Skip to content
scattering ashes nevada

2023 State Guide to Scattering Ashes - Nevada Edition

How much does cremation cost in Nevada: $1,428

This twenty-second edition of state guides related to scattering ashes is focused on the state of Nevada. This beautiful state is home to brilliant desert, picturesque mountains, unmatched sunsets, and the thriving city of Las Vegas.

Nevada has one of the highest cremation rates in the country, with many people choosing to have their ashes scattered at a meaningful location or another beautiful place in the state. With the large amount of people interested in scattering ashes in Nevada, funeral homes throughout the state are frequently asked questions about scattering. This includes whether or not they are allowed to scatter, where in Nevada they can scatter, and what type of urn is recommended to scatter ashes? In this state guide, we provide important information to help answer these questions and many others.

Nevada Regulations for Scattering Ashes
scattering ashes nevada

There are no state laws in Nevada that restrict you from scattering ashes. Through the cremation process ashes are harmless to our health, and in Nevada, ashes can be kept in a niche, crypt, grave, urn, or other container of a family’s choice.

Even with no state laws restricting how you scatter ashes, it is always recommended to check and see if any local regulations exist where you plan to scatter. A good place to find this information is by calling or visiting your local city or county government offices.

Where Can You Scatter Ashes in Nevada?

Many people want to be scattered at a place that has special meaning to them or their family, or at a beautiful location nearby. In Nevada, there are virtually endless places where ashes can be scattered – below we highlight a few of the more common ones.

  • Yard or Other Private Property – Similar to most other states, there are no state laws in place in Nevada that restrict you from scattering ashes in your yard, or on other property you own. If you’re looking to scatter ashes on private property owned by somebody else, be sure to get their permission in writing first.
  • Scattering Gardens – An increasing number of memorial parks and cemeteries throughout Nevada have developed designated areas where families can scatter a loved one’s ashes (commonly referred to as a ‘scattering garden’). A simple internet search can typically pull up one or more options in your area.
  • Public Land – Nevada is a beautiful state with many amazing locations to scatter ashes of a loved one. While no state laws exist preventing people from scattering ashes on public land, it is always a good idea to check with local county or city government offices to find out if any local regulations are in place where you plan on scattering.
  • National Parks – There are four National Parks in the state of Nevada. National Parks are beautiful places where many people are interested in scattering. As each National Park has their own rules and regulations related to scattering ashes, it’s always a good idea to check with the park ranger’s office at a park where you are interested in scattering to find out if it is allowed and, if so, what rules and regulations exist.
  • Water Burial – Scattering a loved one’s ashes in water is an option that’s growing in popularity throughout the country. Federal law requires that this is performed at least three nautical miles from shore and that the Environmental Protection Agency is notified within 30 days of it being done.
  • From an Airplane – In Nevada, along with most other states, there are no restrictions on scattering ashes from an airplane. However, be sure that the urn or container used to scatter is held on to - federal aviation law prohibits dropping any objects from the sky that could potentially damage property or harm people.

How Can You Scatter Ashes in Nevada?

Nevada has one of the highest cremation rates in the country, which continues to grow as more people than ever are choosing cremation over burial (mainly due to a much lower cremation cost and less traditional families). In addition, more and more people in Nevada are electing to have their ashes scattered. In line with this trend, new types of urns designed to scatter ashes have recently been introduced. These ‘scattering urns’ typically have a long cylinder shape (similar to a tube), which makes it easier for people to scatter ashes away from their body.

Below we highlight a few of the more popular scattering urns used by families in Nevada and nationwide.

Scattering Urns

Some of the more popular scattering urns available today include the bamboo Eco Scattering Urn, scattering urns made from paper, and the Eco Water Urn. All of these urns are TSA complaint (and can be taken through airport security) and are offered at prices that are affordable for most families.

Eco Scattering Urn

The patented Eco Scattering Urn is made from bamboo, a fast growing and sustainable resource. This special scattering urn has a unique open and close locking mechanism on top of the urn, which gives people the ability to easily secure the ashes in the urn while traveling to that special place (or places) to scatter, and also makes it easy to scatter with control. The Eco Scattering Urn comes in four sizes – the small for about ¼ of an average adult’s ashes, the medium for about half of the ashes, the large for one set of ashes, and the extra large for people interested in combining ashes of multiple people.

Scattering Urns Made from Paper

Scattering urns manufactured from paper come in multiple sizes and can be found with a nature scene or symbol printed on the outside. These are considered a lower-cost option to other urns on the market and are intended for one-time use. When loading the paper urns with a loved one’s ashes, there is an added step of gluing the inner piece in place – this is fairly straightforward however, if needed, most funeral directors are willing to help with this.

Eco Water Urn

If you’re interested in doing a water burial, there are multiple options available online and at most funeral homes. Many of the water urns available are shaped like a pillow, however, these can take a long time to scatter. Alternatively, the Eco Water Urn is shaped like a buoy and only takes up to a few minutes to dissolve and gracefully disperse ashes in water. This unique patent pending urn is quickly become a leading urn for water burials offered by funeral homes nationwide. It is 100% biodegradable - constructed entirely from recycled plant materials with only heat and pressure (no glues). The urn is shipped in a bamboo cylinder protective case, which makes for a great way to secure the urn holding the ashes while transporting it to that special place on the water for a scattering.

What About Multiple Memorials?

With the large and growing cremation rate in Nevada and nationwide, many new urns and memorial options have recently been introduced. With so many wonderful options, many families are finding it challenging to choose a single memorial for a loved one, and instead, and are electing to divide up their ashes into multiple memorials. This can include scattering some of their loved one’s ashes at a special place, and then including some or all of the remaining ashes in a bio urn to grow a living tree memorial, in an indoor urn with a bonsai tree or houseplant, a colorful decorative piece made from glass, or a stone or jewelry, among a number of other options.

Learn about unique Cremation Urns in Nevada

Previous article Why Do People Love Spring? Here Are 10 Good Reasons