2023 State Guide to Scattering Ashes - Utah Edition
How much does cremation cost in Utah: $1,462
This thirty-eighth edition of state-by-state guides to scattering ashes covers the state of Utah. This beautiful state is home to stunning rock formations, picturesque mountains, and incredible lakes and rivers.
With the growing number of people in Utah choosing to be cremated (due to a lower cremation cost vs. burial, among other reasons), funeral directors in Utah and many nearby states receive questions each day about cremation and scattering ashes. This includes if scattering is allowed in Utah, where in Utah can families scatter ashes, and what urn is recommended to scatter with. In this state guide, we provide insight and key information related to scattering ashes in Utah that helps answer these questions and many others.
Regulations in Utah Related to Scattering Ashes
In Utah, no state laws exist that prohibit families from keeping or scattering a loved one or pet’s ashes. Ashes can be stored in a crypt, niche, grave, urn, or any other container that the family chooses to use.
Even with the absence of state laws in Utah related to scattering ashes, some cities and counties may have local laws related to this. Therefore, and before scattering in Utah, it’s recommended to check with city or county government offices where you plan to scatter to find out if any local restrictions or regulations exist.
Where to Scatter Ashes in Utah?
Many people in Utah who choose to be cremated also want to have their ashes scattered at a place meaningful to them. There many wonderful places in Utah where you can have your ashes scattered. Below we provide information on a few of the more popular places in the state.
- Private Property – In most states, including Utah, no laws exist that restrict you from scattering cremated ashes in your yard or on other private property you own. If you want to scatter on private property owned by someone else, it’s important to get their permission in advance.
- Public Land – Utah is home to some of the most impressive landscapes in the nation. Even without state laws restricting scattering, it’s always recommended to check with city or county government offices where you plan on scattering to find out if any local restrictions or regulations are in place.
- National Parks – Utah is home to 13 amazing National Parks, attracting over 15 million visitors each year. As each National Park has its own rules and regulations covering scattering ashes, it’s recommended to contact the park ranger’s office where you plan on scattering to find out if scattering ashes is permitted there and what regulations may be in place.
- Scattering Gardens – In Utah, a growing number of cemeteries, memorial parks, and churches have recently established scattering gardens, which are designated areas on their property where families can scatter a loved one’s ashes. If this is of interest to you or your family, ask your local funeral director what scattering garden options are nearby where you live.
- Aerial Scattering – No Utah state laws exist that prohibit families from scattering their loved one’s ashes from an airplane. Just be sure to make sure the urn or container used to scatter from a plane is held on to and not dropped – federal aviation law prohibits dropping any objects from the sky that can potentially harm people or property.
- Water Burials – With so many people having a special connection to the water, water burial memorials, or burials at sea, are becoming more and more common throughout the country. If this type of memorial is of interest to you or a loved one, be sure to keep in mind that federal law states that cremated ashes need to be scattered at least 3 nautical miles from land and also the Environmental Protection Agency needs to be notified within 30 days of a water burial.
How Can You Scatter Ashes in Utah?
With more and more people in Utah and other states choosing cremation over burial, a number of new urns and uplifting memorials have recently been introduced. This includes cremation urns that are specifically designed to scatter ashes, also known as scattering urns. Below we provide information on some of the most popular scattering urns available online and at leading funeral homes.
Eco Scattering Urn
The Eco Scattering Urn is a patented urn made from bamboo, a sustainable, fast growing resource. It is shaped like a long cylinder which helps people scatter the ashes away from their body. The Eco Scattering Urn comes in four sizes – a small for about a quarter of an average adult’s ashes, a medium for about half of the ashes, a large for one set of adult ashes, and an extra large to combine multiple sets of ashes. This unique urn also has a proprietary open and close locking mechanism on top, which allows you to securely transport a loved one’s ashes in the urn to a special place to scatter and also helps you scatter with control and ease.
Paper Scattering Urns
Like the Eco Scattering Urn, scattering urns made from paper are also shaped like a long cylinder. The paper scattering urns come with a number of different scenic images printed on them. These are typically a lower cost option to other urns, however, come with a few drawbacks – they can break down if used during weather events and require an extra step of gluing a piece of the urn together while loading the ashes.
Eco Water Urn
Many people have a special connection to the water and elect to have a water burial memorial after they pass. One of the leading new urns designed for water burials is The Eco Water Urn. This patent pending urn is available online and is offered by thousands of funeral homes throughout the U.S. It is 100% biodegradable and floats upright like a buoy for up to a few minutes, then the bottom dissolves and the ashes are spread in the water. The Eco Water Urn comes packaged in an attractive bamboo protective case, which makes for a perfect cover to securely transport the urn holding a loved one’s ashes to that special place for the water burial.
More Than One Memorial?
With the growing number of people choosing cremation in Utah and most other states throughout the country, a number of new urns and uplifting memorials have recently been introduced. With so many new options, many families find it to be a challenge to choose a single memorial, and instead, choose to divide up their loved one’s ashes in multiple memorials. This commonly includes scattering some of a loved one’s cremated ashes at a special place, then including some or all of the additional ashes in a Living Urn bio urn to grow a living tree memorial, or having them placed in a beautiful stone or piece of cremation jewelry to wear with pride, or included in a colorful glass decoration, among a number of other options.