A Guide to Spreading Ashes

SPREADING ASH AT SEA – Federal law regulates the spreading of ashes at sea.

  • You must be 3 nautical miles from the shore before scattering the ashes at sea. The depth of the water doesn’t matter.  
  • Only decomposable items can be scattered on the water. This includes scattering urns, wreaths, etc. 
  • Finally, after scattering ashes at sea, you should notify the EPA within 30 days of burial. Here a link to an EPA website to help with the process.

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STATE BY STATE LAWS ON SCATTERING ASHES

ALABAMA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  But use common sense in choosing locations.  Should also seek permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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ALASKA – No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  But use common sense in choosing locations.  Should also seek permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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ARIZONA – No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense and refrain from scattering ashes where they would be obvious to others.  Should also seek permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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ARKANSAS – No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  But use common sense in choosing locations.  Must have written permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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CALIFORNIA – State laws state you may scatter at a religious structure, cemetery scattering garden, or any area that has no local prohibition.  Must have written permission from private property owner or governing agency. Scattered ash must not be visible to the public. Must have written permission from private landowners or governing agency prior to scattering.  State law also states you must be 500 yards from shore at sea and may not scatter in lakes or streams.

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COLORADO - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense and refrain from scattering ashes where they would be obvious to others.    Should also seek permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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CONNECTICUT - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should also seek permission from private landowners prior to scattering.  The cremation permit must state the intended destinations of the remains.

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DELAWARE - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should seek permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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FLORIDA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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GEORGIA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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HAWAII - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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IDAHO - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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ILLINOIS - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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INDIANA - State laws state that ashes must be scattered in a designated scattering area or on the property of a consenting owner.  A form documenting the disposition must be filed to the county recorder within 10 days. You may check municipal regulations, but most just simply use their best judgement.

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IOWA - State laws actually prohibits from scattering on both public or private property without permission.

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KANSAS - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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KENTUCKY – According to Kentucky law ash may be scattered in designated scattering areas or on private property of a consenting owner.  Technically you may not scatter on public lands however that law was written with funeral services providers in mind and there are no enforcement provisions for private individuals who choose this option.   

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LOUISIANA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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MAINE – You may scatter ash on your own private property or on the property of a consenting owner.  Officially you should also request permission before scattering ashes on federal land.  Many people just use their best judgement.

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MARYLAND – You may scatter ash on your own private property or on the property of a consenting owner.  Officially you should also request permission before scattering ashes on federal land.  Many people just use their best judgement.

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MASSACHUSETTS - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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MICHIGAN - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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MINNESOTA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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MISSISSIPPI - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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MISSOURI - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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MONTANA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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NEBRASKA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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NEVADA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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NEW HAMPSHIRE - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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NEW JERSEY – You may scatter ash on your own private property or on the property of a consenting owner.  Officially you should also request permission before scattering ashes on federal land.  Many people just use their best judgement.

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NEW MEXICO - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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NEW YORK - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering. 

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NORTH CAROLINA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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NORTH DAKOTA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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OHIO - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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OKLAHOMA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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OREGON - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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PENNSYLVANIA- No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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SOUTH CAROLINA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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SOUTH DAKOTA – Must file a statement with the registrar of births and deaths if on private property or over a public waterway.  Must have written permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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TENNESSEE - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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TEXAS - No strict state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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UTAH - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

  • VERMONT - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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VIRGINIA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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WASHINGTON - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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WEST VIRGINIA - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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WISCONSIN - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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PLACES WHERE IT MIGHT BE ILLEGAL TO SPREAD ASHES – Local cities, towns, and counties may have their own rules, even if the state does not.  Best to double check.

 

WYOMING - No state laws regulating the scattering of ashes.  Use common sense in choosing locations.  Should have permission from private landowners prior to scattering.

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