Deciding what to do with a loved one’s ashes is a deeply personal choice. There is no right or wrong answer, and there is no rush. Whether you want to keep the ashes close, scatter them in a meaningful place, or create a lasting tribute, the decision is entirely yours.
This guide walks through the options available in the UK – from the more traditional routes to some of the newer, more personal ways people are choosing to remember someone.
After a cremation, the remains are carefully processed into a fine, pale grey powder known as ‘ashes’ or, more formally, ‘cremated remains’. An adult’s ashes typically weigh between 1.8 kg and 3.6 kg (roughly 4 to 8 lbs) and fill a volume of about 3.5 litres (roughly filling a container about the size of a small shoebox).
The crematorium or funeral director will place the ashes into a container for you. You can then collect the ashes yourself or ask for them to be held until you are ready.
There are more choices available today than ever before. Your main options fall into five broad categories:
| Option | What It means |
|---|---|
| Keep at home | Store ashes in a decorative urn, casket, or keepsake displayed in your home. |
| Scatter | Release ashes at a meaningful location on land or over water. |
| Bury or inter | Place ashes in a cemetery plot, garden of remembrance, or natural burial ground. |
| Creative tribute | Memorial fireworks, keepsake jewellery, drone scattering, garden memorials. |
| Share between family | Divide ashes into smaller keepsake urns, jewellery, or hearts for each member. |
You don’t have to choose just one option. Many families scatter some of the ashes, keep a portion in a keepsake, and share the rest among loved ones.
Keeping ashes at home is one of the most popular choices in the UK. For some people, having them nearby brings a sense of comfort – especially in the early months.
If you plan to keep the ashes, you’ll probably want something more permanent than the temporary container.
A display urn or ashes casket is designed to sit beautifully in your home. These come in a wide range of styles and materials to suit any setting, from traditional wooden caskets made from solid oak, pine, or mahogany, to contemporary metal urns in hand-finished brass and aluminium designs.
Many urns can be personalised with an engraving of a loved one’s name, dates, or a short message. Double ashes caskets are also available for couples who wish to rest together.
A memorial vase urn looks and works like a flower vase, with a securely sealed ashes chamber inside. These urns let you display fresh flowers while keeping your loved one close. For some people, this feels less formal and more natural in the home.
If you want to keep a small amount of ashes rather than the full amount, a keepsake urn is ideal. These smaller vessels hold a portion of ashes and are perfect for sharing among family members.
Memory frames offer another thoughtful option. A natural wooden picture frame conceals a small scatter tube on the back, holding a tiny amount of ashes out of sight while displaying a cherished photograph.
If you’re considering keeping ashes at home, Memoria Direct Cremation offers a range of urns, keepsakes, and scatter tubes designed for different preferences and budgets. You can request a catalogue or call us on 0800 007 3620 – our team will be happy to talk you through the options.
Scattering ashes is an increasingly popular way to say a final goodbye. It can feel peaceful and meaningful, especially when done at a place that held special significance for the person who has died.
In the UK, you can scatter ashes in most places, provided you have permission from the landowner. Common choices include:
You should avoid scattering ashes on someone else’s land without asking, and be respectful of other people nearby. It is best to scatter in a quiet spot away from paths, picnic areas, and waterways used for swimming.
Once you’ve chosen a location, the next step is deciding how you’d like to scatter the ashes.
A scatter tube makes the scattering process simple and dignified. These purpose-made tubes have a ‘push-in’ tab lid that opens easily, allowing you to release the ashes smoothly and gently.
Standard scatter tubes come in various sizes and are available in a wide range of designs including bluebell woods, ascending doves, sunflowers, and poppies. They contain no metal or plastic and can be recycled or composted after use.
For a more lasting keepsake, bronze and pewter metal scatter tubes offer an elegant alternative. These can be engraved with a name and are designed to be kept as a memento after scattering.
