http://www.obit-mag.com/articles/scatter-patter-some-thoughts-on-ashes

The Scatter Patter - some thoughts on the scattering of ashes from Obit Magazine

What do you want to do with the ashes of your loved one?

Once the funeral is over and you have the ashes of your loved one, there are quite a few different ways you can dispose of the ashes which are respectful and may help with the grieving process.

• They can be interred in a family gravesite of placed in a niche in a columbarium wall in a local cemetery
• They can be sprinkled on the crematorium's rose garden
• Or, you may wish to sprinkle them in a family garden, park or bushland that may have been special to the loved one
• A specially made birdbath can be used with the ashes filling a void in the base.  This is sealed and then the birdbath becomes a permanent memorial in your garden
• Ashes can be turned into diamond like gem stones.  There are several companies who offer this service and a search on the internet will provide a choice.  One is www.ashesintoglass.co.uk
• Scattering of ashes over a favourite piece of water is a popular option.  With permission, ashes may be scattered at sea or in a lake or river.
• Ashes may become part of a memorial reef, or sunk to the bottom of the ocean in a slowly dissolving, eco-friendly container.
• Trenching is putting the ashes in a shallow hole in the ground and then covering them.  Often used at a favourite outdoor spot.
• Beaching is selecting a quite, remote beach and burying the ashes in the sand.  Friends and family can watch as the tide comes in and washes the ashes out to sea.
• Some sports lovers request that their ashes be scattered at their favourite sports club. You will need to get permission of course.
• Ashes can be sent into the sky in a fireworks rocket.  One company that provides this service is Pyro Oz at www.1300fireworks.com.
• Ashes can  also be scattered from an aeroplane. One company is  www.memoryflight.com.au
• Made into a vinyl record. www.andvinyly.com
• They can be placed into the foundations of a building which has special links to the deceased
• The ashes can help a tree to grow by being placed into a biodegradable urn under a newly planted sapling.  In time, the urn disintegrates and the ashes help to feed the roots of the tree.

Different Ways to approach the Scattering of Ashes

We need to have a memorable and meaningful way to deal with the ashes after the funeral of a loved one. The scattering of ashes is among the most popular as opposed to the more traditional form of burial. Since ashes can be easily stored and also spread or distributed, virtually any place that has meaning to the deceased is a good place to scatter the ashes.

However, it is not always that easy to simply go on with spreading ashes. Because depending on the state or the country that you are in, there are certain laws to be followed when it comes to the disposal of the ashes. Yet there are five main methods of scattering ashes.

Burial : The ashes are stored in an urn, some people say that it should be biodegradable, but any urn would suffice. Make sure that it will be buried deep enough so that not even dogs can accidentally dig it out. This is important especially if the location is not a normal burial site and simply a place that had a special part in the decease’s life.

Trenching:This is achieved by digging a small and narrow trench on the beach, preferably along the line where the high tide waters will eventually wash everything away. The ashes are then poured into the trench and then covered with sand. When high tide comes in, the sea water will wash the trench away including the ashes.
The trench can be made into different meaningful shapes or even words. Some people shape the trench into a heart or form the name of the deceased.

Casting:This is when the ashes are scattered through the wind. Always make sure that you are scattering ashes down wind, so that it will be blown away from people. Release the ashes below waist height to avoid spreading it to other people.
It is ideal to have only one person to scatter the ashes, but taking turns is also acceptable. If a whole group is going to do it, consider distributing the ashes in separate smaller urns.

Raking: There are burial gardens specifically for this purpose. You can slowly scatter the ashes on the ground and then rake it to spread the ashes evenly. Not only will the ashes be easily dispersed, but you can cover a wider area with it.

Burial at sea: This is perhaps the first thing that comes to our minds when we think of spreading ashes. This can be done either at the beach or on the ocean. Consider using a specifically made scattering urn to make the process more efficient and to avoid any mishaps.

After the ashes have been scattered, it is common practice to throw flowers, petals or wreaths into the waters.
There are other ways to scatter the ashes but what remains the same are the solemnity and the memorability of the moment. Remember to check regarding the legality of the location where you will be spreading the ashes.