Scattering Ashes Together: How Couples Can Create a Shared Memorial for Eternity
The end of life is a deeply personal experience, and when it comes to commemorating a relationship, many couples are choosing to take their final journey together. Joint ash scattering has become an increasingly popular way for couples to create a shared memorial that celebrates their life together, even after they’ve passed on.
In this guide, we explore how couples can make the deeply meaningful decision to be scattered together in places that hold special significance to their relationship. Whether it’s a serene mountaintop, a peaceful beach, or a favorite national park, choosing a final resting place together can offer comfort, peace, and a lasting tribute to the love shared throughout their lives.
Why Choose Joint Ash Scattering?
Cremation has become a preferred choice for many couples, with over 60% of Americans choosing cremation over traditional burial, according to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). One of the reasons for this shift is the increasing desire for more personalized memorial services, with many people opting for cremation as a way to honor their loved ones in unique, meaningful ways.
Joint ash scattering is an extension of this trend, offering couples a chance to symbolically remain together, even in death. It offers several key benefits:
Symbolism of Eternal Unity: Scattering ashes together is a poignant way for couples to express the desire to be united forever, continuing their bond even beyond the grave. This symbolizes not just the love they shared in life but their shared journey into eternity.
Shared Memorial: Couples often seek a shared final resting place that reflects their life together, creating a memorial that represents their story and their unique relationship. Joint ash scattering allows both individuals to be remembered in the same way, at the same place, side by side.
Personalized Tribute: Instead of opting for a conventional burial, couples can choose to be scattered in locations that held personal meaning throughout their lives. From the beaches where they vacationed to the hiking trails where they found peace, the choices are endless.
The Benefits of Scattering Ashes Together
For couples who have spent a lifetime creating shared memories, the idea of a shared memorial feels like a natural extension of that love. Here are some reasons why joint ash scattering has become so popular:
A Celebration of the Life You Lived Together: Ash scattering allows couples to be memorialized in a setting that reflects their personality, their travels, and their shared dreams. Whether it’s at the top of a mountain they climbed together, by the ocean they loved, or in a forest they both cherished, joint scattering honors the life and love they created together.
A Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Option: The environmental benefits of cremation, as well as the ecological impact of scattering ashes, are often more attractive to couples who wish to leave a minimal environmental footprint. According to a 2024 report from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), nearly 68% of individualsare interested in eco-friendly funeral options, and cremation is often seen as an environmentally responsible choice.
A Final Journey for Adventurers: Many couples who are avid travelers or adventure enthusiasts choose to scatter their ashes in beautiful, remote locations where they’ve made lasting memories. National parks, mountain ranges, and coastlines all offer stunning backdrops for these final ceremonies.
A Cost-Effective Option: Spreading ashes together combines expenses— BONAVENTURE offers a couples package at a discounted rate to support the growing demand for an option that celebrates love and pays a unique tribute to their bond.
Choosing the Right Location for Joint Ash Scattering
When selecting a location for your joint scattering ceremony, consider places that were meaningful to both partners during their lifetime. The best locations for ash scattering offer not only beauty and serenity but also personal significance. Some popular destinations for joint ash scattering include:
National Parks: Parks like Yellowstone, Zion, and Glacier National Park are popular for couples who love nature. Many couples choose to be scattered in these iconic, pristine locations as a way to forever be a part of the natural world they treasured.
Beaches and Oceans: For couples who found peace by the water, beaches and coastal locations are among the most popular destinations for scattering ashes. With waves gently rolling in and the vastness of the ocean, it’s a fitting tribute to the eternal bond shared between the couple.
Mountain Peaks: High-altitude locations are ideal for adventurous couples. A mountaintop scattering symbolizes the high points of their lives and offers a sweeping view of nature as they “rise” together in spirit.
Backyards and Gardens: Some couples opt for more intimate settings, choosing to have their ashes scattered at home or in a private garden. This option can be deeply personal, allowing family and friends to visit and remember them at a place that held personal meaning.
Legal Considerations for Joint Ash Scattering
While scattering ashes is a legal act in most places, it’s important to be aware of the regulations in different locations. For example, some national parks and other public lands require permits for ash scattering, and scattering ashes in certain bodies of water may be subject to environmental laws. It’s essential to consult with local authorities or professionals, such as the Bonaventure team, to ensure you have the proper permissions and are adhering to any local guidelines.
How Bonaventure Can Help You Honor Your Love
At Bonaventure, we specialize in unaccompanied ash scattering services, offering couples a seamless, respectful, and professional way to have their ashes scattered in breathtaking, meaningful locations across the United States. We understand the desire for a personalized, unforgettable tribute, and our team is here to help you every step of the way—from selecting the perfect location to ensuring that every detail is handled with care and precision.
With our certified park ranger consultants and expert team of professionals, we handle all the logistics, paperwork, and permits necessary to ensure a smooth and respectful ceremony. We also offer personalized commemorative plaques as part of our service, allowing families and loved ones to keep a small, meaningful part of their loved ones’ ashes as a lasting memorial.
Creating a Beautiful Memorial for Eternity
Choosing to be scattered together as a couple is a beautiful and meaningful decision. It’s an enduring tribute to the life you shared, the love you gave, and the memories you created together. Whether you choose to be scattered in a national park, along a beach, or in the mountains, the journey of being together forever is something to cherish.
If you’re considering a joint ash scattering for you and your partner, Bonaventure is here to help. Our team’s compassion, expertise, and dedication to your wishes ensure that your final tribute will be as meaningful and unique as your relationship.
Contact Bonaventure today to learn more about how we can help you create a shared memorial for eternity, and to begin planning a beautiful, lasting tribute to the life you lived and the love you shared.