What You Need to Know about Scattering Your Loved One's Ashes
Scattering your loved one’s cremated remains in an open field, a body of water, or anywhere else that held significance to the individual can make for a personal and memorable tribute. While those making funeral arrangements have many options for scattering cremated remains in California, they do not have free reign. To ensure that you stay within the framework of the law as you make plans to scatter your loved one’s ashes, continue reading.
Permit Requirements
An individual must obtain a permit for the disposition of human remains from the Cemetery and Funeral Bureau of California before scattering a loved one’s ashes. The name and address of the cemetery or other location at which the remains will be scattered must be stated on the permit. For disposition of remains in the Pacific Ocean, the location is “burial at sea.” This permit must be filed with a registrar of births and deaths within 10 days of the disposition in the district where the scattering was held.
Restricted Locales
California offers great freedom for residents scattering the cremated remains of loved ones. Unless a local prohibition exists in a location, you just need the permission of the property owner or governing agency responsible for the land on which you wish to scatter the remains in order to obtain the legal right to do so.
At Sea
Scattering ashes in the Pacific is allowed. A permit for this can be easily obtained, but the scattering must not take place within 500 yards of the shoreline. Boats or other vessels from which cremated remains are scattered must be registered with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
On Land
Before remains are scattered, they must be removed from their holding containers. Once ashes have been scattered, their presence must not be recognizable to the public.
Are you a resident of the East Bay area who is looking for a scenic location for the disposition of your loved one’s ashes? Chapel of the Chimes Hayward has a well-maintained cemetery where your loved one’s ashes can be returned to the earth. We also have cremation niches, benches, and fully customized monuments where your loved one’s ashes can be interned. To find out more about our services and facilities, call (866) 475-9407.
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