Scattering cremated remains
Many people choose to scatter the ashes of a loved one in a location with a personal meaning or a connection to the person who has died. If you're unsure exactly what rules are in place about where you can and cannot scatter ashes the details below outline the current guidance for the United Kingdom (2024).
Where you can scatter ashes
In the United Kingdom, you can scatter the ashes of someone you love in a variety of open places, with the landowners consent. This can be in a garden of remembrance, over water, or in a garden.
Some people request to have their ashes scattered in a place that was close to their heart. Others may not leave instruction. It's also possible to scatter ashes in multiple places, if preferred.
Examples of where you can scatter ashes:
- in a churchyard, cemetery or natural burial ground – subject to each site’s regulations. We offer a range of options for the interment of cremated remains and memorial options: Cemeteries run by West Suffolk Council
- over the sea, a river or body of water
- in a national park or public space – with permission from the landowner
- on private land (back garden, sports ground or private farmland)
Do you need permission to scatter ashes?
In the UK, there's no explicit law against scattering ashes, as long as you get permission from the person who owns the land. The scattering ashes laws and regulations in the UK state that you don't need permission to scatter ashes on your own land or over a body of water.
If you want to scatter the ashes over public or other private land, you'll need to request the permission from the landowner. You don’t need to request permission to scatter ashes over a river or in the sea, but you should check the advice from the Environment Agency first.
Options in West Suffolk Council’s cemeteries, parks, and open spaces
We do not permit the interment or scattering of cremated remains in our parks and open spaces in West Suffolk. Cremated remains are very alkaline and will scorch, and in some instances, kill plant material that it encounters.
The scattering of cremated remains on purchased or unpurchased graves or in any other area of the cemeteries that we own or manage is not allowed, we do however offer a variety of graves, and vaults for the burial of cremated remains.
For more details on the options available in our cemetery please contact Cemetery Services:
- email: cemetery.services@westsuffolk .gov.uk
- phone: 01284 757068