Public Private Partnership in the Funeral world – An Oxymoron? Why do so many crematoria look so down at heal? In many local authorities there has been a complete lack of investment in their crematoria. As a consequence some families are not getting quality or good value funerals plus there is higher air pollution with […]
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A Survey of Best Places to Scatter Ashes … really?!
Always on the hunt for Scattering Ashes news and alerts: a recent ‘survey’ got some press coverage – of the best places to scatter ashes in the UK. Actually, to be fair to them they called it an analysis, but as it got picked up by the media they then labelled it a survey. So […]
Continue readingMore TagAshes Scattered for you Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond Celebrants … Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies. We are Laura & John, of Loch Lomond Celebrants, and following several requests for Scattering of Ashes Ceremonies, the following information may be useful for anyone considering this meaningful ceremony for their loved one. There are two ways in which this ceremony can be held, either with […]
Continue readingMore TagClyde Estuary and Firth of Clyde: Boat for Scattering Ashes
Scattering Ashes on the River Clyde Location Dunoon Area of operation Clyde Estuary and Firth of Clyde Type of boat Motor boat Duration of trip Bespoke Capacity of boat 8 Refreshments Tea and coffee are free – other refreshments can be organised if required – there is a fridge aboard and soft drinks may be […]
Continue readingMore TagCan someone scatter ashes for me? Yes
Can someone scatter ashes for me? A lot of people leave last requests regarding where they want their ashes to be scattered, as family member or friend this may turn out to be quite an onerous task. People’s choice of locations for the final resting place of their ashes can be hugely varied – a […]
Continue readingMore TagMortonhall Crematorium – Tough Talking their way back into the people’s hearts?
Mortonhall Crematorium Mortonhall crematorium in Edinburgh has had more than its fair share on controversy. In 2013 it was the centre of the baby ashes scandal. They had been disposing of premature baby ashes and telling parents there weren’t any ashes to collect. This caused a huge furore and quite rightly so! (see our previous […]
Continue readingMore TagDumping of Ashes makes a Scottish beauty spot unsightly
Scatter ashes at beauty spots hits the papers again For ten years I have writing about scattering ashes, where you can and where you can’t, what you should and shouldn’t do. In fact, in one of my early post I had angry walker in the Lake District blaming me [how very dare he!] for the […]
Continue readingMore TagScattering ashes location for Sikh and Hindus in Glasgow Scotland
Inverclyde council in Scotland which is on the banks of the Clyde River is the first authority in Scotland to make official provision for the Sikh and Hindu community. They have done this by allocating a place for the scattering of ashes into river, so that the community can carry out funeral rites. The council […]
Continue readingMore TagTV wants to hear from families that want to scatter or have them scattered at an iconic landmark
Denhams TV in Plymouth are making a television programme for ITV and would love to hear real-life stories from people who have decided to do something extra special with ashes to commemorate a life. The programme is a celebration of Britain’s most iconic landmarks and we would like to highlight the British public’s connection with […]
Continue readingMore TagThe Six Nations Rugby Tournament, Guinness and Scattering Ashes
The Six Nations 2019. Hold the press, someone has invented some spooky mind ray thing and they are somehow extracting thoughts, I blame the Google Street View van. It must have some clever gizmo on it that is harvesting thought waves. This must be the only plausible explanation, otherwise how else could the advertising agency […]
Continue readingMore TagWhat does Rod Stewart want to do with his ashes?
