You can either keep the ashes in a decorative, sealed urn, bury them in a small plot or memorial site, or scatter them at a special location chosen by you or your loved one. However, you will need to ask for permission if your chosen location is on public or private property.
Yes, it is important to get permission to scatter ashes from the owners of private land or the Trustee of parks and reserves, or from local council for parks, beaches and playing fields as scattering of ashes may contravene the provisions of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 in terms of air or water ...
There is no general permit required for scattering cremated remains in Victoria. Your loved one may have a favourite place, holiday destination, or somewhere special that holds a significant memory. Any such places would be ideal for a scattering memorial, and this is often a lovely idea.
You are free to scatter ashes anywhere on your own private property, but if someone else owns the land, you need to ask permission first. Either written or verbal permission is fine, but it may be a good idea to have a record of the agreement. If the property owner says no, find another location.
Are there any restrictions on the interment of ashes? You can bury ashes within an existing family grave, as long as you have the rights to do so, and have got permission from the cemetery. The same is true if you'd like to scatter the ashes on a family grave – some cemeteries won't allow this.
Human ashes are like sand and they do not float. They will not dissolve in the water; instead, they will descend into the ocean until they hit the floor.
When a family hasn't yet collected the cremation ashes of a loved one, funeral directors are expected to hold ashes for at least five years before disposing of them accordingly.
Do they cremate the coffin with the body? Yes, the coffin is also cremated. A deceased person is not safely placed within a crematory unless a coffin is used.
Scattering ashes on a family grave or in a cemetery
If you own a plot of land in the cemetery, you should be able to scatter ashes over a family grave. Your funeral director can help you to make these arrangements. Some crematoriums and cemeteries allow scattering of ashes in designated areas.
What's really returned to you is the person's skeleton. Once you burn off all the water, soft tissue, organs, skin, hair, cremation container/casket, etc., what you're left with is bone. When complete, the bones are allowed to cool to a temperature that they can be handled and are placed into a processing machine.
The legalities of scattering ashes
You're well within your rights to scatter your loved one's ashes over land or water – provided you have permission from the landowner.
The average cremated adult will produce about five pounds of pulverized bone fragments, a coarse powder that is sterile and safe to touch, even if the person died of a communicable disease.
When to divide ashes? Cremated remains are usually collected by either the funeral director or the person who arranged for the ceremony the day after the cremation. After receiving the ashes, you can decide when and how to divide them up.
What can you put in a coffin for burial in a cemetery? If you're arranging a traditional burial in a cemetery, there aren't usually any restrictions on what you can place in or on the coffin. Letters, photos, cuddly toys, books, flowers and the ashes of someone else are all okay.
If you are concerned that the ashes will smell after the cremation, the answer is no. There is no odor emitted from ashes that have been properly cremated. Even over time, you shouldn't expect any particular smells to develop. If anything, certain cremation containers will simply emit a slight incense-like smell.
The only parts of the body that are removed before cremation are artificial ones like a medical device or implant with a battery, silicone, pins, radiation pressurization, pacemakers, and large hip, knee, and shoulder replacements along with any external jewelry.
In most cases, people are cremated in either a sheet or the clothing they are wearing upon arrival to the crematory. However, most Direct Cremation providers give you and your family the option to fully dress your loved one prior to Direct Cremation.
The process takes anywhere between three to four hours depending on the power of the retort and the mass of the body inserted. After this step is completed, the cremated bones will come out of the retort and then be processed.
When teeth survive the cremation process, they're ground down with the remaining fragments. Ashes are always processed before they're given to the family. All of the cremation remains are ground together, mixing the fragments into ash.
About 5 pounds for an adult. The weight can vary from 3 pounds all the way up to 10, depending on the size and density of the deceased's bones. Organ tissue, fat, and fluids burn away during cremation, leaving only bone behind when the incineration's completed.
You could bury or scatter them in your garden. However you need to bear in mind that to move ashes that have been buried to another location, an exhumation licence would be required.
Cremation ashes may be harmful when placed in the soil or around trees or plants. While cremains are composed of nutrients that plants require, primarily calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, human ashes also contain an extremely high amount of salt, which is toxic for most plants and can be leached into the soil.
Although cremated remains are commonly called ashes, in truth they are comprised of pulverized bone fragments. As was previously mentioned, the cremation process destroys all traces of organic, carbon-based matter and all bodily fluids evaporate and escape through the cremator's exhaust.
Is it OK to Keep Cremains at Home? There's nothing bad about keeping cremated remains at home. Even though the practice is legal, those from specific faith communities may object to the practice. Some religious faiths, such as followers of Islam, Eastern Orthodox, and some Jewish sects forbid cremation.