What Are Your Options for Scattering Ashes If You Don’t Feel Close?

If you find yourself holding ashes for someone you weren’t close to, there are several thoughtful ways to handle the situation.

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.

For some, the thought of keeping ashes at home feels unsettling or just doesn't feel right. But the truth is, you don't have to do this alone.

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.

How do you legally scatter ashes in a national park? What rules should you follow?

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 misty redwood groves to sparkling Pacific coves, the West Coast offers some of the most breathtaking and spiritually resonant landscapes in the world. For families who want to say goodbye in a way that feels natural, peaceful, and deeply meaningful, West Coast ash scattering ceremonies are an increasingly popular choice.

At BONAVENTURE, we specialize in eco-conscious, unaccompanied ash scattering services at stunning natural destinations across the nation. Whether you’re honoring a lifelong hiker, sailor, artist, or ocean lover, we offer a peaceful return to nature—without the stress of planning everything alone.

This guide will walk you through what you need to know about memorializing your pet’s ashes, covering everything from cremation options to creative ways to memorialize them.

The act of scattering cremains can be a deeply sentimental gesture, allowing families to say goodbye in a way that reflects the deceased's spirit and passions.

However, while this practice is emotionally powerful, it also raises important environmental questions.

While scattering ashes amid the monarchs is a beautiful and symbolic gesture, there are several practical factors and important considerations for families who wish to make this tribute a reality. From timing and location to logistics and ceremony planning, here’s what you need to know to ensure a respectful and meaningful ash scattering experience.

Bonaventure currently scatters ashes at the Neal Smith Wildlife area in Iowa, but we’ve also provided a meaningful guide to help you with this scattering no matter where you choose to honor your loved one.

When it comes to the cremation of smaller animals, the process can differ in terms of facility requirements, the amount of ashes returned, and available memorialization options. However, many pet cremation services have adapted to these needs by offering specialized services tailored to small pets.

This article will explore the challenges specific to small pet cremation, the cremation process, and the available options for memorialization.

The peaceful ascent of a hot air balloon is the perfect backdrop for a final tribute for an ash scattering.

This unique and breathtaking experience combines the serenity of flight with the beauty of nature, creating a deeply personal and meaningful way to honor your loved one’s memory.

In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits, options, and key considerations involved in prepaying for cremation, and how families can make sure their loved one’s wishes are respected without the financial stress during an already difficult time.

BONAVENTURE’s National Parks Ash Scattering Service offers a unique opportunity to honor your loved one in three of the country’s most iconic and breathtaking parks—Yellowstone, Badlands, and Grand Teton—for the exceptional value of two.

This remarkable tribute weaves together the beauty of nature and the memory of your loved one, creating a memorial as extraordinary as they were.

In this guide, we explore these two options in-depth, weighing the benefits of each. We’ll also discuss the growing flexibility of cremation, including the option to divide cremated remains for different family members or memorialization purposes.

Our goal is to offer clarity, comfort, and insight for families navigating this important decision.

In this guide, we will explore the physical characteristics of cremated remains, including their color, texture, and composition, as well as common misconceptions surrounding cremation ashes.