What kind of ceremory(ritual) goes with the scattering of ashes?

Question

i am about to scatter the ashes of a family member and i want to be respectful, but having never done this before i am at a loss as to the ceremony surrounding this event

Answer 1

Do what feels right to you, and anyone else in attendance. If you are a religious person, prayer. If not, a few thoughts or words about the deceased, or how you felt/feel about them would be nice. A poem that has some meaning, or a scripture verse. A song, taped or live, that has meaning.
If you do not want to, you don't even have to speak out loud. Wear what you want, what the weather dictates, or what the deceased would have wanted.
We here are sorry for your loss.
My Uncle's family scattered his ashes at sea. There is a charter service for hire that will take you out, and let you scatter. They advertize this service. There doesn't really have to be any difference in the ceremony to scatter, or a burial. People have all sorts of burial services, and all sorts of scattering ceremonies.
The difference comes later, there is not necessarily a specific place to visit, no memorial erected as with a grave, or mausoleum.
Sometimes, only your heart knows where the ashes were dispersed, and where they might have gone. Your heart won't forget.

Answer 2

I went to the scattering of my parents ashes. I attended alone and wore black as I did at their funerals. I gave the ashes in and was given two red roses to place where I wanted the ashes scattered, which happened to be at the foot of an oak tree which was outside the chapel of the crematorium. Out came a female dressed in the required attire and began the service. She was blessing the ashes as she scattered them from a single container. After a while and all of a sudden, the wind changed direction and I was covered! Although dressed very elegantly, I was spitting the ashes out of my mouth, hopefully, in a discreet way. As I traveled home, I kept wondering about everything and came to the conclusion that the ashes stayed with me to show that my parents will accompany me along my journey..... I was pleased to have had the ashes scattered. Apparently at Christmas time, Carols are sung by a choir there at the foot of the same tree.
I live over a hundred miles away from the Crematorium now, but feel content knowing that was a good place to choose.

Answer 3

A well-established husband and wife directing team is looking for stories of how we honor life and move forward. We would like to tell stories of how we comprehend the circle of life, with humor and pathos. We are looking for stories from people in several different stages of dealing with the death of a loved one:

-People with urns and containers of people they can't seem to dispose of
-A person who has an enormous task to honor the wishes of a loved one and is overwhelmed/unable to move forward
-Someone who is close to death and has a sense of humor about what should be done with their remains. This person also has family members that are uncomfortable with this request.
-People who have done extraordinary things with their loved ones and who are better for it.

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ashesdoc2014@gmail .com
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Answer 4

I think you should do whatever feels right to you. After all, the ashes are only that -- ashes. You, on the other hand, are trying to deal with your feelings. You are what counts. Not the ashes.

Answer 5

I've never done it either - my grandfather still remains in my shed. It was one of those things you always mean to get around to...

I think just be quiet and gently scatter them somewhere the deceased would have wanted them would be appropriate.

Answer 6

Ocean sounds like a favored answer. yet as quickly as I have been getting cremated i could choose some on my aunts grave some on my grandmas grave and if my mom or boyfriend (i pray to God they dont) yet whilst they bypass till now me some on there graves besides.

Answer 7

I think whatever feels comfortable for you that would honor your loved one's memory.