A Guide to Where we can Scatter Cremated Remains Over Land in CA.
We often get asked about where we can release ashes by airplane over land. California law requires that we have written permission from the property owner or governing agency to scatter over land locations.
Over the past 20 years, we have worked with many types of agencies to arrange scatterings cremated remains over land. We work with State Parks, National Parks, Conservancies, and private property owners. It has been our experience that some agencies are more open to scattering cremated remains than other agencies.
Ash Scattering over California State Parks
California State Parks have a written statute that allows for scattering of cremated remains, with the Park Superintendent having the final say about where and when it is permitted. The main considerations for California State Parks include the overall size of the park and whether there is good area for the scattering that would be away from lakes and streams and not bother other park visitors. Also, the State Parks will not allow scattering of ashes over an area where Native American Remains have been discovered. There is usually an application process that the family must complete, and A Journey With Wings can help with that. It usually takes about a week to obtain permission to scatter cremated remains over a California State Park.
Ash Scattering over National Parks
National Parks have been less predictable than California State Parks. Ultimately, it is solely up to the Park Superintendent to determine if scattering over the park will be permitted. Some National Parks are very accommodating with scattering cremated remains, but others do not allow it at all. Some require a written letter requesting permission from the family, and others have a downloadable permit on their website to fill out and send in. If a National Park encompasses Native American lands and burial sites, scattering cremated remains is not usually an accepted activity.
Ash Scattering over Nature Conservancies
Nature Conservancies are independent of one another and do not have a standard policy. I have found that Nature Conservancies are often open to allow us to release ashes by airplane over their property if the deceased had a connection to the area and enjoyed visiting.
Ash scattering over Bureau of Land Management and National Forests
We have not had success getting written permission from National Forests or land overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Neither agency is against scattering cremated remains, but they will not give written permission to do so. Therefore, scattering over National Forest or BLM land in California is not be possible at this time. It could be possible to scatter over these types of areas in states that do not require written permission from the property owner or governing agency. For example, we can release ashes by airplane over the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, but not over the western side that is in California.
So what can you do? The best thing to do is reach out to us to find out what is possible and how to obtain a permit. The laws do change on occasion, as do the Park Superintendents, so the locations where we offer aerial scatterings also change from time to time.
We hope this information on where we can release ashes by airplane helps. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about specific locations and we will try to help.