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4 Beautiful Places to Have Your Ashes Scattered

Couple spending time together

If you don’t own cemetery property, or already have a spot reserved for scattering, you should plan your ash scattering location. Otherwise, your cremation ashes may become something that weighs on your family. They will mean to “do something” with them, but feel paralyzed by the decision. 

We recommend reserving a scattering location along with your other end-of-life planning details. Then, your loved ones will experience relief knowing they followed your last wishes.

Table of Contents

Planning a Future Scattering Service
How it Works
A Place to Visit
4 Beautiful Ways to Have Your Ashes Scattered
In a Scattering Garden
With a Memorial Tree
With a Flowering Memorial Shrub
Together with a Loved One

If you choose direct cremation, your remains will be processed and handed over to the person you specify. It skips the funeral home (and related fees) entirely. 

Then, your family can hold a memorial service on their schedule. After, they can send your ashes for scattering — whenever they feel ready. 

Planning a Future Scattering Service

You can reserve your ash scattering location as part of your final wishes. This gives your family peace of mind — knowing they carried out your last request.

At Rest Ashured, we can help you select a scattering location and reserve your spot. You’ll have documentation to keep with your other important files. Then, when the time comes, your family can simply contact us to start the process. 

How it Works

When you pre-plan with us, your family can contact us directly. The process follows a few simple steps.

1. Contact Us

We’ll review your account and confirm the details. 

2. Watch for a Rest Ashured package

We’ll ship everything they need including boxes, labels, tape, and simple instructions.

3. Ship the package

After following the packing instructions, your family will drop the package at a local post office. 

4. Receive a Certificate of Release

Once we receive the package, we’ll scatter your ashes in your reserved location. After this unattended scattering, we send a Certificate of Release that includes the date and the exact location of the scattering.

A Place to Visit

Scattering at our private property creates a place for your loved ones to visit in the future. Rest Ashured is situated on secluded, private property — recognized by the County and permanently safe from development and intrusion. 

However, this discrete location is not set up for day-to-day traffic. Therefore, we open the property twice a year for a special “Day of Celebration.” We will notify all families in our records in advance of these events.

We hold one event in the spring and another in the fall. On those two days, friends or family members are invited to come celebrate the life of a late loved one. Visitors use this time to remember and reflect.

4 Beautiful Ways to Have Your Ashes Scattered

We offer four beautiful ways to scatter ashes on our property. 

In a Scattering Garden

Scatter Garden in Virginia

Our scattering garden exists on a naturally beautiful mountaintop property. We cleared it slightly to enhance the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and portions of the James River. 

It’s an extraordinary site where every hour of the day brings new gifts. After sunrise, early morning clouds often nestle at eye level just across the river. A nearby waterfall provides soothing sounds of rest and tranquility. The light breeze is as constant as the abundant wildlife living in and around this bluff. Later, a spectacular sunset over majestic mountains will take center stage. And after the sun goes down, the stars take over; away from the glow of city lights, the crystal-clear views of the heavens are rivaled only by those of the mountains. Here, life is undisturbed and unfiltered…revealing the awe of the Creator’s handiwork each day.

If you select this option, we reverently scatter your ashes in our mountaintop garden. Then, we place your engraved memorial stone at your site.

With a Memorial Tree

Memorial tree in virginia

If you select a memorial tree, we will plant an evergreen tree in your honor. Your ashes will be placed around the base of the tree, a scattering process known as ringing. Fresh mulch will blanket the ashes and display your beautifully engraved memorial stone.

A Memory Tree can also be plantedMemory Tree Planning without your ashes.  Some families simply want a living memorial.  We plant a tree and place a memory stone below, to serve as a testament to the family’s love and reverence.

With a Decorative Memorial Shrub

River Rock Memorial Stone

You can also choose a decorative shrub for our memory garden. As we plant, we will respectfully scatter your ashes. Then,  we place an engraved and personalized memorial stone beneath your flowering shrub.

A memory shrub can also be planted without your ashes. After planting, we will place a memory stone at the base of your shrub.

Together with a Loved One

Together Forever Stone

Sometimes, couples wish to have their ashes scattered at the same time and place, forever intermingled. 

