2023 State Guide to Scattering Ashes - Oklahoma Edition
How much does cremation cost in Oklahoma: $2,100
This twenty-sixth edition of state-by-state guides for storing and scattering ashes is focused on the state of Oklahoma. This amazing state is home to stunning scenic byways, lush green rolling hills, brilliant waterfalls, and beautiful lakes and rivers.
In Oklahoma and many other states, there’s been a significant increase over the past few years in the amount of people choosing to be cremated and having their ashes scattered. Along with this shift in preference, funeral homes and cremation service providers throughout Oklahoma are frequently asked numerous questions about scattering ashes, including whether it is permitted or not, where it can be done in Oklahoma, and what type of urn is recommended to scatter ashes? In this comprehensive guide, we highlight important information that helps provide answer to these questions and many others.
Scattering Ashes: Rules and Regulations in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, no state laws exist that restrict people from scattering ashes. Ashes from the cremation process are harmless and do not cause any health risks. They can be kept in a niche, grave, crypt, urn, or any other type of container that a family prefers.
Although there are no state laws in Oklahoma restricting where and how you can scatter ashes, it is recommended that you check with city or county government offices where you plan on scattering to see if there are any local rules or regulations in place.
Where Can You Scatter Ashes in Oklahoma?
Many families in Oklahoma and elsewhere throughout the country choose to scatter the ashes of a loved one at a meaningful place, or at another beautiful outdoors location. In Oklahoma, there are many amazing locations where families can scatter a loved one or pet’s ashes. Below we provide information on some of the more popular places.
- Scattering Gardens – With the increasing cremation rates, more and more cremation gardens (or designated areas to scatter ashes) are becoming available at cemeteries and churches throughout Oklahoma. If this is of interest to you, a quick internet search can typically point you to one or more options in your area.
- Private Property – Like many other states, there are no state laws in Oklahoma that restrict families from scattering a loved one’s ashes in their yard or on other property that’s privately owned. If you want to scatter on private property that’s owned by another person, be sure to reach out to them and get their permission beforehand.
- Public Land – With its natural beauty, Oklahoma provides many stunning places where people can scatter the ashes of a loved one. While no state-wide laws exist that prevent you from scattering on public land, be sure to check with city or county offices where you plan on scattering to find out if any local regulations exist.
- National Parks – Three of our amazing National Parks are in the state of Oklahoma. Our National Parks are some of the most picturesque places in the country and receive a lot of interest from families interested in scattering ashes. Each National Park has its own set of rules and regulations related to scattering ashes. Therefore, if you prefer to scatter ashes at a certain National Park, reach out to the park ranger’s office to find out if scattering is permitted there and, if so, what regulations may be in place.
- Water Burial – Water burials are becoming more and more popular all over the U.S. If this is of interest to you or your family, be sure to keep in mind that U.S. federal law mandates that cremated ashes are scattered a minimum of three nautical miles from shore. Also, the Environmental Protection Agency needs to be made aware of a water burial within 30 days of it occurring.
- From an Airplane – Oklahoma has no state laws that restrict people from scattering ashes from an airplane. If this is something of interest to you or your family, be sure to hang on to the urn or container used to scatter – federal law prohibits dropping anything from the sky that could potentially damage property or injure people.
How Can I Scatter Ashes in Oklahoma?
With the significant increase in the number of people in Oklahoma and elsewhere throughout the country choosing to be cremated and a growing interest in having their ashes scattered, a number of new cremation urns have recently been developed that are specifically designed to scatter. Such urns are typically shaped like a long cylinder or tube with an opening on top to help people scatter ashes away from their body.
Below we highlight a few of the more popular scattering urns available online and offered by funeral homes throughout Oklahoma.
Eco Scattering Urn
The patent pending bamboo Eco Scattering Urn was introduced a little over a year ago and has quickly become one of the leading urns offered by funeral homes nationwide. It includes a proprietary locking mechanism on top of the urn which gives families the ability to securely transport the ashes in the urn to that special place to scatter and also gives families the ability to scatter with control and ease. Starting at $49, the Eco Scattering Urn is an affordable option for most families.
Paper Scattering Urns
Scattering urns manufactured from paper can be found both online and at many funeral homes. These urns are a cylinder shape and typically come with a nature scene or other design printed on the outside. A low cost alternative to many other urns on the market, paper scattering urns do come with some drawbacks. This includes that they’re less sturdy than the Eco Scattering Urn and other options and require an added step of gluing the urn together after loading the ashes.
Eco Water Urn
The Eco Water Urn was introduced last year and has quickly become a leading option offered by funeral homes to families interested in doing a water burial. This special patent pending urn is constructed from recycled plant materials and floats upright in the water (similar to a buoy). After up to a few minutes of floating time the bottom dissolves and the ashes are gracefully spread in the water. As an added bonus, the packaging for the Eco Water Urn is an attractive bamboo canister, which makes for a great protective case that can hold the urn while traveling to that special place on the water to scatter.
Having Multiple Memorials for Your Loved One
With the increasing amount of people in Oklahoma and across the country choosing to be cremated instead of buried (due to a much lower cremation cost, among many other reasons), a number of new and innovative memorials have recently been introduced that incorporate ashes. With so many uplifting new options, families can find it to be a challenge to select only one memorial for a loved one, and instead, choose to separate their loved ones ashes and include them in multiple memorials. This can include scattering a portion of a loved one’s cremated ashes and then incorporating the remainder in jewelry, a diamond, a glass decorative piece, or in a bio urn tree memorial, among many other great options.