Rod Stewart’s Ashes Veteran rocker Rod Stewart wants his ashes to be scattered at Celtic Park (the home ground of the Celtic Football Club), or failing that Hampden Park (Scotland’s national football stadium) Nothing odd about that, he is a well known football supporter and associated with all things Scottish. It then occurred to me, […]
Continue readingMore TagRegional variations in our relationship with ashes
By and large us Brits are of a mind when it comes to cremation and the scattering of ashes – across age, political persuasion, gender and locality we are broadly similar in outlook. With one notable exception – The older we get the more we would prefer to be cremated. However, the recent YouGov survey on […]
Continue readingMore TagScattering Ashes Service across the UK and overseas
Scattering Ashes Service Scattering Ashes Service across the UK and overseas. Are you looking for your loved one’s ashes to be scattering at a particular destination within the UK or overseas but are unable to do this yourself? We can help. Many of us will have a place in mind that we want our ashes […]
Continue readingMore TagSo what are ashes worth? Morton hall case settled out of court
One thing we constantly hear is ashes are “Priceless”. But money is money and when the solicitors get involved the only language is hard cash. The Scottish Morton hall scandal has been widely reported: the ashes of stillborn or very young children were not returned to the parents, they were told there were not any […]
Continue readingMore TagFree Ashes Guide: What to do with Ashes now – available to people working with bereaved families
Free Ashes Guide. Free Ashes Guide. We have been blogging and writing on the subject of ashes for a several years now, and we have produced a lot of guidance on what people could do with ashes. However, until now we have only had this information available on the website and our guide book*. The […]
Continue readingMore TagFirth of Forth, South Queensferry: East Scottish Coast
Scattering Ashes at Sea Edinburgh Location Hawes Pier, South Queensferry, which is 50yds from the famous Forth Bridge. Area of operation Within 15 miles of South Queensferry, Near Edinburgh Available From April to October, but can accommodate small groups on our Cabin RIB November to March. Disabled Access None Average Response Time Average response time is […]
Continue readingMore TagScattering Ashes is the nation’s favourite choice!
Fact: 79% of those wishing to be cremated want their ashes scattered. Which means about 2/3rds of us in total (80% of people are cremated). The result of a recent YouGov survey confirmed what we have believed for years, if you want to be cremated then most of you want your ashes to be scattered. The […]
Continue readingMore TagAshes into Fireworks: Self-fire or an organised display?
Ashes into fireworks Are you considering going out with a bang? Putting cremation ashes into fireworks – what are the things you need to think about… There are two main options for you: Having your ashes in a firework display or having the ashes placed in a rocket or a self-firing fireworks box. There are advantages […]
Continue readingMore TagThe case of the Cremation without the family knowing
This is the sad case of Mr Fitzpatrick who passed way in August. He had suffered depression for some time and it is believed he committed suicide. At the time he was living on his own, his children had left home and he was estranged from his partner, with whom we was still on good […]
Continue readingMore TagQuestion: When does a story of a woman’s broken ankle make the nationals?
Answer: when it happened while scattering ashes Lynda Crowther a resident of Runcorn, Cheshire, was on a family trip to North Ayreshire in Scotland to scatter the ashes her mother. On the walk she broke her ankle in a pothole and due to the remote location needed an air ambulance to remove her from the […]
Continue readingMore TagDon’t put Scatter Tubes in the water!
Scatter tubes are not designed to be placed in the water. They are made of a thick dense card, which also has an semi impervious layer of ink, the result is they are likely to float and will not sink for some considerable time: meaning that you loved ones ashes may end up on shore or […]
Continue readingMore TagStudent uses grandfather’s ashes to create a night sky
Death and art seem to have a long relationship from the medieval depiction of what happens to sinners in hell to Damien Hirst’s animals in formaldehyde. There are a few artists that offer for people to have ashes incorporated into art. However here we have a final year photography student using his grandfather’s ashes to […]
Continue readingMore TagDigging a road through a scattering site – an infringement of human rights?
There is a plan to put a road through a section of crematoria land in Perth Scotland and the local residents aren’t happy. Perth council plan to ease congestion in that part of the city involves shaving a strip of land off of the crematoria grounds, which is not the actual garden of remembrance although […]
Continue readingMore TagWhat is the price of ashes?
