become one of the most sought-after locations for this final tribute. Whether it’s the majestic peaks of Yellowstone, the sprawling vistas of the Grand Canyon, or the lush forests of Olympic National Park, national parks are increasingly seen as the ideal backdrop for a meaningful farewell.
In this article, we’ll explore why national parks have become such a popular destination for ash scattering ceremoniesand how they’re closely tied to the growing trend of people ticking off bucket list items before they go. We’ll also highlight how services like BONAVENTURE’s ash scattering can help make these special moments possible in some of America’s most stunning locations.
National Parks: An American Treasure
The U.S. is home to some of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world, many of which are preserved in national parks across the country. With 63 national parks, each offering unique landscapes—from towering mountains and dense forests to serene lakes and winding rivers—it’s no surprise that millions of people travel to these parks every year. According to the National Park Service (NPS), in 2022, over 312 million people visited national parks, and the number continues to rise annually. These parks have become not just a place for hiking, camping, or sightseeing, but also a symbol of preservation and peace.
As the world becomes more connected and people are able to travel further and more easily, the allure of national parks as both a vacation destination and a sacred location for memorialization has grown.
A Bucket List Experience for Final Goodbyes
For many, visiting a national park is a bucket list item. These parks are iconic destinations, often representing the untouched beauty of nature. As people reflect on their lives and seek meaningful ways to honor the memory of their loved ones, national parks have become a popular choice for destination ash scattering ceremonies. Scattering ashes in a national park offers families a way to honor their loved ones in a serene and awe-inspiring environment, allowing them to create a lasting memory in a place of natural wonder.
Many people who have visited these parks during their lives have formed a deep connection with the land. For them, choosing to scatter their loved one’s ashes in these spaces becomes a deeply symbolic act, a way to return the spirit to nature and ensure that their loved one is forever linked to a place of extraordinary beauty. National parks embody both the vastness of nature and the intimate connection one can feel with the Earth, making them a fitting setting for an emotionally significant farewell.
Why National Parks Are Perfect for Ash Scattering
Stunning Scenery and Tranquility National parks offer some of the most beautiful and tranquil settings imaginable. Whether it’s the grandeur of the Grand Tetons, the vibrant fall foliage of Acadia National Park, or the peaceful waters of Lake Yellowstone, these parks provide an unparalleled backdrop for honoring a loved one. The sense of awe and wonder that these landscapes evoke enhances the significance of the scattering ceremony, turning a simple goodbye into a profound tribute.
A Meaningful Connection with Nature The act of scattering ashes in a national park allows families to feel as though they’re connecting their loved one with nature in a truly lasting way. These places, which are often protected and preserved for future generations, provide a sense of continuity and peace. It’s as if the spirit is released into the very fabric of the natural world, where it can continue to thrive and be part of the landscape forever.
Wide Range of Locations to Choose From National parks span a vast range of terrains and environments, meaning there is a perfect location for every family and every memory. From Yellowstone’s geothermal wondersto the dramatic cliffs of Zion National Park, families can choose a setting that resonates deeply with the life and passions of their loved one.
Unique and Personal Memorial Experience Choosing a national park for an ash scattering ceremony offers a level of personalization that traditional burial or memorial services can’t match. The family can plan the ceremony in a meaningful way, ensuring that it reflects the personality, values, and life experiences of the deceased. Whether they loved hiking, wildlife, or just the quiet beauty of a secluded spot in nature, national parks offer a range of locations that can serve as a perfect final resting place.
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At BONAVENTURE, we don’t just follow these shifts—we embody them.
Our ash scattering service reflects five of the top 10 funeral trends of 2025, helping families choose something more beautiful, intentional, and future-focused.
Our ash scattering services were designed for all families — whether you’re grieving a recent loss or quietly carrying a loved one’s ashes from years ago.
We offer a simple, dignified way to move from storage to ceremony, from uncertainty to closure.
