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All Articles & Guides / Ashes  / What To Do With Ashes After Cremation

What to Do with Ashes After Cremation

Cremation is an affordable alternative to burial that gives you more choices than traditional burial for how to memorialize your loved one. According to the Cremation Association of America, cremation rates in the U.S. have nearly doubled since 1999, and those numbers are predicted to rise. If you’ve chosen cremation, whether for yourself in the future or for a loved one now, you may not be sure about what to do with the ashes. Here are several options, from burials to scattering ceremonies, and other unique ideas you might not have considered.

various sizes of metal cremation urns.

Burial or Placement in a Columbarium

Two of the most common answers for what to do with ashes after cremation is to place them in an urn, and then bury the urn in a cemetery or place it in a columbarium or mausoleum. A columbarium is a type of burial chamber building with small niches, which are openings designed to hold urns.

If you plan to have the urn buried, the cemetery may require you to use an urn vault or an urn burial container. These items will help protect the urn and the ashes, also known as cremains, that are placed inside.

Keeping the Cremains at Home

Many people choose to keep the ashes in an urn at home . The urn can be placed on a mantel, bookshelf, or other place of honor, and it is often part of a display of mementos related to the deceased. Many people find that creating such a display allows them to find comfort and peace, especially with their loved one’s ashes nearby. Consider selecting and engraving a personalized urn for your loved one.


Dividing the Ashes Among Family Members

If more than one person wants to keep your loved one's ashes in their home, consider purchasing keepsake or sharing urns. These are smaller containers for ashes that are available in an abundance of styles, and many can be personalized.

Scattering Ashes

For some people, scattering ashes is the answer to where to put ashes after cremation. Spreading the cremains in an area loved by the deceased can be a beautiful way to say goodbye, with the thought being that the individual will remain there forever. It’s important to note that there are laws regarding where human ashes can be scattered, and you may need to get permission or even a permit before releasing them. If you want to scatter the ashes of a loved one, make sure that you find out what the local and state laws are.

It is legal to scatter ashes in many national parks in the United States, but you may need to get permission from the ranger or superintendent. We've created a guide for scattering ashes in National Parks to help you determine which parks are viable options. You can also use our checklist to plan your scattering ashes ceremony.

Woman Scattering Ashes at Body of Water.

Scattering Gardens

Some cemeteries have scattering gardens where ashes can be spread. These gardens often include benches and memorial plaques commemorating those whose cremains were scattered there. Choosing a cemetery with a scattering garden can give loved ones closure and provide a quiet and peaceful area to gather to say goodbyes or to grieve.

Water Burials

One alternative to scattering the ashes is to organize a burial at sea. This is a particularly good solution for what to do with the cremains of individuals who loved the water. The best method is to put the ashes into a biodegradable urn that is made to dissolve when exposed to water, such as a salt urn. There are specific laws and regulations governing the scattering of ashes in the ocean and inland waterways, so do your research first and consider some helpful advice for planning a burial at sea.

Cremation Jewelry

Like keepsake urns, cremation jewelry is made to hold only a portion of the cremains – in this case, only a pinch or two. The even bigger difference is that the cremains are placed inside a pendant, ring, or another piece of jewelry that can be worn any time. Many people find this to be a great solution for what to do with cremated ashes because they can keep a memento of the deceased with them always.

Woman holding cup of coffee with cremation ring on.

Other Options for What to Do with Ashes After Cremation

Additional options for what to do with ashes include incorporating a portion of the cremains into bullets and fireworks, sending them into space, or adding them to a cement mixture that’s used to create underwater reefs. Green burials have also gained popularity over the years. There are always new ideas for what to do with ashes after cremation, so we hope we’ve guided you on your journey to create a beautiful memorial for your loved one.

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