With the “Together Forever” option, both your ashes and a loved one will be added to our scattering garden at the same time. We place a joint memorial stone to display the couple’s names. We also offer this option for our memory trees.

With this service, the ashes of both individuals would be provided to Rest Ashured at the same time and released at the same time. This means that the scattering would not occur until both persons have passed. 

Ask Us About Having Your Ashes Scattered

At Rest Ashured, we help people say goodbye to their loved ones with unattended ash scattering ceremonies. 

We are honored by each scattering, and we strive to help people say goodbye with dignity and respect. If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

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13 Bible Verses to Memorialize the Interment of Ashes

bible on black background

When you say goodbye to someone you love, it can be hard to express your feelings. Several moments during the grieving process give an opportunity to speak about your relationship and the impact of the deceased on your life. In these moments, especially after the interment of ashes, many people find themselves at a loss for what to say. 

Through our connections with our clients, we’ve seen many different moments for memorializing loved ones.

Table of Contents

During the Ceremony
After the Memorial
Bible Verses to Remember Your Loved One

To begin, the memorial service or funeral provides a chance to share your thoughts. There are also moments after the ceremony that bring closure and peace. Many people appreciate time spent at their loved one’s scattering site for years into the future.

In this post, we provide Bible verses that you can use to memorialize your loved one.

During the Ceremony

Today, funerals can be adapted to a variety of formats. With cremation, people can choose between a formal funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life ceremony separate from scattering ashes. These may be formal, such as in a church or hall. Informal ceremonies have also become popular. These usually take place in a location of special significance to family and friends. 

Regardless of location and format, it can be hard to know what to say.

In most cases, it’s appropriate to speak from the heart. You can talk about familiar topics, such as:

  • How you met the deceased
  • Your favorite memory of them
  • Something special you shared
  • The last thing they said to you

Many people also like to read something that captures their feelings like a prayer, poem, or Bible verse. 

After the Memorial

After the memorial, you can select a location for the interment of ashes. It may be a traditional graveyard, a columbarium, or even a scattering garden. 

At our property, we provide a beautiful, mountaintop location for scattering ashes. Although the ash scattering ceremony is unattended, we do open up our property twice a year to visitors. We call these our Days of Celebration.

Once in the spring, and again in the fall, we invite friends and family members to visit their loved one’s memorial tree on our property. It’s a meaningful time to visit, remember and reflect.

During our celebration days, family members often mark the moment with a few private words of remembrance. 

Bible Verses to Remember Loved Ones

You may find it hard to summarize your sentiments in a single statement. As you remember your loved one, you can speak to their life, your relationship with them, and their impact on the world. Let the following Bible verses inspire your heartfelt message.

Deuteronomy 31:8, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Deuteronomy 31:9

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Psalm 9:9, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Psalm 9:9

The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalm 46:10, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Psalm 46:10

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 119:76, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Psalm 119:76

May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.

Psalm 121:1-2, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Psalm 121: 1

I lift up my eyes to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 147:3, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Psalm 147

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Isaiah 41:10, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Isaiah 41:10

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

John 14:27, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 16:22, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic John 16:22

So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic 2 Corinthians 1:3

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic 2 Corinthians 4:16

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Philippians 4:6-7, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Peter 5:10, NIV

Bible Verse Graphic 1 Peter 5:10

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.

Remembering Your Loved One

At Rest Ashured, we help people say goodbye to their loved ones. Our property contains a cremation ash scatter garden overlooking the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the James River. 

For those looking for a place to put the ashes of their loved ones to rest, we offer an unattended ash scattering ceremony. 

First, we ship you a special package with the appropriate containers. You can place it in the mail through your local post office. (We also provide personal pickup for an additional fee.) 

When we receive the ashes, we scatter them reverently on our mountaintop garden. We also place an engraved memorial stone at the site. Finally, we send you a keepsake Certificate of Release, noting the date and location of the placement.

We are honored by each scattering, and we strive to help people say goodbye with dignity and respect. If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

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How to Respectfully Inter Human Ashes

Loved ones holding hands

After the death and cremation of a close relative, our family decided to scatter their ashes on our beautiful mountain top property. This made us realize that many people have a similar need — a place to respectfully inter human ashes. 

