Cremation services are a great way to honor the deceased body of a loved one. The funeral home will handle all of the necessary cremation services. After cremation, the ashes of your loved one will be returned to you in a temporary container unless you have provided the crematory with an urn. If you and your family have decided to scatter these in a location of your choice, here are a few tips that may help you do this successfully. 

1. Prepare your family for the occasion

While you may be entirely comfortable with scattering the ashes of your loved one, not everyone has this level of comfort. Some people may find the process scary or morbid.

Ask who wants to participate and respect the decisions of those who do not. Let everyone know the time and location of the scattering service, and be ok with those who do not show up. 

2. Select A Scattering Urn

There are urns explicitly designed for scattering. The openings on scattering urns are smaller, allowing you to scatter the ashes more controlled manner.

Other miniature individual urns are also appropriate for scattering. Using these can allow each family member to have their own urn at the celebration. Consider having the individual urns engraved as keepsakes.

3. Find A Wind-Free Location

Cremated remains appear as fine gritty ashes. Releasing these ashes into the wind will often result in the ashes being blown back on you and others, which may be unpleasant. Try to find a sheltered or wind-free location for your release. If this is impossible, at least release the ashes so they will scatter downwind away from you. 

4. Bring Wet Wipes

Scattering can be messy no matter how wind-free your location is or how downwind your ashes go. Scattering cremains can leave a gritty, dusty residue on your hands and shoes.

Bring a pack of wet wipes to wipe the ashes off before you return home. You don't want to feel that you are tracking your loved one through your home when you get back. 

5. Have A Scattering Service

Releasing the ashes of your loved one is an occasion of its own. The scattering is most often a final goodbye for everyone involved. Consider having an official service at the site.

Ask the family to speak about the deceased, read a poem, sing a song, or pray. Your service can be as formal or informal as you choose it to be. 

For more information about cremation and scattering ashes, contact a funeral home such as Simple Choices Inc.