The Mortonhall scandal in Edinburgh was dreadful, the practice where the crematoria did not return or offer to return stillborn or new-born babies ashes to the parents after cremation, with the reason that there was nothing to return, when in many instances this was untrue and very wrong. The subsequent mea culpa from the municipal […]
Continue readingMore TagForestry Commission Scotland policy on scattering ashes
Good news, Forestry Commission Scotland has a more progressive and enlightened view of dealing with those who wish to scatter the ashes of a loved one compared to their neighbours south of the border. Scotland’s National Forest Estate covers nearly 9% of Scotland and comprises forests, woodland and open ground. And in their words ‘It’s […]
Continue readingMore TagWho gets the ashes: funeral directors caught in the crossfire
The law is not the most dynamic of tools and the law regarding cremation is not at the top of the legislators agenda. It is not set up to find the ‘right home’ for the ashes, it looks at it from the point of view of correct and efficient disposal. However there are two well […]
Continue readingMore TagMoney raised for charities from metal reclaimed from a crematoria to top £2m
Now this is good news. The money raised for charities from the recycled metals the arise from cremation is set to reach £2m. When a body is cremated the non-combustible parts are left behind: the bones (the ashes) and any metal which arises. This metal was historically just the ironwork used to make […]
Continue readingMore TagScottish Wildlife Trust Policy on cremated remains
This is there policy summary: Scottish Wildlife Trust (SWT) will not permit burials of bodies or ashes on its wildlife reserves. However, SWT is happy to consider the scattering of ashes in a sensitive manner on reserves, and in exceptional circumstances will also consider memorials. You are supposed to contact the relevant Scottish Wildlife Trust […]
Continue readingMore TagThe changing face of municipal memorialsation
It would seem councils are waking up to the fact that people are general cremated and now that people no longer scatter their loved ones ashes at the crematoria that they may have changing role in relation to public memorialisation. I came across this from Kelso in Scotland. A councillor has been petitioning Scottish Borders […]
Continue readingMore TagProfessional Photographer needs your help on scattering stories – ‘HERE I AM’
Can you help me? I am looking for stories of why and where ashes have been scattered. ‘Here I am’ is a photographic project I started a couple of years ago based around the themes of memory and loss. I had been working with the NHS on an End of Life project, which entailed talking […]
Continue readingMore TagFacebook to the rescue again!
Two positive stories about Facebook in one week! Fingers crossed I will be on the payroll soon. This is the story of a man who had his mother ashes returned to him after a Facebook appeal. A thief stole his van in Bridport, Dorset then returned the ashes (not the van) presumably after having his […]
Continue readingMore TagLoch Lomond: Sterling
Scattering Ashes over Loch Lomond Scotland Location Luss Pier, Loch Lomond Area of operation Loch Lomond Type of boat See above Duration of trip 30 Mins – 60 Mins – more if required Capacity of boat The boats can accommodate a maximum of 7 passengers per boat [8 persons including our driver] larger groups can […]
Continue readingMore TagNorth Berwick and Firth of Forth: East Lothian
Scattering Ashes at Sea – North Berwick Scotland Location North Berwick, twenty-five miles from Edinburgh Area of operation Firth of Forth usually around North Berwick but can go further afield Type of Boat Starfish 8, 28ft workboat Duration of trip 30 – 1hr, greater if required Capacity of boat 10 Refreshments Clients can bring their […]
Continue readingMore TagRSPBs policy on scattering ashes at their nature reserves
If you are a bird lover then it is good news. We have asked The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) whether you are allowed to scatter cremation ashes at their natures reserves, they even have an ‘In-Memoriam’ Co-ordinator who was very kind and provided the following response – The RSPB do say […]
Continue readingMore TagHow should Cremation Authorities pack and dispatch ashes after cremation
What should Crematoria do and what should you expect? The following is based on a Best practise briefing produced by the Federation of Burial and Cremation Authorities (UK), I have provided a link at the bottom to the actual guidance. In essence their primary responsibility is to ensure you receive the ashes safely and in […]
Continue readingMore TagIs there space for Columbariums to be an option for ashes the UK
Is there space for Columbariums to be an option for ashes the UK? I think so, in fact I think they are really overlooked in the UK. My only beef is the ones I see here in the UK and to a certain extent the US are a bit ugly and too utilitarian. There is no imagination, no […]
Continue readingMore TagRepatriation of ashes or sending ashes abroad
Sending ashes abroad or repatriating them can be a difficult problem, few couriers are willing to handle them, mainly due to the fact that they are beyond value to a loved one – so how could you put a price on that? The second issue is the paperwork – every country seems to have […]
Continue readingMore TagBoats on a Map
These are the locations of boats available for hire in UK for scattering ashes. Have a look for a suitable location on our interactive Google Map.
