We understand that many of you don’t like the idea of talking about death with your loved ones. Thinking about losing your beloved family member or friend may be too painful, and it’s easier to avoid such conversations even if the death may be imminent.

Regardless, we would like to encourage you to have a difficult end-of-life planning discussion with your loved one. In fact, consider using Smart Cremation’s free cremation planning guide to help you and your family come up with a worry-free, affordable cremation plan. 

As a part of your discussion, make sure you ask your loved one about where he or she wishes to lay at rest for eternity. While some may prefer to have their ashes interred in a cemetery or columbarium niche, others may want to have their remains scattered at a meaningful place. 

Tips for Making a Cremation Plan/Scattering Plan

We would like to give you some tips on making the act as meaningful and stress-free as possible. Here are some things to consider when planning your loved one’s scattering ceremony. 

1. Keep the phone number for Smart Cremation nearby when death is imminent.

We highly encourage you to have a specific plan as to what happens after your loved one’s death. The moments following death are emotional, and making important decisions after death occurs is extremely difficult. 

If you choose to use Smart Cremation, make sure that multiple people in your family have our number. As soon as the death occurs, call 844-815-2508. Our staff will take care of the transportation and will walk you through the details of what needs to be done next.

2. Check regulations for the scattering site.

Once you have received the cremated remains from Smart Cremation, you are free to continue with your scattering plan. Your first step is to research the regulations for the scattering site. 

Scattering on private property is acceptable in most areas, as long as the property owner knows that the scattering is taking place. Distribution is discouraged on private properties, such as amusement parks, sports venues, and national monuments. Check with a park ranger if you plan to scatter the remains about a National Park. Consult a local or state official if you wish to scatter cremains in a city, county, or state recreation area. Cremated remains may be sprinkled in the ocean as long as you are three nautical miles from the shore.

You don’t want your scattering ceremony disrupted by an official. Avoid this by getting permission ahead of time. 

3. Purchase a scattering urn.

While the scattering can be done from any receptacle, you can simplify the process by using a scattering urn. These urns allow you to transport the cremated remains securely. Once you arrive at the scattering site, you can simply open the tube to sprinkle out the contents.

4. Have a flexible schedule.

Scattering your loved one’s ashes on a windy, rainy, or cold day can lead to a negative experience. While you’ll need to provide a specific time and place for the event to occur, you may also want to have a back-up date if the weather does not cooperate.

5. Make the scattering meaningful.

You may have said your formal goodbyes at your loved one’s funeral, but the experience of scattering cremains may feel much more emotional and personal. Some people only ask immediate family members and close friends to the scattering event, and this may cause people to open up and speak from the heart. 

Even though you may not want to plan an entire program around the scattering, you may want to have some ideas of the order of events. For example, you may first want to thank attendees for coming and read a verse or poem that expresses how you feel. You then may want to give others a chance to say something about your loved one (having issued them a prior warning to think about what they want to say.) Finally, you may consider having the group sing or listen to a song that has special meaning. 

You may also want to plan how the cremated remains will be freed from the receptacle. Be aware of the wind’s direction and decide whether one person will have the experience or if you plan to take turns with the others present.

6. Have emotional support with you.

Some of you may wish to complete the scattering process on your own. While we understand that you want this moment to be extremely private, you may also consider how you will feel driving home from the event without anyone else to support you. 

For more tips on pre-planning your loved one’s funeral and other end-of-life services, visit Smart Cremation’s website.