Spreading of Ashes Question. (1 Viewer)

[Richard Travale]

I have looked it up and I know it is legal to transport cremated remains to the USA as long as the container can be X-rayed.

What I can't find though is if it's legal in the state of Hawaii to spread the ashes.

Does anyone here know if it's legal or not and under what circumstances either way?

 

[Michael_K_Sr]

Don't know if it's legal, but some of my great aunt's ashes were spread around Maui.

 

[ChrisMatson]

Here are some places that might know, although they may charge money for their services:
http://www.oahucemetery.org/cremation.html
http://www.alohascattering.com/homepage.html
http://volcanogallery.com/ashesinparadise/

My condolences.

 

[Linda Thompson]

Here's a professional scattering service (mountain or sea), so I assume it must be legal:

http://www.alohascattering.com/


Edit - looks like Chris posted while I was still searching.

I hope you find a simple solution to your need.

 

[Yee-Ming]

My guess is that regulations, if any, will be from an environmental perspective, so I'd look at website of the local office of the EPA (if there's one), or the state equivalent.

When my grandmother passed away in Germany, the funeral and cremation were held there, and the German authorities wanted something official confirming that I would be able to bring the ashes into Singapore, before allowing me to take them out of Germany, so I got a letter from the Ministry of the Environment stating that there was no prohibition, and no requirement for any formal permit (unlike say bringing home a body). Not quite the same thing, but might point you in the right direction.

 

[Richard Travale]

Well judging by the fact that there are businesses that do this, I am thinking that it must not be illegal.
I have emailed the crematorium and asked them just to be sure.

Thank you for the condolences.

 

[MarkHastings]

I don't mean any disrespect by this comparison, but it might be similar to dumping trash. It's illegal to do it yourself (i.e. anywhere you want), but there are businesses that will let you dump trash in their area.

What I mean is, just because there are businesses that allow it, that doesn't mean it's legal to do it yourself. There are probably permits and laws that must be obtained and observed in order to do it. Definitely check all aspects out before proceeding.

Considering the emotional aspect of what you're going to do, the last thing you want is to get in trouble or arrested for it.

Hopefully everything does work out for you though.

 

[Richard Travale]

Thanks Mark,
I know exactly what you mean and right after I wrote that I thought the same thing but it was very late and I was about to go to bed.
I did find this though on that oahucemetary site which in my opinion (and you guys can tell me if I'm reading it wrong) sounds like it's ok to do it.

 

[MarkHastings]

Richard, it sounds like a complicated matter. Some of the posts I've searched for said that it is illegal to spread ashes, and some say it isn't.

This site had some interesting info:
http://www.nps.gov/havo/manage/remains.htm

It sounds like there are places where a permit isn't required and it is quite legal, but it also seems like there are definitely areas where it is illegal or requires a permit.

I guess it all depends on where you plan on doing it.

 

[kapakahi]

The scattering of cremated human remains in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park should be planned as a small private affair, held away from high visitor use areas. You are welcome to hold your ceremony anywhere the general public may go, with the exception of Halema`uma`u Crater as it is a location of high visitation and a sacred site to many Native Hawaiians

 

[Joseph DeMartino]

State of Hawaii - Department of Land & Natural Resources

So it sounds like you'll need to have an idea of where you plan to scatter the ashes and then contact (or check the website) of the county involved.

Regards,

Joe

 

[Chris Lockwood]

> I guess it all depends on where you plan on doing it.

Or more realistically, who is around when you're doing it.