What to Do with Cremated Ashes?
When a loved one passes, the physical remains can leave you feeling just as lost as the emotions that follow. After the cremation, you’re left with a small urn or container holding their ashes—and with it, the overwhelming question: What do I do next?
For many, the decision of what to do with cremation ashes can feel like a heavy, emotional weight. You don’t want to make the wrong choice, but the options are often unclear. You might even feel confused or unsure about whether keeping them at home is the right option.
If you’ve found yourself wondering what to do with crematory ashes, you’re not alone. Many people feel this same uncertainty and emotional burden. And sometimes, just deciding to move forward can be the hardest step.
At BONAVENTURE, we understand the struggle—and we’re here to help.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Talk to a Memorial Specialist Now: (515) 206-4845
Honoring a Life with Beauty and Intention
For many people, the opportunity to scatter a loved one’s ashes in a beautiful, natural place feels like a profound honor. It’s a way to say thank you, to give someone a peaceful and meaningful farewell, and to connect their memory with a place that feels alive. Families often share how comforting it is to know that their loved one now rests in a setting filled with light, movement, and serenity—whether it’s a mountain lake, a quiet forest, or the edge of the sea.
“We had an agreement, to have her scattered into the wide creek that flows to the ocean we loved to visit. Now every time I’m down that way with our son, we drive by and say hello.”
For those who are able to fulfill this kind of wish, the experience can be healing—an act of closure that replaces heaviness with peace.
The Hesitation: Why It’s So Hard to Make a Decision
For some, the thought of keeping ashes at home brings discomfort or even a sense of unease. One person shared,
"My brother just passed away. I really don’t want to keep the ashes in my home.”
Others feel like they’re stuck between honoring a loved one’s memory and the emotional weight of holding onto the remains. As another person reflected,
"His ashes came home in a box (‘What a nice box. I wonder if I could use this for something’), which sat on a shelf in my closet for a year. It felt unfinished. Stuck. Limbo. I found it creepy to display the ashes as a shrine or keepsake.”
These feelings are valid. It’s not uncommon to feel torn between honoring your loved one and trying to find a place for the ashes where they don’t feel out of place. There’s a sense of wanting to let go but not knowing how. For some, just the act of moving the ashes from the shelf or closet feels like taking that first step—but it’s a step that’s hard to take alone.
What’s the Right Choice for You?
Maybe you’ve considered scattering the ashes, but the logistics feel daunting. Where should you go? How can you make it meaningful? And if you don’t feel emotionally ready to take that step, what happens next?
As one person shared,
"I told myself that I'd cast them into the wind overlooking San Francisco city or Yosemite, and three years later her ashes are still with me. I’m pretty much presuming that original planning will stay in the planning phase forever.”
The truth is, there is no timeline for when you should make that decision. Grief doesn’t follow a set path. It’s personal, unpredictable, and can ebb and flow like the tide. The important thing is that you don’t have to do it alone—and you don’t have to carry that decision-making burden by yourself.
Let Us Help You Honor Your Loved One’s Memory
At BONAVENTURE, we specialize in helping families honor their loved ones in a way that’s meaningful, peaceful, and simple. We offer unaccompanied ash scattering services in some of the world’s most beautiful and serene locations—from the pristine shores of a bioluminescent beach to the quiet, peaceful waters of a glacier-fed lake. If you’ve been holding onto ashes for too long and feel unsure about what to do next, let us take the weight of the planning off your shoulders.
We understand that it’s difficult to make decisions in a time of grief. But with BONAVENTURE, you can take comfort in knowing that we’ll handle all the logistics, from choosing the perfect location to ensuring the scattering ceremony is documented and respectful.
For some, the idea of scattering ashes at a location that meant something special to them brings a sense of closure and peace. One family shared,
“We had an agreement, to have her scattered into the wide creek that flows to the ocean we loved to visit. Now every time I’m down that way with our son, we drive by and say hello.”
We can help you fulfill these final wishes—whether you’re ready to move forward or need some time. With tracked shipping, our team will handle the urn with care and ensure everything is done as planned.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Talk to a Memorial Specialist Now: (515) 206-4845
You Don’t Have to Carry the Weight Alone
At BONAVENTURE, we make it easy for you to honor your loved one’s memory without the added stress. Our compassionate team is here to guide you every step of the way, making the entire process as seamless as possible.
