Not A Happy Topic - Scattering Someones Ashes

[puternut]

An event on a soap this week was the topic of conversation for OH, others and myself this week.

In 'Eastenders' a family decided to scatter the ashes of a newly departed relative in what appeared to be a public place - a park I think - and did so without consulting anybody if this was allowed.

Some of the people discussing said this was quite legal and proper but I thought they would need the permission of someone or some body (Council?).

Who is correct?

[bednobs]

i suppose that technically you would need permission, however who is going to stop you if you just did it? and if they did try to stop you, short of holding your arms down, they couldn't

[daffy654]

You would have to check local by-laws. Some areas allow it, others don't. The same goes for burying deceased pets in gardens, for example those in Hull who have a council tenancy are not allowed to bury deceased animals in their garden, you have to ring up environmental health and they send out a refuse collector to pick up the corpse, I had to do this for my cat when I lived there :(

[shoota]

http://www.scattering-ashes.co.uk/help-advice/law/

[RATTER15]

I think the only offence would be littering in the park, ashes are not considered body parts and can be strewn anywhere.

[Zacs-Master]

No they can't.
http://www.scattering-ashes.co.uk/help-advice/law/historical-sites/

[237SJ]

I think that in theory, you need the landowner`s permission.

[tenrec]

The National Trust don't like you scattering ashes on some of the Lake District Fells.

[Zacs-Master]

National Trust England and Wales – states: “The National Trust does not have a formal policy on this but is happy to consider requests on the basis that there are no environmental problems (ie. possible contamination of water courses or sources, no accompanying permanent or indeed ephemeral markers), that it is not against any wishes that may have been expressed by a donor [of the property], and that the act of scattering the ashes is done discreetly and in private with no interference with others’ enjoyment of a property. We would also not expect that visitors to the property could see any visual presence of ashes. If these conditions can be met and subject to local arrangements being made with the General Manager or Property Manager at the appropriate property, consent can be granted.”