Scattering Ashes Permit: Where You Need One, How to Get It, and Where You Don't

The permit question is the first thing most families ask and the last thing they want to deal with while grieving. The short answer: it depends entirely on where you plan to scatter. Some locations require a formal permit application weeks in advance. Others require nothing more than common sense and basic courtesy.

Here is a location-by-location breakdown.

National Parks (U.S.) — Permit Usually Required

Most National Park Service (NPS) sites require a Special Use Permit for scattering cremated remains. Some parks use Form 10-930; the application process and fees vary significantly by park:

• Free permits: Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton, and several smaller parks process scattering requests at no charge.
• Fee-based permits: Zion charges $25, Arches charges $185. Joshua Tree limits scattering to a single pre-approved area and fines $500 for unpermitted scattering.
• Complete prohibition: Grand Canyon National Park does not allow scattering of human remains, following consultation with 11 affiliated Native American tribes.
• Timing: Apply at least 30 days before the ceremony; each park sets its own process.

To apply, contact the specific park's Special Park Uses office directly. They will tell you which areas are approved for scattering, what conditions apply (time of day, group size, distance from trails and water), and whether the permit is free or fee-based.

General NPS rules that apply everywhere: ashes must be fully dispersed (no visible piles), no markers or plaques may be left at the site, and all packaging materials must be removed.

State and Local Parks — Varies Widely

State park policies are set at the state level and range from permissive to prohibitive:

• Some states permit scattering with notification only. You contact the park office, let them know your plans, and proceed. No formal application or fee.
• Others require a written permit. The process is typically simpler and faster than the NPS — often a one-page form and a decision within days.
• A few prohibit it outright. Check before assuming any public park allows scattering.

County and municipal parks follow their own rules. Call the managing agency before showing up. The person who answers the phone at the park office handles these requests routinely and can tell you in five minutes whether a permit is needed.

Ocean Scattering — No Advance Permit, But Reporting Is Required

EPA regulations under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act cover ocean scattering. The key: no advance permit is required. You do not need to apply before scattering at sea.

However, you must:

• Scatter at least 3 nautical miles from shore
• Use only biodegradable materials
• File a Burial at Sea report through the EPA's online system within 30 days of the event

This report is mandatory. It asks for the deceased's name, date and GPS coordinates of the scattering, and the vessel used. Filing takes about 10 minutes. There is no fee.

Private Land — Written Permission, Not a Permit

Scattering on private property requires the landowner's written consent. This is not a government permit — it is a private agreement between you and the property owner.

Get it in writing. A simple letter stating the owner's name, property address, the date consent was given, and what was agreed upon is sufficient. This protects you if the property changes hands or if there is ever a question about what happened on the land.

If the property is owned by a corporation, HOA, or trust, get consent from whoever has authority over the land use — the property manager, HOA board, or trustee.

Your Own Property — Permission and Local Rules

On private property, get the landowner's permission. Local rules can still apply, and HOA covenants may restrict scattering on residential property.

Another practical concern is longevity: when the property sells, the new owner has no obligation to preserve the scattering area and may not know about it.

Cemetery Scattering Gardens — No Government Permit

Cemetery-based scattering gardens are already permitted and regulated by the cemetery's operating license. You pay the cemetery's scattering fee, and they handle any regulatory compliance on their end.

UK, Canada, and Australia

UK. No specific permit is needed for scattering ashes in England, Scotland, or Wales. For water scattering, the Environment Agency recommends scattering at least 1 km upstream of any drinking water intake. Private land requires the landowner's permission.

Canada. No federal permit required. Scattering on unoccupied Crown land and public waterways is permitted without application. National parks (Parks Canada) allow wind-casting without a formal permit but prohibit scattering in park water bodies.

Australia. Beach and ocean scattering are generally permitted without a formal permit. National parks are generally off-limits for land-based scattering. Local councils regulate public parks and beaches — check with the relevant council.

The Full Checklist

If you are planning a scattering and want to make sure you have the permits, permissions, and documents lined up — including template letters for landowner permission and the NPS permit application — the Scattering Ashes toolkit walks through every location type with specific requirements and printable forms.