If you’ve been struggling with what to do with your loved one’s ashes, now may be the perfect time to take the next step. Let us take care of the details, so you can focus on the meaningful part: remembering and honoring their life.
Contact BONAVENTURE today, and let us help you find peace in letting go.
Conclusion: Finding Comfort in Letting Go
You don’t have to feel lost or stuck when it comes to making decisions about crematory ashes. At BONAVENTURE, we’re here to support you through the process, with empathy, care, and respect. Whether you need help choosing the right location, arranging the ceremony, or simply navigating this emotional journey, we’re here for you.
Let us handle the planning, so you can focus on healing and cherishing the memory of your loved one.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Talk to a Memorial Specialist Now: (515) 206-4845
How BONAVENTURE Makes It Simple and Beautiful
At BONAVENTURE, we specialize in unaccompanied ash scattering ceremonies in some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the country. We take care of the entire process—so you can focus on the tribute, not the paperwork.
✅ We Handle Every Legal Requirement
From national park permits to EPA reporting, our team ensures complete legal compliance with care and precision.
📍 18 Breathtaking, Pre-Approved Locations
From Yellowstone’s vast valleys to Hawaiʻi’s glowing volcanic shores, our destinations are chosen for their natural beauty and spiritual resonance.
📦 From Home to Tribute—We Handle It All
Free USPS Cremains Kit
All permits and ceremony planning managed by our team
Quiet, scheduled scattering with deep respect
🪵 A Lasting Keepsake for Your Family
Each family receives a handcrafted wooden plaque with:
The name of your loved one
GPS coordinates of the scattering site
Optional inlaid ashes sealed on the back
Plan with Confidence. Mourn with Peace.
You shouldn’t have to choose between honoring a life well lived and navigating red tape. At BONAVENTURE, we make it possible to do both—with reverence, beauty, and full legal compliance.
🌿 See Available National Park Destinations →
📞 Speak to a Memorial Specialist: (515) 206-4845
📧 bonaventurememorial@gmail.com
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💬 Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is it legal to scatter ashes?
Yes. In most cases, scattering ashes is completely legal—as long as you follow location-specific guidelines. National parks typically require a permit, sea scatterings must follow EPA regulations, and private property requires the owner’s permission. BONAVENTURE handles all of this for you.
❓ Are ashes bad luck?
No—ashes are not bad luck. But it’s understandable why some people feel uncertain. For many families, keeping ashes at home brings discomfort or a sense of being “stuck.” Scattering ashes in a beautiful, natural place often brings a deep sense of peace, healing, and closure. It’s not about superstition—it’s about finding a way to say goodbye that feels meaningful.
❓ Can we choose where the ashes are scattered?
Yes. BONAVENTURE offers 18 stunning, pre-approved natural destinations across the U.S.—including Yellowstone, Mount Rainier, Ruby Beach, and Glacier National Park. We also offer combo packages for those who want to incorporate multiple iconic locations.
❓ What if we can’t attend the scattering?
That’s okay. BONAVENTURE’s service is designed to be unaccompanied. We’ll handle everything with care and provide a handcrafted memorial plaque with your loved one’s name, GPS coordinates of the scattering, and an optional inlay of ashes.
❓ How do we get the ashes to you?
Use a free USPS Cremains Kit available online or at your local USPS store. It’s secure, trackable, and designed specifically for shipping ashes. Follow the instructions to safely ship ashes to us. After we receive them, they are never out of our possession.
❓ Will we receive anything afterward?
Yes. Every BONAVENTURE ceremony includes a personalized wooden memorial plaque engraved with your loved one’s name and the exact coordinates of where their ashes were scattered. It’s a beautiful, tangible reminder of both memory and place.
❓ Can I scatter ashes in more than one location?
Yes. Many families choose to divide ashes and scatter them in multiple places that were significant to their loved one. BONAVENTURE offers combo packages like:
America the Beautiful Package: Badlands, Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons
Return to Nature Package: Mount Rainier, Olympic National Forest, Ruby Beach
These curated itineraries create a multi-location tribute that reflects a life filled with travel, wonder, and meaning.
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