What to Do with Ashes You’ve Cherished for a Long Time?

For many families, the decision to keep a loved one’s ashes after cremation can be an emotionally significant one. Whether you’ve held onto them for months or years, there may come a time when you feel ready to take that final step—finding the perfect place to honor your loved one in a way that feels meaningful. Whether the ashes are tucked away in a keepsake urn, stored in a drawer, or displayed on a shelf, it’s natural to want to eventually lay them to rest in a location that reflects the love, life, and spirit of the person you’ve lost.

At BONAVENTURE, we understand that this is a deeply personal decision, and we offer destination ash scattering services to help families create a beautiful and peaceful final farewell for their loved ones. If you’ve held onto your loved one’s ashes for a long time and are unsure of what to do next, here are some meaningful options to consider, as well as how our service can help you carry out this final tribute.

Honor Their Memory in a Meaningful Location

Sometimes, it takes years to decide on the perfect place to scatter ashes, especially if you want to ensure that it reflects your loved one’s spirit, passions, or memories. If your loved one cherished a particular place—whether it’s a national park, a beach, or a favorite hiking trail—you might feel ready to honor their memory in that location. Destination ash scattering services offer a way to honor their life and legacy in these special places.

Our BONAVENTURE team specializes in scattering ashes at stunning locations across the country, including Yellowstone, Zion National Park, and the serene Emerald Coast. We handle all of the logistics—obtaining permits, ensuring legal compliance, and taking care of the scattering ceremony—so that you can focus on the personal and emotional aspect of the memorial.

Create a Lasting Memorial in Nature

Some families prefer to release their loved one’s ashes in natural, beautiful locations that are meaningful not only to them but also to the environment. Destination ash scattering is an excellent way to return your loved one to nature, symbolizing the cycle of life and their connection to the earth. Whether it’s in the towering trees of Mount Rainier National Park, by the majestic cliffs of Devil’s Tower, or in the peaceful waters off Ruby Beach, these places offer a natural resting place that stands as a living memorial to your loved one.

For those who have cherished ashes for years, this may be the perfect time to fulfill your loved one’s final wish or to create your own tribute in the beauty of nature.

Scattering Ashes by the Ocean

For those who love the idea of connecting their loved one with the endless horizon, the ocean offers a beautiful, symbolic resting place. Whether it's the Emerald Coast in Florida, a serene spot along Puget Sound, or the peaceful waves off Pensacola, the ocean can be an ideal place for families looking to scatter ashes in a tranquil, moving setting. The gentle rhythm of the waves can bring a sense of peace and closure.

Our BONAVENTURE service offers ash scattering at sea as part of our Sunset Sailing package, where families can scatter ashes at sea at the perfect moment—often during the vibrant sunset hours, creating a serene and meaningful final tribute.

Scattering Ashes in a National Park

National parks offer breathtaking locations that hold spiritual significance for many people. These natural landscapes are often where families find comfort, whether it’s a favorite hiking spot, a place full of memories, or a location that encapsulates your loved one’s passion for the outdoors. BONAVENTURE offers destination ash scattering at some of the most scenic parks across the country, from Yellowstone to Rocky Mountain National Park, to Badlands National Park.

National parks also provide a sense of permanence—a place where future generations can visit to reflect on the life of your loved one. Our team will take care of all necessary permits, regulations, and logistics, so you can focus on the ceremony and the memories you want to create.

Eco-Friendly and Green Burial Options

For those who have held onto cremated remains for years and are looking for an environmentally friendly way to honor their loved one, scattering ashes in nature offers a beautiful and eco-conscious choice. The growing trend toward green funerals and eco-friendly memorial options reflects a desire to return the body to nature in a meaningful, sustainable way.

Ash scattering in national parks or other natural locations, without the need for markers or caskets, aligns with these values. By choosing BONAVENTURE, you can be assured that your loved one’s final resting place will be handled with care, while also promoting a sustainable, respectful tribute to their memory.

Consider Creating a Memorial Keepsake

Some families may want to combine the scattering of ashes with the creation of a tangible memorial, such as an engraved plaque or a piece of jewelry containing a portion of the ashes. At BONAVENTURE, we offer handcrafted memorial plaques that can be engraved with a name, date, and special message. You can even choose to have a small portion of the ashes enclosed within the plaque, creating a keepsake that can be cherished for years to come.

This combination of a final resting place in nature and a physical memorial can offer comfort to families who wish to keep a connection to their loved one long after the scattering ceremony has taken place.

Why Now is the Right Time to Scatter Ashes

For families who have cherished ashes for a long time, the decision to finally scatter them can bring a sense of closure and peace. Holding onto the ashes can be a way of keeping the person close, but sometimes, allowing them to be released in a special place brings a sense of liberation—for both the family and the ashes themselves. It can also fulfill the loved one’s final wishes, if they expressed a desire to have their ashes scattered in a certain place or in nature.

At BONAVENTURE, we understand that this is a deeply emotional decision, and we are here to guide you through every step of the process, from location selection to the scattering ceremony itself. Our expert team ensures that everything is handled with care, respect, and compassion, giving you peace of mind as you honor your loved one’s memory.

How BONAVENTURE Can Help

If you’ve cherished your loved one’s ashes for years and are ready to take the next step, we are here to assist you. Our destination ash scattering services offer a range of stunning locations, expert guidance, and a stress-free process to ensure that your loved one’s final journey is as meaningful as their life.

Contact BONAVENTURE today to learn more about how we can help you honor your loved one in a way that is beautiful, personal, and lasting.