If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a more meaningful way to say goodbye, you’re not alone. In fact, studies suggest that up to 20% of cremated remains are never scattered or interred — simply because families aren’t sure what to do.
68% of families want greener funeral options. BONAVENTURE offers sustainable, unaccompanied ash scattering with 10 trees planted per tribute.
A farewell that restores.
Complete Guide to Traveling with Ashes:
We'll cover everything from TSA and airline regulations, to tips for keeping your loved one’s urn secure during long car rides, to international travel considerations that help you stay in compliance with the law.
Keeping a loved one’s ashes without knowing what to do next is more common than you think. Grief has no timeline, and for many people, deciding what to do with cremains takes time—sometimes months or even years. If you’re holding onto ashes and feeling uncertain, that’s okay. You’re not alone.
But when you’re ready, giving the remains a resting place—symbolic or physical—can offer deep emotional relief. It transforms a state of holding on into a gesture of letting love go forward.
This comprehensive guide to scattering ashes at sea walks you through every step of the journey—from the practical to the profoundly meaningful.
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Is It Legal to Scatter Ashes in Yellowstone?
A Final Resting Place of Majesty
When you choose to scatter crematory ashes in Yellowstone, you’re not choosing just a location—you’re choosing an experience that reflects the power, uniqueness, and dignity of the person you're honoring. It’s where memories become part of the soil, the sky, and the water.
Why Ash Scattering Is Becoming the Preferred Tribute
Ash scattering isn’t just a trend—it’s a reflection of changing values. Families today want to celebrate life in ways that feel meaningful, intentional, and aligned with both emotional needs and environmental ethics.
45% of people now say they want their ashes scattered in a place that holds special meaning. At the same time, 65% of families are actively looking for greener memorial options.
Ash scattering beautifully honors both wishes: a sustainable farewell and a connection to the natural world.
What Are Your Options for Scattering Ashes If You Don’t Feel Close?
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There’s something transformative about returning ashes to the earth, the sky, or the sea. It’s not about erasing the loss. It’s about giving that love room to move, breathe, and flow, just like nature itself.
Whether it’s been a month or a decade, our unaccompanied ash scattering service makes it possible to say goodbye with intention. We scatter ashes at stunning natural destinations—mountain streams, forested trails, ocean cliffs, glowing shores—places where peace comes easily.
Whether you’ve been carrying ashes across moves, across years, or across grief itself—we can help release them into a natural place of peace. Ocean cliffs. Mountain lakes. Glowing shores under the stars.
According to the National Funeral Directors Association, 65% of individuals now express interest in green burials, reflecting a growing discomfort with the environmental cost of conventional practices.
Even among those who choose cremation—a method often seen as more flexible—many aren’t content with urns on mantels or columbarium walls. In fact, 45% of cremation families say they want ashes to be scattered in a meaningful, natural place. A forest trail. A mountain overlook. The shore at sunrise. These are the kinds of goodbyes people are longing for.
But what feels right emotionally isn’t always simple practically. Questions quickly arise: Where is it legal to scatter ashes? Do I need a permit? Can I even get to that place? What if I can't go alone? And then there are the emotional logistics—grief rarely arrives with a to-do list in hand.
Check Out Our Helpful Guide to Scattering Ashes Together— from choosing a location to being prepared when you get there.
Whether it's a favorite spot from life or simply a remarkable location that embodies peace and serenity, families and loved ones choose joint ash scattering memorials to ensure they rest together in a place that reflects their connection and honors their story. It’s a final tribute to a bond that lives on, in a setting as extraordinary as the life they shared.
Whether you're planning to release ashes at sea, in a national park, or on private land, it's important to know that there are legal guidelines you’ll need to follow.
Understanding these rules early in the process not only ensures you're in compliance with state and federal laws, but also helps avoid any disruption during a deeply personal and emotional ceremony. This guide breaks down the key legal considerations for cremated remains and offers helpful guidance for making the process easier.
From the beach to a rooftop bar: Follow our tips and guides below to create a Celebration of Life that’s truly one of a kind for your loved one.