Total Guide to Scattering Ashes Together

Keyhole Arch: Big Sur National Park California

Why Some Choose to Scatter Ashes Together

🌿 See Available National Park Destinations

📞 Talk to a Memorial Specialist Now: (515) 206-4845

Not everyone wants a cemetery. Not everyone wants a headstone.

Some want to be part of something bigger — a return to nature, together.

For many, the idea of a shared resting place in nature is about fulfilling a lasting wish — to be scattered in a place that’s not only beautiful but meaningful. 

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.

Why families and couples choose to scatter ashes together:

🔗 To Stay Connected
Scattering ashes together creates a shared resting place, allowing loved ones to remain side by side even after life’s journey ends.

🌿 To Return to a Place That Matters
Whether it’s the serene mountains, the peaceful ocean, or a beloved national park, scattering ashes in a location that holds personal meaning brings comfort and continuity, honoring a bond that lasts beyond time.

📖 To Create a Simple, Unified Legacy
With a joint memorial, there’s no need for multiple disconnected gravesites or plaques. One peaceful place serves as a lasting tribute, a unified legacy for the family.

🕊️ To Avoid Traditional Burials
For those who choose cremation but want an eco-conscious, non-clinical alternative to traditional burial, BONAVENTURE offers a nature-forward solution, combining elegance with environmental responsibility.

At BONAVENTURE, we understand the importance of creating a meaningful and harmonious final resting place. Our eco-friendly ash scattering services help families honor their loved ones with peace, simplicity, and connection.

A Final Resting Place, Together

For many people, the idea of a shared resting place for ashes isn’t just a preference — it’s a deeply held promise. A quiet understanding between two people, or within a family, that even after life ends, their connection will endure. 

Spouses who built a life side by side. Parents and children forever bonded. Siblings who grew up together. Friends who were more like family. They didn’t just share time — they shared meaning, memory, and love. And when the time comes, many wish to return to the earth not separately, but together, in the same place. A place that reflects not just who they were, but what they meant to one another.

One family put it this way:

"My parents always wanted to be cremated and we honored their wishes, but we never asked them where they wanted to go after that. My brother and I couldn't come up or agree on anything for years, and I didn't want to pass them along to my kids to hold onto for their entire life either, so we elected to spread the ashes in Lake Michigan — and it was a wonderful experience. 

I couldn't go to my grave not finding a final resting spot for them either. My brother and sister-in-law, bless her soul, were storing them in her garage, and I couldn't leave it that way. It bugged me enough to find a better way before I departed."

There’s so much honesty in that story — and it echoes what families around the country express every day: The longing to do right by your loved ones. To honor their connection. To find a peaceful, beautiful resting place that reflects their lives and love — and relieves the next generation from carrying the weight of uncertainty.

At BONAVENTURE, we make that possible. Our unaccompanied ash scattering services allow multiple sets of ashes to be scattered in the same location, at the same time, by request. We do it with care, dignity, and deep respect for the love that connects them.

Ashes Together: Reflecting Your Life, Keeping Promises

For many people, the idea of a shared resting place for ashes isn’t just a preference — it’s a deeply held promise. A quiet understanding between two people, or within a family, that even after life ends, their connection will endure. 

Spouses who built a life side by side. Parents and children forever bonded. Siblings who grew up together. Friends who were more like family. They didn’t just share time — they shared meaning, memory, and love. And when the time comes, many wish to return to the earth not separately, but together, in the same place. A place that reflects not just who they were, but what they meant to one another.

At BONAVENTURE, we make that possible. Our unaccompanied ash scattering services allow multiple sets of ashes to be scattered in the same location, at the same time, by request. We do it with care, dignity, and deep respect for the love that connects them.

What to Know About Joint Ash Scatterings

Can ashes be scattered together even if they arrive separately?
Yes. We can coordinate timing to ensure they’re scattered together, or even reserve a location if one person’s ashes are already resting there.

Is this legal and environmentally safe?
Absolutely. We follow all state, federal, and EPA regulations — and work with preservation experts to protect every site.

Can other loved ones be added in the future?
Yes. We keep precise records and can arrange for additional ashes to be scattered at the same GPS location later on, as requested by the family.

Planning a Joint Ash Scattering

  • Choose a location that holds meaning – A shared favorite place, a natural setting you both loved, or simply a location that feels peaceful and fitting.

  • Consider the timing – Some families scatter ashes at the same time, while others wait until all parties have passed before choosing a final resting place.

  • Keep future wishes in mind – If one loved one is still living, talk openly about their wishes and ensure the location will be accessible and appropriate for the future.

  • Use a professional service (if needed) – Companies like BONAVENTURE specialize in unaccompanied ash scattering and can help handle logistics, environmental regulations, and documentation — especially helpful for distant locations or when travel is difficult.