We started Rest Ashured to fill that need. Many people don’t want to scatter in a traditional cemetery and prefer a beautiful, natural setting. 

So, we decided to create this small, family-owned business dedicated to honoring God and all his creation. We use the land He’s blessed us with to help others. People send us their loved ones’ ashes for scattering in our garden or with a memory tree. 

In our experience facilitating these scatterings, we’ve collected information that can help you ensure that your loved one’s ashes are handled reverently and interred with respect.

Table of Contents

Review Documentation
Consider Religious Beliefs or Personal Convictions
Find a Meaningful Resting Place
Store and Ship Appropriately

Inter Human Ashes with Care

The beauty of cremation is that it doesn’t force a timeline for your grief. You can wait as long as you desire before selecting a scattering site. In fact, many people even keep ashes in their homes for years while they mourn. 

When you’re ready, there are several considerations to help you choose the best resting place for your loved one’s remains.

Review your Loved One’s Documentation

Many people are overwhelmed by facilitating their loved one’s final wishes. As soon as your loved one passes, access their living quarters. Try to find important documents such as a last testament and will, financial records, and other important paperwork. 

For example, your loved one’s living will may explain where they would like their ashes interred. Some people provide explicit instructions. They may even have prepaid for a funeral planning service or reserved a scattering location. If so, follow their instructions and contact the appropriate service providers.

If your loved one did not plan, you will need to choose between the various options for disposing of human ashes. This includes:

  • Scattering in a garden or ocean
  • Planting the ashes with greenery or a tree
  • Interring in a cemetery
  • Burying in an urn garden
  • Placing in a Columbarium

You can weigh each of these options against your loved one’s wishes to choose the best scattering location. 

Consider Their Religious Beliefs or Personal Convictions

If your loved one did not specify what they would like done with their ashes after cremation, take their convictions into consideration. Many religions have rules about disposing of human ashes. If your loved one was a member of a specific institution (religious group, fraternity, etc.), you can inquire about options for their members. 

Churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious institutions can help advise on the appropriate way to put ashes to rest for someone affiliated with them.

If your loved one was part of the military or any fraternal services, notify them of your loved one’s passing. They will let you know if any special ceremonies and honors can be bestowed upon your loved one. Additionally, the Military or fraternal organizations often assist with the cost of a service or burial.

If your loved one was not part of a specific group, you may consider their personal convictions. For example, a conservationist may care about the impact of their interment on the environment. This can help you look for compatible options.

Find a Meaningful Resting Place

Once you have considered your loved one’s personality, preferences, and beliefs, you can find a meaningful resting place for their ashes. 

We recommend choosing a scattering option that aligns best with the memories you have with your loved one. 

Scatter Atop a Mountain Garden

Many people like the idea of scattering their loved one’s remains in a place they can visit from time to time. Ideally, it’s someplace registered for that purpose — and will be preserved over time. Scatter gardens are a wonderful option because they are filled with beauty and life. 

At Rest Ashured, we’ve actually created such a place in the Blue Ridge Mountains with breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, and carefully-kept memorials.

If you choose this service, you send the ashes to us through the mail. Then, we reverently scatter them on our mountaintop garden. Finally, we place an engraved memorial stone at the site and send a certificate of release. 

Although we keep the property closed to preserve the landscape, we open it twice a year for our days of celebration. During these days, we invite people to come and visit their loved one’s scattering sites. Visitors find it’s a meaningful time to pause, remember, and reflect.

Plant a Memorial Tree

As a resting place, a memorial tree celebrates a life well-lived by thriving in nature. Each year, as the tree grows taller, the memorial grows too. The tall trunk and long branches will point heavenward as a reminder of your loved one’s new home. 

This tree memorial scattering service is also on our property. Similar to the scattering garden, we receive your loved one’s ashes through the mail. Then, we prepare a site for a new tree. We scatter the ashes during the planting process. After planting, we place a stone at the base of the tree and send a certificate of release. 

The memorial trees are also available for visitation during the days of celebration. Our visitors enjoy seeing the tree grow each year.

Scatter Ashes at Sea

The ocean holds a special meaning for many people. Many people scatter ashes in the sea when the person has served in the Navy, Coast Guard, or Marines. Others choose it as a final resting place for fishermen. Many families like to choose a seaside close to a favorite vacation spot — where they spent quality time with their loved one. 

