The short answer. There is no deadline. You may keep ashes at home, bury them, place them in a cemetery niche, scatter them, or divide them among family. Scattering needs the landowner’s permission, and at sea it must be done at least three nautical miles from shore.
Families often feel they should decide straight away. You do not have to. The ashes can stay in the container they came in for as long as you need.
The options at a glance
| Option | What to know |
|---|---|
| Keep them at home | Legal throughout the United States. Tell someone what you would like done with them later. |
| Bury them | In a cemetery plot, often an existing family grave, or an urn garden. Ask the cemetery about its fees and whether it requires an urn vault. |
| Place them in a niche | A columbarium at a cemetery or place of worship. A VA national cemetery is free for eligible veterans. |
| Scatter on private land | With the owner’s permission. On your own land, no permission is needed in most places. |
| Scatter on public land | Ask the agency that manages it. National parks generally require a permit and set conditions. |
| Scatter at sea | At least three nautical miles from shore, and report it to the Environmental Protection Agency within 30 days. |
| Divide them | Allowed. The funeral home can divide them, or you can use keepsake urns. |
Scattering at sea, lakes and rivers
Ocean scattering falls under a federal general permit. The remains must be released at least three nautical miles from land, anything placed in the water with them must break down readily, and you must notify the EPA within 30 days. No application is needed beforehand.
Lakes, rivers and other inland waters are governed by the states. Some require a permit. Check with the state environmental or health agency.
Flying with ashes
The Transportation Security Administration allows cremated remains in carry-on bags, and many airlines prefer that to checking them. The container has to be scannable: wood, plastic or cardboard pass through the X-ray, while metal, stone and ceramic often do not. Officers will not open a container, so one they cannot see into will not be allowed through. Carry the cremation certificate with you and check your airline’s rules.
For international travel, ask the destination country’s embassy or consulate what documents it requires.
Mailing ashes
Within the United States, only the Postal Service may ship cremated remains. It requires Priority Mail Express and its own cremated-remains box, which post offices provide. Private carriers do not accept them.
Faith traditions
Views differ. The Catholic Church permits cremation and asks that the ashes be kept together in a sacred place such as a cemetery, not scattered or kept at home. Some traditions prefer burial, and some require cremation. If this matters to your family, speak to your clergy before deciding.
Questions about ashes
Is it legal to scatter ashes anywhere?
No. You need permission from whoever owns or manages the land. Public parks, beaches and sports grounds each have their own rules, and many require a permit.
Can I keep ashes at home?
Yes, anywhere in the United States.
Do I need an urn?
No. The container the ashes are returned in is sufficient. If you want an urn you can buy one anywhere, and the funeral home must accept it without charging a fee.
How long can a funeral home keep unclaimed ashes?
State law sets a minimum period, after which a funeral home may place unclaimed remains in a common grave or niche. If you need more time, tell the funeral home.
- Environmental Protection Agency, Burial at Sea
- Transportation Security Administration, cremated remains
- US Postal Service, shipping cremated remains
- VA National Cemetery Administration, burial benefits
General information, not legal advice. State and local rules vary.