For families who have chosen cremation services in Steubenville & Wintersville, OH for a loved one, the next decision involves what to do with the remains or ashes. Some choose to keep the cremated remains or ashes in their home, have them placed in a columbarium niche at a local cemetery, or scatter the ashes in a meaningful place.

Cremation provides families with more time to arrange where and how to scatter the ashes. While there is no policing agency overseeing scattering, there are some basics you should know:

• If you plan on scattering ashes on private property, it's smart to receive written permission from the owner.
• Public parks require that you obtain a scattering permit.
• There are no regulations regarding ash scattering on uncontrolled public lands; you need to use your own judgment.
• You should not scatter ashes within 100 yards of public roads or trails.
• The cremation container must be disposed of separately and in an environmentally-safe manner.
• Scattering ashes in inland waters is governed by the Clean Water Act so it's important to obtain a permit from the agency that oversees waterways.
• Ash scattering at sea must be done at a minimum of three nautical miles from the coastline.
• Any flowers or wreaths used in the ash scattering ceremony held at sea must decompose. No plastic flowers or other non-decomposable items should be left behind.
• For ash scattering done at sea, the Environmental Protection Agency requires that you notify the regional office in writing within 30 days after the event.

An ash scattering ceremony is a beautiful way for friends and family to gather and say goodbye to a loved one. Many families find the act of spreading ashes is a meaningful way to find closure and release.

If you would like to plan an ash scattering ceremony, there are many decisions to be made and certain steps that should be followed. First and foremost, before you can begin planning an ash scattering ceremony, you need to decide upon a location. This a very important step because depending on the location, there may be certain regulations to follow or permits to obtain.

Regardless of the type of scattering ashes ceremony, it is always important to remember to be considerate of others. If you will be spreading the ashes in a public space, you almost always need some form of permit or written permission beforehand.

Below, we have compiled a collection of important information about ash scattering services. As always, if you have any questions about how to scatter ashes or need help planning a ceremony, please feel free to contact us .