Burial at sea is legal as long as you abide by the EPA guidelines. This means you’ll need to be at least 3 nautical miles offshore and file the appropriate paperwork. We recommend choosing a scattering service that is familiar with these guidelines and operates in compliance with the regulations. Then you are free to focus on your family and friends during the scattering ceremony. 

At Rest Ashured, we offer two types of burial at sea: attended and unattended. Attended ceremonies allow the family and friends to journey with the remains on a boat to the scattering location. Unattended ceremonies take place without the family or friends present.

During these ceremonies, the boat captain navigates to the appropriate location for scattering. At that spot, we respectfully scatter the remains. Afterward, the boat captain ensures that the proper paperwork is filed with the EPA. 

Store and Ship Appropriately

When you receive human ashes from a crematorium, they usually give them to you in a plastic bag. This is often placed inside a temporary container made of card stock or a similar, temporary material. If you want to keep the ashes at home for a period of time, an urn gives you a reliable vessel to store and transport human ashes.

Tips for Transferring Ashes to an Urn

  1. Ensure the container is big enough before you transfer. Most adults’ ashes weigh between 4 to 8 lbs.
  2. You may need someone to help you with the transfer. They can hold the container to keep it steady. 
  3. Place your container on a flat, stable surface. Choose a surface you can easily wipe clean. 
  4. When you’re ready, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. This will help you pour them softly into the new container. 
  5. If your container is narrow, you may need a funnel to facilitate the process.
  6. At the end, there may be larger elements to add. Carefully cut open the bag to make this easier to transfer. 

After you’re done, make sure the container is properly sealed. This helps prevent any spilling and creates a stable environment inside the container. 

If you need to ship the ashes to an internment location, the USPS has guidelines for mailing cremated remains. 

Source: https://faq.usps.com/s/article/Shipping-Cremated-Remains-and-Ashes

How should Cremated Remains be mailed?

Can Cremated Remains be shipped internationally?

  • Cremated remains are permitted to be mailed to an international address when the designating country does not prohibit the contents and when Priority Mail Express International service is available to that country. 
  • You can verify this by checking the Individual Country Listing in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, International Mail Manual (IMM®). 

Do Cremated Remains have to be shipped using a Priority Mail Express box or the Cremated Remains Kit?

  • No, customers can use a box of their choice but are required to apply Label 139 to the package (available for order on The Postal Store® or from a retail counter) on all sides including the top and bottom. Customers may follow the guidelines for shipping Cremated Remains listed in Publication 139, How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains.

Why is the Postal Service requiring the use of Label 139?

  • The use of Label 139 is required to ensure visibility and importance of the package contents.

Where can I purchase a Cremated Remains Kit?

Can I obtain a Cremated Remains kit from a local post office?

  • No, the kit can only be ordered through the Postal Store on usps.com.

How do I pack and prepare the Cremated Remains for shipping?

Embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a1sgiwhPdY

If someone chooses to send their ashes to us, we make the process easier. We send you a package with everything you need to ship human ashes. We also provide pickup services to select locations. 

Inter with Care

If you choose to scatter your loved one’s remains, you must follow the laws for scattering human ashes. These are predominantly enforced and managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You cannot scatter in public or private areas without permission. Unless it is your own property, you must check the location beforehand to ensure you’re complying with local laws. 

One of the benefits of choosing a private scattering garden is that it has been prepared and registered for that purpose. So, you know that your loved one’s memorial will be preserved through time. Parks or residential areas may change ownership and your memorial may not be retained.

After you choose a scattering location and get the appropriate permission, you should plan for the following:

  1. Decide if the scattering will be attended or unattended. 
  2. If you choose to attend the scattering, find out if you can say something during the memorial. Often, people like to recite a prayer, poem or Bible verse.
  3. If you choose to send your ashes for scattering, find out what the process is for verifying the scattering. 
  4. Plan for the fees. Most memorial sites have some fees for the scattering services and reserving the space. 
  5. After the scattering, you’ll need to mark the location. Memorial stones and memorial trees are popular choices.
  6. Find out if you can visit at a later date. Many people find comfort in this ritual.

