Scattering Ashes in the UK: What the Law Says

After a cremation, families are often left with a profound decision: where and how to scatter the ashes of someone they have lost. The good news is that the law in England and Wales places very few restrictions on where ashes can be scattered. Understanding the rules — and the courtesies that accompany them — will help you make arrangements that are both respectful and legally sound.

The general legal position in the UK

Cremated ashes are not classified as human remains for the purposes of most UK law. This means that scattering them does not require a licence or formal permission in most situations. There is no equivalent of the legal requirements that apply to burial of a body.

However, the absence of a general prohibition does not mean that anything goes. Three considerations always apply:

• Ownership and permission: You cannot scatter ashes on land or property that you do not own without the owner's consent
• Environmental legislation: Certain waterways and protected areas are governed by their own rules
• Public health and nuisance: Scattering ashes in a way that causes offence or constitutes a nuisance in a public place could, in theory, attract a complaint

In practice, the vast majority of ash scatterings proceed without any legal difficulty. The rules set out below apply in England and Wales; Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own legal frameworks, though the position is similarly permissive.

Scattering ashes on private land

If you wish to scatter ashes on private land — a farm, a garden, a sporting estate, woodland, or any other privately owned ground — you must obtain the landowner's permission first. Scattering without permission could constitute trespass or, in some circumstances, cause the landowner to have grounds for complaint.

In most cases, landowners are sympathetic to a respectful request, particularly where there is a meaningful connection between the deceased and the land. It is sensible to:

• Make the request in writing so that you have a record of permission being granted
• Explain the significance of the location and your intentions
• Agree on a specific location within the property that works for both parties
• Ask whether a memorial marker of any kind would be permitted, if that is something you would like

Scattering ashes at sea and on inland waterways

Scattering ashes at sea is a long-standing tradition in the UK, and the sea is the most commonly chosen location for ash scattering outside of a crematorium. The Environment Agency and its Welsh equivalent ask that:

• Ashes are scattered more than 500 metres from the shoreline or riverbank
• Any containers used are biodegradable — do not scatter plastic or non-biodegradable containers into the water
• You avoid water abstraction points and areas near drinking water intake

For rivers and inland waterways, the same general guidance applies, though local navigation authorities (such as the Canal and River Trust) may have their own guidance. Contacting them in advance is always advisable.

If you plan to charter a boat for a sea scattering, you will need to agree the location with the skipper and ensure you are beyond the 500-metre limit. Many specialist companies offer dedicated ash scattering at sea services, including provision of a certificate with GPS co-ordinates.

National Parks, public land, and protected areas

National Parks in England and Wales are places of outstanding natural beauty and attract millions of visitors each year. While there is no blanket prohibition on scattering ashes within a National Park, individual parks may have local by-laws or strong guidance about where ash scattering is and is not appropriate.

Popular summits and beauty spots — including Scafell Pike, Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), and Ben Nevis in Scotland — have experienced a significant increase in ash scattering in recent decades. In some locations, the build-up of phosphorus from ashes has been linked to changes in vegetation and soil chemistry.

For these reasons, the advice is:

• Contact the National Park Authority in advance and ask about their current guidance
• Avoid popular summits and concentrating ashes in one spot — if possible, spread them widely over a larger area
• Consider less visited locations within the park that may hold equal personal significance
• In Scotland, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives broad access rights but this does not override the need for sensitivity in protected areas

Gardens of remembrance at crematoria

Most crematoria in the UK maintain a dedicated garden of remembrance where ashes can be scattered. This is a peaceful, dignified, and entirely legal option that many families choose, particularly where there is no specific location of personal significance.

The process at most crematoria involves:

• Booking in advance: Contact the crematorium directly to arrange a time — many prefer the scattering to be done by a member of staff rather than the family, but practices vary
• Witnessing the scattering: Some crematoria allow families to be present; others carry out the scattering privately and issue a certificate of location
• Memorialisation: Many crematoria offer the opportunity to add a name to a Book of Remembrance or purchase a memorial bench or plaque in the garden
• Multiple sets of ashes: Some crematoria will scatter ashes of spouses or partners together in the same area on request

There is usually no charge for scattering in the garden of remembrance, though a fee may apply if the crematorium carries out the scattering on your behalf at a separate time. Additional memorialisation options typically carry their own costs.

Other locations: sports grounds, forests, and abroad

Sports grounds and stadia: Many sports clubs receive requests to scatter the ashes of devoted supporters. Each club has its own policy — contact the club directly and expect the process to involve a formal application, a fee, and a specific designated area of the ground. Scattering on the pitch itself is rarely permitted.

Forestry Commission and public forests: Forestry England and Forestry and Land Scotland generally permit ash scattering in their forests, but ask that you notify them in advance. They ask that you avoid scattering near water, car parks, or areas of heavy visitor use.

Scattering abroad: If you wish to scatter ashes in another country, you will need to comply with the laws of that country, which may be significantly more restrictive than those in the UK. You will also need to comply with requirements for transporting ashes on flights — ashes should be carried in a secure container and you should carry the cremation certificate. Contact the airline and the destination country's embassy for specific requirements.