Ash scattering
Sep 11th, 2006, 11:02 AM
#1
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Ash scattering
I have the sad task of bringing my friend's ashes to Oahu for scattering. Does anyone have any knowledge/experience of whom to contact? I have found a few web sites, but they seem a bit sleazy/cheesey...
Any advice would be appreciated.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Sep 11th, 2006, 11:23 AM
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We flew (pre-9/11) with ashes from Tennessee to Sydney, Australia, and spread them in the harbour there. We traveled with the ashes sealed from the crematorium and had a copy of the death certificate in case there were any questions along the way (there weren't).
Unless you're planning a service of some kind, you probably don't need any assistance. But it wouldn't hurt to contact a local funeral director as recommended, just in case.
My condolences.
Unless you're planning a service of some kind, you probably don't need any assistance. But it wouldn't hurt to contact a local funeral director as recommended, just in case.
My condolences.
Sep 11th, 2006, 11:27 AM
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I agree that the funeral director/home can be a big help. My MIL lived in CA, and after her death my DH wanted to scatter her ashes in her favorite place there. We found out from the funeral home that it was not allowed.
Sep 11th, 2006, 11:36 AM
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I have done this 3 times on Oahu, once for my sister who lived there and twice with her for friends of ours who wanted their ashes scattered under Diamond Head. Never contacted anyone, just went very early in the morning at sunrise and scattered ashes in ocean from the beach and put leis on the water.
Sep 11th, 2006, 11:43 AM
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I agree that if you are doing it yourself, do not tell anyone because of legal issues.
If I misunderstand and you are looking for someone else to do it, an understanding funeral director will likely find a way to make it happen. We found a funeral director in very rural Maine at my father's favorite fly-in fishing spot who scattered his ashes there - probably it would have legally been considered pollution and illegal, but I predict you will be able to find an equally caring and understanding funeral director.
As far as ash transportation, there is no regulation I know of to prevent transportation of ashes and in fact they are shipped UPS all the time (no kidding, my father arrived in a brown box on the UPS truck - it provided some humor in our sad time)
If I misunderstand and you are looking for someone else to do it, an understanding funeral director will likely find a way to make it happen. We found a funeral director in very rural Maine at my father's favorite fly-in fishing spot who scattered his ashes there - probably it would have legally been considered pollution and illegal, but I predict you will be able to find an equally caring and understanding funeral director.
As far as ash transportation, there is no regulation I know of to prevent transportation of ashes and in fact they are shipped UPS all the time (no kidding, my father arrived in a brown box on the UPS truck - it provided some humor in our sad time)
Sep 11th, 2006, 12:02 PM
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I have tried to look into this myself, and most of the information available on the internet seems to be provided by companies that do this for a fee. They try very hard to convince you that theirs is the only legal way, so you will hire them to do what you can do yourself. Many national parks allow you to scatter ashes (you are supposed to get a permit). Scattering on the ocean is also fine, although some places require you to be a certain distance offshore (so you would need to hire a boat). Scattering on private land is fine as long as you have permission from the owner. The only place I have found it to be actually prohibited is in some state parks (this varies by state) and in national forests---but as mentioned, you just have to be discrete.
The main issue, I think, is the emotional one---do you want to do this yourself, or would you feel better to have someone else actually open the container and do the scattering?
The main issue, I think, is the emotional one---do you want to do this yourself, or would you feel better to have someone else actually open the container and do the scattering?
Sep 11th, 2006, 12:34 PM
#10
http://www.oahucemetery.org/cremation_faq.html
This cemetary web site says you can scatter ashes on private land as long as you have the consent of the landowneer- no city or state permit is required. Sea scatter is legal and is done all the time, often from an outrigger canoe, boat or surfboard. There are catamarans that take people out from Waikiki Beach for $20 a head. Maybe you could hire the whole boat (they seem to have about 10 people in a typical load) and ask them to go to an appropriate spot.
