What to Do With Cremated Remains: Scattering, Burial, or Keeping Them
From Everendium · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
Common options include scattering (on private land with permission, at sea, or in a designated scattering garden), burying the urn in a cemetery plot or niche, or keeping the remains at home. Families can also divide remains among several people, or combine some options — there's no single correct choice.
Cremation opens up more flexibility than burial in what happens next — here are the main paths families consider.
Can I scatter ashes anywhere I want?
Not necessarily:
- Private land - generally requires the landowner’s permission
- Public land (parks, beaches) - often has specific rules or requires a permit; check locally before scattering
- At sea - federal regulations generally require scattering at least 3 nautical miles from shore
- A dedicated scattering garden - some cemeteries offer a specific area designed for this
Can ashes be buried?
Yes - an urn can be buried in a standard cemetery plot (sometimes alongside a full-size grave), or in a specifically designed cremation garden or plot sized for urns.
What is a columbarium niche?
A columbarium is a structure built specifically to house urns in small individual compartments called niches - often found at cemeteries or places of worship, offering a permanent, visitable location without ground burial.
Is it legal to keep cremated remains at home?
Yes, in the vast majority of places - keeping an urn at home is one of the most common choices and generally isn’t restricted by law. Many families find comfort in keeping their loved one close.
Can remains be divided among family members?
Yes - families can divide cremated remains among multiple people or locations - some kept at home, some buried, some given to family members, sometimes incorporated into keepsake jewelry.
Scattering
- ✓Private land needs permission
- ✓Public land often needs a permit
- ✓At sea: 3+ nautical miles
Burial of Ashes
- ✓Standard plot or cremation garden
- ✓A permanent, visitable spot
- ✓Can be alongside a full grave
Niche (Columbarium)
- ✓Compartment built for urns
- ✓Permanent, no ground burial
- ✓Often at a cemetery or church
Keeping at Home
- ✓Generally not restricted by law
- ✓No cemetery involved
- ✓Can divide remains later
None of these options is more respectful than another.
Is there a wrong choice?
No - none of these options is more respectful than another. Many families take time to decide, and it’s completely fine to keep remains temporarily while considering the right long-term choice. If the specific place someone wanted their ashes scattered isn’t actually permitted, see our guide on what to do when an ashes-scattering location isn’t permitted for how to find a meaningful alternative.
Rules on scattering vary significantly by location — check local and federal regulations (especially for water scattering) before proceeding.
Sources
- Cremation Association of North America(Professional association)
About this review
Everendium Editorial Team · last reviewed August 18, 2026.
Reviewed for general accuracy against publicly available cremation guidance; specific rules vary by location
Related glossary terms
Related reading
Make this easier for your family.
Record what you've just read in your Final Day Plan, then download it as a PDF. Nothing is stored online.