Life in the Garden

Matters of Life and Death

funeral service

Keeping it on the Down Low: Ceremony for Spreading Ashes

scattering ashes from the eiffel tower

Some families like to scatter ashes from way up high, this lady is releasing a keepsake amount of cremated ashes from the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Or this undisclosed location:

scattering ashes ceremony

We prefer to keep it on the down low, whether spreading ashes on the ground or over the water:

spreading ashes ceremony

U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Gabriel Hernandez
U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Gabriel Hernandez

If you plan to spread the ashes on the ground, a shallow trench or groove can be dug in the soil or sand where the ashes can be placed. This process can be personalized by drawing out the person’s name or a heart shaped trench. Add candles or luminaries around the trench to create a spiritual ambiance and can be later used as a keepsake for those that attend.  Wildflower seeds and  tree plantings are another way to personalize the event. At the end of the ceremony, participants can either rake over the remains in the trench, or have the water from the ocean sweep the remains out to sea while family and friends join hands and remember the individual’s life.

urns for scattering ashes

Dust in the Wind: Scattering Ashes Ceremony

The most common method of scattering ashes is known as “casting” , which is basically tossing the ashes into the wind.  Let’s talk about the WIND.  Consider wind direction and try to cast down to prevent “blow-back”.  The dense nature of human ashes combined with a fine powder forms a whitish-gray cloud when it becomes airborne.

Some families want to release the ashes all at once, and others want to spread the ashes as a group, each member taking a turn scattering the remains.

This family opted to split the ashes in individual envelopes, some DIY-ers use paper cups.   Your family funeral director can make this process much easier if you need assistance or have questions regarding this process.

Scattering tubes and biodegradable scattering urns are also available.

urns for scattering ashes

American Pride Urn

Feel like doing some flag waving today and roll out a new urn design for the Urn Garden patriotic collection.

American Pride Urn
American Pride Urn

The American Price urn solid brass cremation urn features a rich slate finish, hand-engraved with an American Eagle and the American Flag. Secure threaded lid.

Comes in three styles, full-size adult urn, matching keepsake, and heart-shaped keepsake urn.

American Pride Keepsake Urn
American Pride Keepsake Urn

Peggy Smith Memorial Tattoo

Peggy Edge Smith Memorial Tattoo

Peggy Sue Smith, RIP: My nephew had a memorial tattoo done to honor his grandmother, who introduced him to the guitar and paid for lessons.

Peggy was my mother-in-law, and was an influence in launching this site. Peggy had always been the picture of health and when she died suddenly from a brain tumor, 6 weeks after diagnosis, we were all deeply affected. Peggy’s husband Ed Smith was kind enough to compose these words about Peggy:

It’s hard to put a lifetime in such a short space but Peggy Smith had a full life even though it was prematurely shortened by a malignant brain tumor in 2001 at the young age of sixty. Peggy grew up and attended schools in Springfield, MO graduating from Central High School in 1959. She had been a student worker in high school and was hired as a full-time secretary at Parkview High School upon graduation. She worked there for several years before moving to California and then returning to Springfield in the mid-seventies. She was re-hired by the Springfield School District upon return and worked there until retiring in 1998 for a total of 31 years with the School District. Peggy’s first marriage was ended in the late eighties and she was married again in 1984. She was the mother of two children, Kirk Hall and Keely (Hall) Millstead, and the grandmother of eight, five of whom were brought into her life in the second marriage. She thoroughly enjoyed their participation in sports, music and other activities and didn’t miss many opportunities to see all of them perform at their various functions. She was a great lady and has been missed much by all who knew her in the more than four years since her death.