What Is A Scattering Urn?

A scattering urn is an urn designed specifically for scattering ashes. There are a number of problems with traditional urns that scattering urns address. With traditional urns, it can be hard to control the amount of ashes that are scattered at any given point, making it more difficult to scatter at multiple locations. Blowback from wind is another problem that scattering urns address.

Traditional urns are typically designed with a relatively simple opening, like a lid. Scattering urns are designed with an opening that is quite a bit smaller than the size of the urn. This allows you to scatter fewer ashes at any given time, giving you a degree of control. Some scattering urns have openings that you can reclose, simplifying transportation.

There are people who want to travel outside of the country in order to scatter remains at a special place. This is acceptable by government officials under some circumstances, but not every urn is permitted on a plane. Talk to your funeral director when purchasing a scattering urn to ensure that it complies with travel guidelines. Fortunately, most scattering urn manufacturers are aware of travel restrictions and design their urns with those restrictions in mind.

Scattering urns are designed to only release ashes when you actively try to scatter them. As mentioned above, they often have resealable openings of a relatively small size. This allows you to open the urn and scatter ashes without the risk of wind blowing ashes away. This degree of control also allows you to only begin scattering when wind has died down, and to reposition yourself with ease.

Sizes can vary significantly for scattering urns. There are urns that can contain all of a person’s ashes, but many individuals opt for smaller scattering urns. This can be useful if there are a lot of friends and family who want to scatter ashes. You might also opt for a smaller size if you want to keep some of the ashes with you, or in a columbarium, or in another memorial place.

Many scattering urns are 100% biodegradable - this is in part a consequence of governments restricting travel with metal or stone urns. You might arrange to have a biodegradable urn buried at a memorial forest, provided they accept urn burials. Though these urns are biodegradable, they generally only start to degrade upon contact with soil, so you can still keep them in your home for years.

Scattering urns - and indeed all urns - come in many different shapes, sizes, and colours. You can keep them with you for as long as you need - when you’re ready, you’ll be able to use them to scatter ashes. We can help you choose the right scattering urn, whether you’ve experienced a loss or you’re pre-planning your own memorial. We provide cremation services in Winnipeg, including scattering services. Should you have any questions about cremation, scattering urns, or memorial services in general, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. You can also check our blog for more resources. We’re here for you.