We can assist you with the scattering process if you choose one of our services at Rest Ashured. 

Send Cremated Remains to Rest Ashured

At Rest Ashured, we’re here to help you say goodbye. Our process follows five simple steps. 

First, you start by picking a scattering service. We offer a scattering garden, memory tree dedication, and burials at sea. You can see all your options on our Services Page.

Next, we’ll send you a package. This contains all you need to send us ashes for scattering including boxes, labels, and tape. It also contains simple instructions for how to prepare and post your package.

Then, you can ship the package to us using your local post office or favorite mail service. 

Once we receive your package, we scatter your loved one’s ashes as you specified. After the scattering, we send you a certificate of release. This marks the date and exact location of your scattering.

Get in Touch with Us

Whenever you’re ready, scattering the ashes allows you a final moment of closure and a place to visit for reflection. 

We are honored by each scattering, and we strive to help people say goodbye with dignity and respect. If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

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Why Choose a Memorial Garden Cemetery

Rest Ashured Scatter Garden with Proverbs 3:5-6

After a loved one has been cremated, many people struggle to decide what to do with the remains. Some people keep the ashes with them for a time before looking for a place to scatter the ashes. If the deceased didn’t specify details, a memorial garden cemetery becomes a beautiful final resting place. 

These gardens create a nature-inspired setting for memorials. Often, they include a memorial marker as a permanent record of the life that was lived. Also, it sets aside a location for the family to visit. 

A thoughtfully-chosen location honors the loved one’s life while also allowing closure for those who remain behind.

Table of Contents

What is a Memorial Garden?
Types of Memorial Gardens
Ideas to Honor Your Loved One

In comparison to traditional cemeteries, memorial gardens feel lighter and more joyful. These settings are serene and reverent, yet enhanced by the beauty of nature. Birds tweet, squirrels scamper, and the wind rustles through trees. Scattering in such a beautiful place connects the grieving process with deeper meaning.

Symbolically, scattering ashes in a memorial garden can represent a number of ideas:

  • Releasing your grief
  • Letting go of your loved one
  • Liberation from sickness and pain
  • Illustrating a “free spirit” personality
  • Allowing a soul to fly away
  • Joining the circle of life
  • Connecting with a place

When you choose the right memorial garden, scattering the ashes feels natural and right. The release creates a sense of peace and a beautiful moment of honor.

What is a Memorial Garden Cemetery?

Simply put, a memorial garden is a place where you can lay your loved one’s remains to rest. These curated gardens feature well-tended trees, flowers, and greenery to inspire remembrance and encourage reflection. 

Most of the time, memorial gardens are less formal than traditional burial grounds. They may be centered around specially-landscaped areas, like ash scattering gardens or memorial trees. Typically, these settings provide a marker as part of the scattering services. If you research memorial gardens, you’ll find that each location has unique views and memorials to remember your loved one.

Types of Memorial Gardens

Sometimes, this is a traditional cemetery with modern gardening elements. Many funeral homes have moved away from using the word cemetery and refer to burial grounds as a memorial garden. In keeping with the name, they incorporate lovely landscape elements. These locations may offer a mix of traditional burial plots, scattering areas, or columbariums. 

In other cases, memorial gardens are private locations with unique memorial areas like scattering gardens, memorial trees, or even benches. Similar to cemeteries, these landscapes are curated to memorialize those who were laid to rest. 

Ideas to Honor your Loved One

With cremated remains, you don’t have to make up your mind about scattering at the time of the loss. In fact, many people hold onto the ashes for a while as they grieve. Then, when they feel ready, they inter the ashes somewhere they can visit and remember.

At Rest Ashured, we’ve created a garden with several ways to memorialize loved ones. 

Rock Scatter Garden

Our Scattering Garden

Our scattering garden is a landscaped area with river rocks. The surrounding property has been landscaped to enhance the breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and portions of the James River. 

We scatter ashes over this special area and place a memorial stone to mark the location. 

Memorial garden with planted trees

Memorial Tree Dedication

For our Memorial Trees we honor loved ones throughout the planning process. We will respectfully scatter the ashes with the roots. Then we place an engraved and personalized memorial stone beneath it. 