You could also call one of the canoe clubs- Outrigger, Lokahi, Waikiki beach Bois; google them - and ask if they'll row you out for a fee. You can get lei everywhere; in Chinatown, On King street near UH or even Safeway or Walmart.
This cemetary web site says you can scatter ashes on private land as long as you have the consent of the landowneer- no city or state permit is required. Sea scatter is legal and is done all the time, often from an outrigger canoe, boat or surfboard. There are catamarans that take people out from Waikiki Beach for $20 a head. Maybe you could hire the whole boat (they seem to have about 10 people in a typical load) and ask them to go to an appropriate spot.
You could also call one of the canoe clubs- Outrigger, Lokahi, Waikiki beach Bois; google them - and ask if they'll row you out for a fee. You can get lei everywhere; in Chinatown, On King street near UH or even Safeway or Walmart.
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Sep 11th, 2006, 03:24 PM
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According to Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources website, you don't need a (free) permit unless there would be a lot of ocean traffic:
"For scattering of ashes that will not involve a large crowd and a number of vessels, no permit is required. The State Dept. of Health considers cremated remains are not a health hazard in the marine environment, when scattered prudently without creating a nuisance. Out of courtesy for other ocean users, DLNR asks that the ashes be dispersed at sea beyond the reef line. We suggest that loose flowers be scattered instead of leis, as marine animals could become sick from eating the strings of the leis.
If a large event is planned for scattering of ashes, please contact Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation at 587-1963 in advance (14 days in advance, if possible) for an ocean event permit. There is no cost. The purpose is to assure that ocean uses do not conflict at a given time or location."
"For scattering of ashes that will not involve a large crowd and a number of vessels, no permit is required. The State Dept. of Health considers cremated remains are not a health hazard in the marine environment, when scattered prudently without creating a nuisance. Out of courtesy for other ocean users, DLNR asks that the ashes be dispersed at sea beyond the reef line. We suggest that loose flowers be scattered instead of leis, as marine animals could become sick from eating the strings of the leis.
If a large event is planned for scattering of ashes, please contact Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation at 587-1963 in advance (14 days in advance, if possible) for an ocean event permit. There is no cost. The purpose is to assure that ocean uses do not conflict at a given time or location."
Sep 11th, 2006, 04:05 PM
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The one thing I can add here is that when my husband passed away the cremetorium gave me a certificate to carry if I took his ashes on a plane. If you have them in your carry luggage there could be some questions asked. It was not a death certificate but a separate document. I also just spread them quietly on a beach - nobody has to know.
Sep 11th, 2006, 05:05 PM
#14
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Last fall when I flew home to Ohio with both my parents' ashes, the security guy at the x-ray machine called me over and said "are these what we think they are?" They are quite used to seeing them, apparently. I had the death certificates handy in case, but they didn't ask to see them.
By the way, a couple years ago when my nieces and nephews scattered my sister's and her husband's ashes together off the coast here in Florida, two dolphins swam up, nodded their heads as they do, then swam away. Two grandchildren are convinced that their grandparents are now dolphins. I wasn't there, but I guess it was eerie beyond belief.
By the way, a couple years ago when my nieces and nephews scattered my sister's and her husband's ashes together off the coast here in Florida, two dolphins swam up, nodded their heads as they do, then swam away. Two grandchildren are convinced that their grandparents are now dolphins. I wasn't there, but I guess it was eerie beyond belief.
Sep 11th, 2006, 05:18 PM
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Neo--Great story
A few tips with being discrete. After DH scattered the ashes, he did not just toss the packaging away. He took the sticker from the funeral home off the plastic container. The container went in one garbage can, the sticker was wadded up and tossed in yet another, and the plastic bag in yet another. He did not want to creep anyone out if they found all the packaging together, lol!
A few tips with being discrete. After DH scattered the ashes, he did not just toss the packaging away. He took the sticker from the funeral home off the plastic container. The container went in one garbage can, the sticker was wadded up and tossed in yet another, and the plastic bag in yet another. He did not want to creep anyone out if they found all the packaging together, lol!