Drone scattering is a newer option that allows ashes to be released from the air over a meaningful location. A specialist drone carries a small amount of ashes and gently releases them at a chosen height and place, while the family watches from the ground. This can be a striking and moving experience, especially over open countryside or coastal locations.
Interment means placing ashes into the ground. For many families, this offers a permanent place to visit and remember someone. This could be in a cemetery, churchyard, or a dedicated garden of remembrance. Some people choose a traditional memorial such as a headstone or plaque, while others prefer something more natural, like a planted tree or rose bush.
Considering a memorial space?Some families choose to focus on creating a lasting place to visit, especially if they’ve opted for a direct cremation without a formal service. All of our crematoriums offer a range of memorial options - from traditional plaques and benches to more natural settings such as planted trees or gardens.
Most crematoriums, cemeteries and churchyards in the UK offer plots specifically for the interment of ashes. You will usually need to buy a plot and pay an interment fee. Some families choose to inter ashes in an existing family grave.
If an eco-friendly approach is important to you, biodegradable urns are designed to break down naturally in the ground or water. Options include:
Not everyone wants something traditional. For families looking for something truly unique, there are now many creative ways to celebrate the life of someone who has passed away.
A memorial firework display is a spectacular and emotional way to say goodbye. Ashes are carefully incorporated into firework rockets and barrages, which are then launched into the night sky as a tribute.
Options range from self-fire tribute packages that families can set off themselves, to professionally fired displays with musical choreography.
Ashes jewellery allows you to carry a tiny amount of your loved one’s remains with you wherever you go. This is a particularly meaningful option for family members who want a personal, wearable connection to the person they have lost.
A garden memorial creates a living, lasting tribute in a place you visit every day.
If environmental responsibility matters to you, there are many thoughtful, sustainable ways to handle cremation ashes.
Yes. There is no legal restriction on dividing cremation ashes in the UK. Many families choose to share ashes so that each member can keep, scatter, or memorialise a portion in their own way.
Smaller keepsake urns, heart keepsakes, and jewellery pendants are all designed for this purpose.
In the UK, cremation ashes are not legally considered human remains, which means they are not subject to the same regulations as a body. However, there are some important points to be aware of:
If there is a dispute within the family about what to do with ashes, the person who arranged the cremation (or the executor of the will) generally has the legal right to decide. It is always best to discuss wishes openly and reach an agreement together.
Choosing what to do with ashes can feel overwhelming, especially during a time of grief. Here are some questions that may help:
There is no deadline. If you are not ready to decide, it is perfectly fine to keep the ashes safely stored until you are.
Need help choosing the right option?We understand this can feel overwhelming. Our team can guide you through your options and provide a free copy of our ashes keepsakes and memorials catalogue.
There is no legal time limit for keeping ashes at home in the UK. You can keep them for as long as you wish in an urn, casket, or keepsake. Many families keep ashes at home permanently, and some choose to scatter or inter a portion when they feel ready.
Yes, scattering ashes is legal in the UK. You can scatter on your own land freely. For other locations, you should get permission from the landowner. Scattering in rivers or at sea is generally accepted, but the Environment Agency advises avoiding areas near drinking water sources.
Yes. You do not need a licence to scatter ashes at sea in the UK. You should choose a location away from beaches, harbours, and areas used for swimming or fishing.
Yes. This allows each family member to memorialise their loved one in their own personal way.
The most affordable options include scattering ashes at a garden of remembrance (often free or a small fee) or using a standard scatter tube. Keeping ashes in the biodegradable box provided by the crematorium at no extra cost is also an option while you decide.
Yes, but you will need documentation. The crematorium provides a Certificate of Cremation, and you should check the entry requirements of your destination country. Airlines usually allow ashes in hand luggage, but it is wise to carry them in a non-metallic container to pass through security smoothly.
Usually, yes. Public parks are managed by local councils, and most require you to ask before scattering ashes. Some councils have designated areas for scattering. Contact your local authority to check the rules for the specific park you have in mind.
