Cremation is becoming an increasingly common end-of-life choice. Thanks to a breadth of factors - from increased religious acceptance to burial space considerations - the practice has nearly doubled in popularity over the past 15 years.
As more people have chosen cremation, a variety of options for handling the ashes have increased in popularity to accompany the practice. One of these options is scatter gardens.
Scatter gardens are designated places where the family and friends of the deceased can scatter the ashes of their loved one. These gardens are often beautiful spots. They're picturesque and peaceful areas tended to by a cemetery, designed to offer a beautiful final resting place for those whose ashes are spread there.
Is it Against the Law to Spread Ashes?
Like with most things related to funerals and burials, there are laws regarding where and how you can spread cremated remains. These laws also differ depending on where you live. We recommend consulting a cemetery near you. And when searching for a cemetery, be sure to consider one with a scatter garden.
Why Choose a Scatter Garden?
For those who choose cremation, there are several benefits to having ashes placed in a scatter garden.
Scatter Gardens Make The Process Simpler for Loved Ones
First, a scatter garden makes the process of dispersing ashes as easy as possible for the loved ones of the deceased. While the idea of scattering ashes in a public area may sound nice, there are actually a variety of laws to consider when doing so. In many public areas, scattering remains is illegal.
Choosing a scatter garden means that family members and loved ones will not have to consider these issues during their time of grief. Instead, they'll be able to feel peace, as the process is made easy for them and they aren't forced to deal with questions of legality.
Scatter Gardens Can Reduce Environmental Impact
Additionally, scatter gardens provide an option that is more environmentally friendly than scattering at other sites. While there are public and private sites that do legally allow for the scattering of ashes, remains can have a negative impact on the environment. That's because they commonly contain mercury and dioxins.
At a scatter garden, however, the plot of land where ashes are scattered is carefully maintained so that the environmental impact of the remains is mitigated.
Scatter Gardens Can Provide a Sense of Closure and Connection
Finally, choosing a scatter garden can lend a sense of closure to loved ones of the deceased. As we've mentioned before, some people may find that cremation doesn't give them the traditional sense of connection and closure that traditional burial methods provide. If ashes are scattered in air or water, for example, there is often no place for loved ones to come to remember the deceased.
Dispersing at a scatter garden allows family and friends to have a sense of closure, and gives them a place to return to in order to remember and celebrate their loved one. This is often enhanced by memorial options at scatter gardens, such as plaques, engravings, or benches that offer remembrances of the people resting there.
Find a Scatter Garden Near You
If you think that choosing a scatter garden may be right for you, find a cemetery that offers this option in your area.
These options are personal choices. Whether you choose a scatter garden or a different option, make sure that you choose to give your loved ones the gift of pre-planning so that everything will be taken care of during their time of grief. Get our free kit to get the information to make the best decision for you and your loved ones.
