These Are The Places In Texas Where You Can Legally Scatter the Ashes of a Loved One

More and more these days people are opting to be cremated rather than being buried. For some it's due to cost that loved ones may be responsible for, but for others, they want to be cremated with final wishes to be spread somewhere that means something to them.

And in Texas, we have plenty of places across the state that mean a lot to different people. Whether it's rivers, mountains, beaches, lakes, or under a tree, there are plenty of spots that people love. And according to ATX Cremation, over 50% of people who are cremated want their ashes to be in a "sentimental place".

Where In Texas Can You Scatter a Loved One's Ashes?

Texas law allows you to scatter ashes over "uninhabited public land, over a public waterway or sea, or on someone's private property with proper consent". And of course you have to remove the ashes from the container unless it's biodegradable. According to ATX Cremation, the process of cremation renders ashes harmless, so there is no public health risk when scattering ashes. But you still need to get permission if you are on someone's land.

The good news is that in Texas, you can spread a loved one's ashes in many different areas. There really are no state laws according to thelivingurn. There could be some local or even federal rules though that you may need to know about first.

One big rule? Don't leave the urn behind. That would be littering.

Can You Scatter Ashes at Sea, on a Beach, or at a Lake?

The Clean Water Act states that to spread ashes at sea, one must be 3 nautical miles from land. When it comes to spreading ashes on a beach, this is something that you are not supposed to do, though many people still do. Officially, when it comes to spreading ashes on a lake, you made need to get a permit or approval from the agency that manages the lake.

Can You Scatter Ashes at State or National Parks in Texas?

ATX Cremation suggested that you ask permission before doing this and some National Parks have their own guidelines on where this can be done, but for the most part, it looks like you can.

A great piece of advice from ATX Cremation is that when spreading ashes, use your best judgement and think about others.