Saying goodbye to your loved ones is never an easy process. Funeral arrangements are not only emotionally overwhelming, but they can also be expensive. More and more families are utilising expert funeral home services for a cremation ceremony, as they are more affordable and avoid the delicate process of memorialisation. Depending on the deceased and their personal wishes, cremation can be a more personal way to say goodbye to your friend or family member. Cremation offers the opportunity of scattering ashes in a place that is special to the family and the deceased.
Rules and limitations
In the state of NSW, ash in considered non-infectious, and therefore safe to handle. However, as cremation is irreversible, it requires more legal procedures that your funeral home in Sydney will guide you through. In the case of parks and public areas, it is best practice to gain the permission from the Trust of Parks and Reserves, or local council for parks, beaches and playing fields. For private properties, you need the consent of the owners of the property, having to pay a possible fee. If the last wish of your beloved one was to scatter their ashes, it is very important to carefully choose the place, as once scattered the ashes cannot be collected again.
Always check with your funeral home regarding the legal processes beforehand, as it may contravene the provisions of the Clean Air Act. Authorities might establish a specific time and place among other conditions to make the process easier, ensuring it meets your wishes and the welfare of the public.
Scattering procedures to consider
Scattering ashes is a symbolic ceremony and is not about the physical properties of the ash but the emotional meaning. If you’re loved ones will or last wish asked to have their ashes scattered, here are some procedures and tips that will help you through the process.
Scattering ashes at sea
If your beloved deceased family member or friend was a lover of the sea, you can scatter their ashes into the ocean, as no special permits are needed, just the consent from the captain of the boat. It’s important to consider the direction of the wind and the distance to the water when scattering the ashes.
Scattering ashes overseas
In the case of the deceased wanting their ashes to be scattered overseas, you can carry them in a sealed container in hand luggage with a copy of the death and crematorium certificate. When you have arrived at your destination you should contact the consulate in order to comply with local requirements.
If you're after information about the international transport of a body, take a look at our repatriation page.
Less traditional ways to have the ashes preserved
There are also some non-traditional ways to commemorate the deceased memory and ashes into symbolic items. LifeGem introduced the idea of turning the ashes into a diamond that can be worn as a piece of jewellery. For the astronaut dreamers, sending the ashes into a space is now a reality - a symbolic portion is placed in capsules into flight canisters that will remain permanently attached to a space-bound structure like a satellite. Artistic minds have also created new ways to be forever remembered by turning the ashes into art, like the artist Adam Brown, who uses cremated remains to create memorable images of the deceased, leaving the family with an intimate picture.
Here are some other creative ways to pay tribute to a loved one during the scattering of the ashes, which can feel special without the formality of a funeral.
Whatever procedure you use to memorialised the deceased, your funeral home will help you and guide you to cover your beloved last wishes in the best, easy and more symbolic ceremony that suits your needs. Should you have the wish, feel free to put your own wishes for your passing into the Pre Planning tool we have included below. You can attach it to your will for peace of mind that the hardest decisions have already been made when your family are saying goodbye to you.
