Families are sometimes undecided as to what to do with the ashes.  Deciding between storing or scattering the deceased’s ashes is an important decision and there are many factors to consider.

There are a number of options available to you as to how you might store, and/or scatter the ashes.

Memorialisation is a tribute to the deceased, and also a service to the living. The emotional value of establishing a permanent place to visit is worthy of consideration. The gesture of visiting a site and seeing the deceased’s name can provide comfort.  Memorialisation is not just for family and friends, but for everyone whose lives were touched by the deceased. It is also for the generations that follow who will want to connect with their heritage.  Without memorialisation, all traces of the deceased are lost forever.

Burying or Entombment of Ashes: The cremated remains may be buried in a burial or cremation plot (sometimes alongside the remains of another family member), in a Garden of Remembrance in a recorded but unmarked position, placed in a columbarium niche (a structure with small recessed compartments for placing urns containing cremation ashes), or entombed in a crypt within a mausoleum (a building which is designed for the interment of deceased people).

If you choose to take the ashes away with you, you can take your time in reaching a decision.

  • The ashes could remain in an urn, memorial frame, jewellery or teddy bear.
  • They could be divided amongst members of the family.
  • They could be scattered in a garden.
  • They could be scattered at sea, in rivers or on mountains.
  • They could be scattered at a place close to the deceased’s heart.
    If you intend to scatter the ashes in any public place, or on private land, you must obtain the permission of the landowner. You should also check that there are no restrictions on scattering ashes in your chosen location. It’s also worth considering the following practical points:
  • If you are planning a small ceremony to mark the scattering, will you be interrupted if the location is a public one?
  • Will the conditions make scattering difficult (e.g. a windy mountain top or an incoming tide)?

Storage of Ashes: The long term storage of ashes can be provided for in a variety of personalised forms, (Urns, Jewellery, Memorial Frames, Teddy Bears, etc.).  These items are basically sealed ‘containers’ that are meant to hold the cremated remains of the deceased.

Purchasing a cremation urn, however, is not mandatory, as the ashes can also be collected in a temporary container provided by the crematorium.

Scattering of Ashes:  Scattering is an irreversible process and you should consider if you want to have a ‘once only’ scattering, or do you want to keep some ashes to scatter on anniversaries or special occasions.  It could be that you are planning to move to a new location and would like to scatter some ashes nearby.

See the section ‘Scattering of Ashes’ on our website for more information.

If you are unsure of which option you prefer, don’t be rushed into making a decision you may come to regret at a later time.

Please visit our online shop to purchase ‘Cremation Urns‘ , ‘Scattering Urns‘ or ‘Memorial Items’.

Please use our Business Directory Search facility to find ‘Monumental Stonemasons’.