Continue readingMore TagCan you send cremation ashes in the post?
Royal Mail Policy on sending Ashes in the post You cannot send the whole amount of cremated human remains / cremation ashes in the post. You can however send up to 50g of ashes. The Post Office prohibits the full amount being sent either: nationally via Royal Mail and Parcelforce and internationally through Parcelforce Worldwide UK, which includes mail […]
Continue readingMore TagWhat happened to the ashes of antenatal or neonatal deaths in Scotland
Following the Mortonhall baby scandal, The Herald Scotland looked into the practice of authorities, the results have been set out below, along with a link to the original article. Accurate at the time of publishing (Mar 2013) Authority / Crematoria Comment and or policy Glasgow City Council / “It was often not possible to collect […]
Continue readingMore TagMortonhall Ashes Scandal
The Edinburgh crematoria at Mortonhall is at the centre of a scandal. Prior to 2007 it was their policy not to return the ashes of stillborn children and very small infants (antenatal or neonatal babies). The basis for this, it would appear, was a blanket policy to inform parents that there would be no ashes […]
Continue readingMore TagEven TripAdvisor is joining in!
Well sort of, I came across someone last week asking for tips for a location to scatter their mothers ashes “Good place on Lewis to scatter ashes My mother sadly passed away in October and the family is hoping to have a get-together next July to commemorate her life and scatter her ashes in […]
Continue readingMore TagEx Nazi to have his ashes scattered where he was a PoW
A German soldier left his estate to a Scottish the village of Comrie, Perthshire and is to have his cremation ashes scattered there where he was a prisoner of war camp during WWII. Heinrich Steinmeyer was a soldier in the Wafhen SS and was captured fighting to defend a bridge in Caen, Normandy. Mr Steinmeyer […]
Continue readingMore TagMoray Firth: Inverness
Scattering Ashes at Sea on the Moray Firth Scotland Location Bay/Moray Firth Area of operation Anywhere (except small pioneer which is restricted to the bay only) Type of boat Pioneer multi 8.5m Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) ‘Buchaneer’ 3. 7.85m Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) ‘Privateer’ 31ft Sailing Catamaran ‘Meercat’ Duration of trip As required Capacity of boat […]
Continue readingMore TagUp Helly Aa – Vikings we have the cremation urn for you!
News to me, but apparently Up Helly Aa is the largest fire festival in Europe. It takes place in Lerwick, Shetland, on the last Tuesday in January every year. There are hundreds of people in Viking attire parading through the streets, which ends up with a Viking longboat being set alight (the call is it […]
Continue readingMore TagAusterity measures impacting grieving families: Scottish crematoria shutting on a Saturday and Sunday
The article below from the Perthshire Advertiser whilst seemingly local, throws up some very interesting questions around bereavement services, their cost and availability. Perth Council have decided to retain ownership of their crematoria. A move welcomed by local funeral directors on the grounds that it will keep costs down for families. However, they have chosen […]
Continue readingMore TagScattering Ashes – Ashes into Fireworks: UK wide
Ashes into Fireworks Ashes into fireworks: Professional firework displays incorporating ashes are a fantastic way to celebrate the life of a loved one. They are truly fantastic events, scattering the ashes over the heavens. It is a scattering ceremony that will stay forever in the memory. We have a range of options for you. Advantages […]
Continue readingMore TagScattering Ashes – Biplane: Scotland and beyond
Ashes Scattered from s Plane – Scotland Would you like your ashes spread from a beautiful vintage Starduster Bi-Plane? What a magnificent send off the aircraft is based on the iconic bi-planes of the 1930’s this beautiful 2 seater plane capable of incredibly spectacular manoeuvres. A symbolic smoke trail from the aircraft enhances the display […]
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