Our services for individuals are usually for a parent, sibling, or other family member. We also serve commercial clients, government, and nonprofits with multiple, unrelated decedents. Some clients request services for themselves, and some request a scattering for a pet. Our clients are looking for a custom service that is more personal than traditional burial, and often at a lower cost.

Scatterings for individuals are performed separately, but can be commingled in the case of spouses or significant others. 

Scattering requests require several documents, including a death certificate, cremation record, and a signed statement that the person making the request is authorized to determine the final disposition of the cremains. 

We do not perform scatterings where it is unlawful or when it would have a negative impact on surrounding ecosystems. For example, private land requires the owner's permission and many national parks allow scattering only in specific locations.

Some areas prohibit or strictly limit scattering. Native lands require tribal permission, and many historic sites prohibit scattering altogether. Route 66 is a common request where scattering is prohibited–although scattering next to the site or near it is often possible.

Cremains can be scattered over land, over water, into the air (by plane, drone, or even over a cliff's edge), or they can be buried in a trench or within the roots of an established tree, or the urn can be set adrift in a body of water.

When burying the urn or setting it adrift in water, the urn must be made of biodegradable material, compatible with its destination. We cannot release a salt urn in fresh water or bury it in a tree cradling, nor can we bury a non-degradable urn in most locations.  

If the urn is not appropriate, we will need to transfer the cremains to one that is. If so, we will recommend an urn for the type of scattering requested and return the original urn to you. We will also return your decorative or memorial urn that is used for scattering but is not buried.

After scattering, the site will be listed with Findagrave.com, an international listing of cemeteries, memorials, burials and scatterings. The GPS coordinates will be documented at Find-a-Grave, along with a panorama photo of the site. The listing will be turned over to you for any additional information you wish to add about your loved one. 

Personal scattering options also include a sampled video of the hike in, where applicable, and a 360 degree video of the site so that you may virtually visit the site whenever you wish. A printed map showing the scattering site is also available.

See pricing examples for destinations we've visited: 
Examples for Personal Scattering

We can scatter at a location of your choosing (if it is permitted) or, for folks who don't have a specific destination in mind, we can perform scatterings in a general region of the country, according to choice of site characteristics.

If it is permitted, and we can get there, we can get it done.

Coastal Sea Scattering, Great Lakes, Mountainside, Forest, Farmland, Lake, River, Meadow, Valley, Desert, Grassland, or the views of any of these. You may also consider along a Hiking Trail, a River Journey, or perhaps Tree Root Cradling.

A little discussed aspect of cremation is that the process results in remains that are very alkaline (high pH). This alkaline material can be harmful to plant growth, especially when concentrated in a small area and especially around young plants and saplings.

If the cremains are not made plant friendly (a more neutral pH), they can burn young vegetation. Bio-urns and trenching are examples of remains concentrated near young plants. Untreated, concentrated alkaline cremains can interfere with the growth of a seed in a trench or bio-urn, preventing successful plant growth.

To avoid these problems, Dads Ashes does 3 things before scattering (or trenching):

1. We lower the pH of the cremated remains to a more neutral level
2. We convert the harmful salts to beneficial plant nutrients
3. We add probiotics (microbial soil amendment) to adjust harmful material to beneficial material

Dad's Ashes strives for environmentally conscious methods. We do not want your last act (or that of your loved one) to be one of harm. We do not fundamentally change your loved one, we help their remains to be more environmentally friendly.