Washington scattering

In Washington, bodies must be buried in established cemeteries. All cemeteries must be run by corporations. You can only bury a body on private property if you meet all of the licensing requirements to establish a cemetery. You can find the rules governing cemeteries in Chapter The funeral director must give the completed death certificate to the local registrar to receive a burial-transit permit. Then, the funeral director gives this permit to the person in charge of the burial or attaches it to the container carrying the body if a company ships it to another destination.

In Washington, there are no state laws controlling where you may keep or scatter ashes. Ashes may be stored in a crypt, niche, grave, or container at home. If you wish to scatter ashes, you have many options. Cremation renders ashes harmless, so there is no public health risk involved in scattering ashes.

Use common sense and refrain from scattering ashes in places where they would be obvious to others. Washington provides guidance for cremation, including the scattering of ashes, on the Funerals and Cemeteries page of the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Scattering ashes in an established scattering garden. Many cemeteries provide gardens for scattering ashes. If you're interested, ask the cemetery for more information. Scattering ashes on private land.

You may scatter ashes on your own private property. If you want to scatter ashes on someone else's private land, it is wise to obtain permission from the landowner.

Scattering ashes on public land. You may wish to check both city and county regulations and zoning rules before scattering ashes on local public land, such as in a city park. The Washington State Department of Licensing states that ashes may be scattered on state trust uplands if you receiver permission from the regional manager for each scattering.

When it comes to scattering on public state or local land, many people simply proceed as they wish, letting their best judgment be their guide. Scattering ashes on federal land. Officially, you should request permission before scattering ashes on federal land. As with local or state land, however, you will probably encounter no resistance if you conduct the scattering ceremony quietly and keep the ashes well away from trails, roads, facilities, and waterways.

You can find guidelines for scattering ashes on the websites for some national parks. For more information, begin your search at the website of the National Park Service.

Scattering ashes at sea. The federal Clean Water Act requires that cremated remains be scattered at least three nautical miles from land. The EPA does not permit scattering at beaches or in wading pools by the sea. Finally, you must notify the EPA within 30 days of scattering ashes at sea. Scattering ashes on state-controlled waterways. The Washington State Department of Licensing states that ashes may be scattered over "public navigable waters under state control, including Puget Sound.

Scattering ashes by air. While there are no state laws on this issue, federal aviation laws prohibit dropping objects that might injure people or damage property.

Do not drop or throw the urn into a body of water unless it is made of a certified biodegradable material. Remove the metal identification disc from inside the urn and the identification label from the outside.

Dispose of the metal disc, plastic bag, bag closure, label, and urn separately. Cremated remains may be scattered in national parks with permission from the chief park ranger. To apply for the special use permit, search online for the form NPS Scattering on state trust uplands requires permission from regional managers.

Commercial entities are not allowed to scatter remains on state trust uplands. Cremated remains may be scattered on all public navigable waterways in Washington State. These include Puget Sound, rivers, streams, lakes, and the Pacific Ocean within three miles of the shoreline. No reporting is required. Advance notice and booking 3 to 5 business days prior to a planned date is required for scattering cremated remains from Washington State Ferries vessels.

Our 28 foot Charter Boat can help you scatter ashes at sea for groups of up to six passengers present for the burial at sea. Certificate of Sea Burial can be provided with precise coordinates of the disposition at sea.

Departures are from Shilshole Bay Marina in Seattle usually around 1 pm. Click on Directions to get driving directions to our dock. Call or email for quote if you have a specific destination.

With scenic Puget Sound and mountains as your backdrop and the smell of salt air, we stop the boat in deep water around feet depth and shut off all engines to drift while you perform your scattering of ashes. We usually try to schedule these trips in the early afternoon after we return from the morning fishing charter.

Our 28 foot boat has a cabin and a bathroom for your comfort and all of the best electronics and radar for maximum safety while cruising Puget Sound on your memorable sea burial event. If you would like to play an audio track such as commemorative song s then we can plug or link your device or CD into the boats sound system while you scatter the ashes of your loved one.

Please contact us if you have any other questions that we may help you with or to check on availability. Monday-Sunday: 8am-8pm.