Do People Actually Bury Ashes?
The idea of burying ashes may seem a bit counterintuitive, but it happens all the time. In fact, this is a very popular way to celebrate a person’s life by placing cremated remains (contained in an urn, of course) into the ground in a spot that the deceased would appreciate. This also gives family members and friends more flexibility as to where their loved one is buried while avoiding the high cost of a traditional funeral service and burial.
When Can You Bury the Ashes?
A lot of people ask us, “How long after cremation can ashes be buried?” Basically, what they’re asking is how long it will be before ashes are delivered to them. This can sometimes differ from state to state, but in general terms, a loved one can receive the ashes anywhere from a few hours to a few days after the cremation. The process of getting a death certificate is the biggest reason why there could be a slight delay in receiving the ashes.
Where Can You Bury Ashes?
You can’t bury ashes just anywhere, nor would you want to. Disney World is a very popular place for people to attempt a burial. Not only could this get you kicked out, but it’s also against the law because it’s private property.
Same with sporting arenas. You could face criminal charges and civil penalties if you don’t get permission first, which these places won’t give you.
So, where can you bury ashes once you get them? Here are some quick ideas:
Your Backyard
The most obvious place for many loved ones is to bury the deceased in their own backyard. This is very common for older folks who know that they’re going to be at home for a very long time. That being said, while there are no federal regulations against burying ashes in your own backyard, you need to check out your state and local laws to make sure it’s okay.
Cemetery Plot
Many people have no idea that you can actually bury ashes in a cemetery plot. After all, one of the biggest reasons why people opt for cremation is because it’s much more affordable than a traditional burial. You’ll need to pay a bit of money for the ashes and internment at a cemetery, but this is a great solution if you’d like to give everyone a place to visit and/or there’s a family plot in a nearby cemetery.
Columbarium
Another alternative that some cemeteries offer is to store your loved ones’ cremated ashes in a columbarium. This will protect the ashes from the elements, and an authorized friend or member of the family can remove them at any time. But, of course, you’ll need to pay for the service. It’s usually not a huge fee, but if you’re looking to save money, this might not be the best solution.
Memorial Gardens
If you do a quick search on the internet, you’re sure to find at least a few community memorial gardens in your area. These are places that are filled with trees, shrubs, flowers, and maybe a reflection pond or two. You do need to ask permission and be approved by the garden’s managing authority, but it’s extremely rare that anyone is turned down. And when that happens, they usually have a very good reason and can point you to a different garden that can accommodate you.
Burial at Sea
Ah, burial at sea. A cinematic classic. This isn’t just a Hollywood thing. It’s very common for people to scatter a loved one’s ashes into the ocean.
It’s a legal thing to do, but there are a few regulations that must be followed.
For example, ashes must be placed more than three nautical miles from land (which means that most movies and TV shows get it wrong). Also, everything you put into the water must be biodegradable, including urns, flowers, or wreaths. And even though you don’t need a permit, you must report the burial or scattering to the EPA within 30 days.
Contact Florida Family Cremations for Affordable Cremation Services
Florida Family Cremations offers affordable cremation services in Clearwater and the surrounding areas. If a loved one has recently passed or you would like to discuss pre-paying for cremation, reach out to us at (727) 223-5911 today.