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Scattering Ashes

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Aerial scattering of cremated remains is a popular but challenging practice, as dispersing ashes from an airplane often leads to significant aerodynamic issues, resulting in messy or incomplete dispersal for DIY attempts.
  • Various regulations govern aerial scattering, requiring specific permits or notifications depending on the location, such as national parks, coastal waters (EPA rules), or private property.
  • Careful planning, specialized equipment (like remote release devices), and consideration of emotional factors are crucial to ensure the dignity of the process, prevent hazards, and avoid potential accidents.
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We always thought my dad wanted his ashes spread over Cherry Hill, the family farm and B&B in the Catskill Mountains where he grew up. But my mother vetoed our plans to airdrop his ashes from my Cardinal and said he had expressed a desire to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. And so he was. The ceremony, with full military honors, was very impressive.

But cremation – and the question of what to do with the resulting ashes – has become more popular – and problematic. Typically, a group of family and friends will take the urn with the ashes to one of the decedent’s favorite places and scatter the ashes. For sailors, the favorite place might be on the water and for pilots, in the air above a favorite fly-over spot.

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