Despite the differences from state to state regarding what is allowed, a few general principles usually apply.  First, all civic entities agree that the ashes and the receptacle that carried them need to be disposed of separately.  Also, ashes should not be scattered on private property without the express permission of the owner, and most public lands like city parks do not allow any disposal of remains at all.  However, “uncontrolled public lands,” like lakes or woodlands may be acceptable sites depending on the state in which they are located.

The most common place people choose to scatter ashes is in a body of water, but different rules apply depending on what type of body it is.  Regulations for scattering remains in inland waters are governed by the Clean Water Act, but the guidelines for doing the same in an ocean fall under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency, which has different regulations depending on what region of the country is involved.

Many companies offer various “burial at sea” options that allow families a wide array choices.  Some people prefer that the company take care of scattering of the ashes themselves without family or friends present while others want to plan and conduct their own memorial service on the boat.  In these instances, the company simply takes care of the logistical details, like obtaining the necessary permits and monitoring the weather.  Others prefer more of a hybrid approach to memorializing a loved one by not being present on the boat itself during the scattering but instead standing by on land to watch from the shore.

The idea of burial at sea fills many people with a romantic notion about their loved one’s ashes mingling with the currents and traveling to far-off lands.  In reality though, the ashes sink to the bottom of the ocean floor.  For those who wish to feel that their loved one’s remains are doing “more” than this, a relatively recent development has been the use of “living memorial reefs.”  Instead of simply scattering the ashes to sink to the ocean floor, they are released over a coral reef and in turn become part of the natural eco-system.  This has become a popular choice for those concerned about the environmental issues raised regarding the disposal of human remains.