    📍 Know the Legal & Environmental Rules

    Before you scatter, make sure you're following any necessary regulations:

    • At sea: The EPA requires ashes to be scattered at least 3 nautical miles from shore and reported within 30 days.

    • Inland: National and state parks often require permits or have designated areas.

    • Avoid scattering on private or sacred Indigenous land without permission.
      💡 Tip: BONAVENTURE handles all permitting and legal compliance if you use our service.

    🗺️ Choose the Right Location

    Select a place that reflects your connection:

    • A shared vacation spot

    • A natural setting that brought peace or joy

    • A place that will be accessible for surviving loved ones
      Consider if the location might change (e.g., be developed, closed to the public) in the future.

    ⏳ Consider the Timing

    You can scatter ashes:

    • At the same time, if both individuals have passed

    • In phases, with one person’s ashes kept safe until the other is ready

    • In a shared ceremony, where ashes are co-mingled and scattered as one
      Talk openly and plan ahead if one partner is still living.

    🧭 Plan the Ceremony

    Create a moment that feels personal and intentional:

    • Choose a reading, song, or prayer that resonates

    • Write and share a letter or reflection

    • Invite loved ones to share memories

    • Bring biodegradable flowers, petals, or keepsakes (if permitted)

    👥 Assign Roles & Clarify the Plan

    To avoid confusion or discomfort during the ceremony:

    • Designate who will speak, scatter, or lead any rituals

    • Decide in advance if you’ll have a quiet private moment or invite participation

    • Consider documenting the experience through photos, video, or journaling

    🧳 Pack Thoughtfully

    Prepare for the elements and terrain:

    • Bring a small scoop or scattering container

    • Check the wind direction before beginning

    • Pack water, sunscreen, and any needed accessibility support

    • Record the GPS coordinates if desired

Do’s and Don’ts of Scattering Ashes Together

✅ Do:

  • Get permission if scattering on private land or in a regulated area like a national park.

  • Use a scattering urn or container that allows for gentle release, especially in windy areas.

  • Be mindful of the wind direction to avoid blowback.

  • Say a few words or bring a token (such as flowers or a small biodegradable item) to mark the moment.

  • Document the location for personal records or future family members. BONAVENTURE provides exact GPS coordinates when you use our service.

❌ Don’t:

  • ❌ Don’t scatter ashes in busy or high-traffic areas (like near trails, parks, or where people swim).

  • ❌ Don’t pour ashes directly into water without checking state and federal guidelines (the EPA requires notification within 30 days for ocean burials).

  • ❌ Don’t assume all natural areas allow scattering — always check local laws or consult a professional.

A Shared Place of Peace

Whether you’re planning ahead or holding onto ashes today, you deserve to know there’s a way to honor this desire:
To rest together. In beauty. In nature. In peace.

At BONAVENTURE, we’re honored to help make that happen.

To Recap:

As you plan a joint scattering, there are a few important logistical and ceremonial considerations to keep in mind. Understand local and federal regulations — for example, if scattering at sea (beyond three nautical miles), the EPA requires notification within 30 days, and inland sites like national parks often have their own permitting processes.

If you're planning a small family-led ceremony, it’s helpful to scout the location in advance for accessibility, privacy, and environmental suitability (no busy trails, protected wildlife zones, or sacred Indigenous land). Think about what you want to say or share in the moment — select readings, quotes, music, or rituals that reflect your shared values and create a sense of closure. Some families also choose to write a letter to the departed or bring symbolic objects like flowers or stones (be sure they’re biodegradable if left behind).

If multiple people are involved, clarify roles ahead of time — who will speak, who will scatter, who will capture the moment (if photos are desired), so no one feels unsure on the day. And finally, always bring what you need: wind-checking materials, a small biodegradable scoop or container, water if hiking, and a way to document the exact location (for your own remembrance or future family use).

How BONAVENTURE Makes It Possible

We understand that these wishes come from a sacred place. That’s why we’ve created a process that is simple, secure, and thoughtful from beginning to end.

1. Choose a Scattering Location

Select from over 18 stunning natural destinations — including national parks, quiet coastlines, mountain ridges, or desert skies.

🌿 See Available National Park Destinations

2. Request Your Free USPS Cremains Kit

Order a USPS-compliant kit (for each individual). Each includes complete instructions and all required packaging — no guesswork.

3. Coordinate a Joint Scattering

Let us know you’d like ashes to be scattered together — whether they arrive at the same time, or separately over time. We keep detailed records and honor all shared memorial requests.

📞 Talk to a Memorial Specialist Now: (515) 206-4845

Keywords: ash scattering memorials, scatter ashes together, unaccompanied ash scattering, return ashes to nature, what to do with crematory ashes, eco-conscious memorials

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Eco-Friendly Memorials: Returning Ashes to Nature with Grace

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How to Scatter Ashes in a National Park (Legally & Lovingly)