# Can one scatter the ashes of the deceased anywhere? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 16, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115 "2002-12-16T17:40:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Baglady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Baglady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baglady)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/1 "2002-12-16T17:40:08Z")
Apparently, some woman decided to scatter the ashes of her recently departed son **inside** the Haunted Mansion ride at Disneyland this past weekend. They closed the ride down when they noticed that she was leaving bits of powder all through the ride (since they use infrared cameras throughout the attraction), fearing that it may be anthrax or poison or something. [She was retained for questioning, and must now pay a fine to the park for the clean-up costs.] All this brings me to this question: Is it “legal” to scatter the ashes of a human body anywhere? Obviously if I don’t want you to scatter the ashes of your dearly departed in _my apartment_, I know I have final say, but are there any laws regarding this at all? Can I just scatter them in my local creek or something? ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/2 "2002-12-16T18:20:22Z")
I think disposal of ashes is governed by the Health Code in most states. Here is a site from Ft. Wayne IN on such an[ash disposal](http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/3869147.htm) question. A quote from the cite: “Indiana state law covers many aspects of cremation but is somewhat lenient in the disposal of ashes by families of deceased. The law allows disposal ‘on the property of a consenting owner, on uninhabited public land, or on a waterway.’” ---
**Author:** ![Early\_Out](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Early\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Early_Out)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/3 "2002-12-16T21:55:41Z")
There may be local or state regulations governing it, but remember that the high temperature at which cremation takes place means that the ashes are completely sterile. There’s no genuine health problem with scattering them just about anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![threemae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5f9b8f/32.png) [@threemae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threemae)\ **Post date:** [December 16, 2002, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/4 "2002-12-16T23:34:45Z")
But GOD that creeps me out! Not to be insensitive to those who are party to the recently deceased, but please don’t go scattering those ashes in a public place. Thanks… ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/5 "2002-12-17T01:05:38Z")
My MIL ashes were spread from the end of a pier on Puget Sound. The breeze that day was a little stronger than we anticipated and some of the ashes blew back onto a beach. Fortunately no one was on the beach that day. ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/6 "2002-12-17T02:26:26Z")
From the California Health Code: > [@](#): > > 1. Cremated remains may be scattered in areas where no local prohibition exists, provided that the cremated remains are not distinguishable to the public, are not in a container, and that the person who has control over disposition of the cremated remains has obtained written permission of the property owner or governing agency to scatter on the property. A state or local agency may adopt an ordinance, regulation, or policy, as appropriate, authorizing, consistent with this section, or specifically prohibiting, the scattering of cremated human remains on lands under the agency’s jurisdiction. The scattering of the cremated remains of more than one person in one location pursuant to this section shall not create > a cemetery pursuant to Section 7003 or any other provision of law. This would imply that you can’t go around sprinkling the last remains of Uncle Joe at Disneyland unless you get their permission. For that matter, you can’t dump Grandma’s cremains into your neighbor’s yard without permission. Not only is it tacky, but it’s illegal. ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-one-scatter-the-ashes-of-the-deceased-anywhere/143115/7 "2002-12-17T02:49:23Z")
I scattered my mom’s ashes on Vesper Hill in a Girl Scout camp in Ohio. I had the camp’s permission, so it was legal. Dad’s ashes were committed to the briny deep in Tampa Bay. Though the ashes were inert and sterile, the dumping may have violated local marine discharge rules. I’ll never know. Let the cremators know if you plan to scatter the ashes. They’ll grind up the bigger pieces. Seeing grape-size chunks of bone during the scattering can spoil the aesthetics of a solemn moment.