2023 State Guide to Scattering Ashes - Tennessee Edition
How much does cremation cost in Tennessee: $2,743
This twenty-first edition of state guides related to scattering ashes covers the state of Tennessee. This beautiful state is home to the stunning Smoky Mountains, picturesque rolling plains, incredible rivers, and many amazing cities, including Nashville, Memphis, and Knoxville!
Funeral homes in Tennessee and many other states are asked questions each day about scattering ashes. This includes whether or not scattering is permitted, where in Tennessee you can scatter ashes, and what type of urn should be used to scatter? In this Tennessee state guide we provide insight to answer these questions and many others.
Laws in Tennessee About Storing and Scattering Ashes
In Tennessee, no state laws exist that restrict people from storing or scattering a loved one or pet’s ashes. Cremated ashes can be kept in a grave, crypt niche, urn, or other container of a family’s choosing.
Even without any state laws in Tennessee restricting the scattering of ashes, certain cities and counties may have local laws related to this. Prior to scattering, it’s always advised to check to with city or county offices in your area to see if there are any local regulations.
Where Can You Scatter Ashes in Tennessee?
Many people will choose to have their ashes scattered at a place with special meaning to them or their family. There many amazing locations in Tennessee where you can have your ashes scattered - below we highlight a few of the most popular places.
- Yard or Other Private Property – In Tennessee, along with most other states, no laws exist that restrict you from scattering ashes in your yard or on other property you own. If you prefer to scatter ashes on private property owned by somebody else, be sure to get their permission first.
- Public Land – Tennessee has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country. As mentioned above, there are no state laws related to scattering ashes in Tennessee, however, it’s always a good idea to check with city or county government offices where you plan on scattering to make sure there are no local laws in place.
- Federal Land – Tennessee is home to 12 National Parks, providing stunning landscapes to scatter ashes. Since every National Park has its own set of rules related to scattering ashes, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and contact the park ranger’s office where you prefer to scatter at before visiting. Keep in mind that a permit may be required and the process to obtain one can take weeks or even months.
- Scattering Gardens – In Tennessee, many beautiful cemeteries, memorial parks, and churches now have designated areas on their properties where families can scatter a loved one’s ashes (often referred to as a scattering garden). With a simple internet search, you can typically find multiple scattering gardens in your area.
- From an Airplane – No laws exist in Tennessee that restrict people from scattering ashes from an airplane - ashes are harmless and pose no health risk. Just make sure that the urn used to scatter the ashes from the sky is held on to - U.S. federal law restricts letting go of any objects from the sky that could potentially harm people or property.
- Water Burials – Water burials are becoming more and more popular across the country. If this is of interest to you, just keep in mind that federal law requires that ashes must be scattered at least three nautical miles from land and the EPA must be notified within thirty days of a water burial.
What’s the Best Way to Scatter Ashes in Tennessee?
With the growing number of people choosing cremation in Tennessee and most other states, many new urns have been brought to market over the past few years, including ones that are designed to scatter ashes. Below we highlight a few of the more popular scattering urns available today.
Eco Scattering Urn
The patented Eco Scattering Urn is a tube-shaped urn that enables you to scatter ashes away from yourself, and therefore, helps prevent having ashes fall back on you. This unique urn is made entirely from bamboo, a sustainable fast-growing natural resource. It comes in four different sizes and includes a special open and close locking mechanism, which gives families the ability to scatter with control and ease, and also helps secure the ashes inside of the urn during transport.
Paper Scattering Urns
Similar to the Eco Scattering Urn, paper scattering urns are also tube-shaped, helping people scatter away from their body. These unique urns come in four different sizes with a number of different images printed on them. These paper urns are usually less expensive than other urn options, but come with a few drawbacks - they can break down if you get them wet or if you’re scattering during weather events and also require an extra step of gluing a piece together after the ashes are loaded in the urn.
Eco Water Urn
The Eco Water Urn was recently brought to market and is specially designed for water burials. This patent pending urn is now offered by thousands of funeral homes throughout the country. It is completely biodegradable and floats for up to a few minutes, then the bottom breaks apart spreading the ashes in the water. The Eco Water Urn is shipped in an attractive bamboo case, perfect to take the urn to that special place for a water burial and also commonly used as a decorative piece in ceremonies.
Can You Have Multiple Memorials?
With the rapid growth in the number of people choosing to be cremated in Tennessee and most other states nationwide, many new urns have recently been introduced. With so many options, many families are having a challenge choosing only one memorial, and instead, elect to separate a loved one’s ashes into multiple memorials. This can include scattering a portion of the ashes at a meaningful place, then incorporating the remaining ashes in a Living Urn tree urn, an indoor Living Urn with a houseplant or bonsai tree, or having them put in a stone or cremation jewelry, or infused into a glass cremation decorative piece, among many other options.