Scatter Ashes Together

Finally, we allow people to scatter pairs of ashes together. For example, a husband and wife’s ashes can be sent together to be scattered at the same time. We offer this service for both the scatter garden and the memorial trees. 

Scattering Cremation Ashes with Rest Ashured 

When you’re finished with your goodbyes, Rest Ashured provides a permanent and serene resting place for your loved one’s remains. The process is simple, and we’re here to help you. 

Select a Scattering Service

Our cremation scattering areas create peaceful, meaningful places for you to put your loved one’s ashes to rest. Our property contains a mountaintop scatter garden, and memorial trees.  You can choose either of these services through our website.

Whichever you choose, you can be confident that we have properly registered our property for cremation ash scattering. We have also set up long-term arrangements to ensure the sanctity of the location.

Sending Your Ashes

When you send the ashes, we help you through the process. We’ll send you a package with all the necessary packing materials. This includes the appropriate boxes, labels, tape, and simple shipping instructions. 

Then, you ship the package to us through your local post office. (We also offer personal pickup for certain areas.)

Visiting Your Memorial

Our property is closed to visitors to protect the naturally lovely location. However, we hold two Days of Celebration each year. You’ll be notified by email prior to the event. 

On these days, we encourage friends and family members to visit, remember, and reflect. You can plan to visit your loved one’s marker in the memorial garden cemetery.

Get in Touch with Us

We are honored by each scattering, and we strive to help people say goodbye with dignity and respect. If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

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The Cost of Cremation and Other End-of-Life Planning Tips

Two ladies outside on bench

Just like a traditional funeral, there are many options when planning a cremation funeral. Sometimes, people choose a simple cremation and scattering — without much ceremony. Others may plan a memorial service or even a reception. Throughout the process, you’ll be asked to make decisions that affect the cost of cremation. 

Table of Contents

The Cost of Cremation
Complete Cremation Service
Cremation with Reception
Cremation with No Service
Scatter Cremation Ashes with Rest Ashured

As you’re planning, the options may feel overwhelming. A few key decisions will help guide you to create a plan that works best for your family. 

Important Questions to Ask

What’s the plan for the ashes?

If you don’t own cemetery property, or already have a planned location for scattering, many people struggle to decide what to do with their ashes. In fact, funeral directors explain that when ashes go home without a plan, they “almost never find another home.” They end up stored in a closet or displayed on a shelf. 

The ashes become something that weighs on the family. You’ll always mean to “do something” with them but, forget to make time for it. 

That’s why we recommend planning for the ashes right away. Whether you’re burying them, keeping them, or scattering them, you will enjoy the relief of knowing they have been respectfully put to rest.

Do you need an urn?

The container from the crematorium is meant to be temporary and utilitarian. If you’re keeping the ashes, you’ll need an urn for storage. Also, people often like to display the ashes in an appealing container if they choose to host a memorial service. 

If you are simply collecting the ashes from a direct cremation and scattering them immediately, you won’t need to transfer them to an urn.

What are you planning for the services?

If you choose cremation, you have several options for services. Some people choose to display the embalmed body for visitation and the funeral, similar to a traditional funeral. After those ceremonies, the body is cremated. Then, the family can bury, scatter, or store the ashes. 

Others choose to cremate the body then hold a memorial service. They often display the ashes in an urn with a portrait of the deceased.

A final option is to skip traditional funeral services entirely. In these cases, you simply need to plan for the storage or interment of the cremated remains after you get them from the crematorium.

Cremation and End-of-Life Planning

When you choose cremation, the related services affect the cost. Some people choose to host a traditional viewing and funeral service (similar to a burial). Others go straight from the crematorium to scattering. We’ve collected some information to help you understand the associated costs. 

The Cost of Cremation

When you work with a funeral home, their services incur various costs. While these are slightly different between groups, this information will help you plan.

Complete Cremation Service – About $7,800

Some people select a complete cremation service with a time for visitation, a funeral service, and display in a casket. 

For this option, the body will be prepared for a visitation time (like a funeral home or church). The body will need to be embalmed, and placed in a casket. Most of the time, you don’t have to buy the casket. It’s a ceremonial casket — sometimes called a rental casket. The funeral homes switch out the interior between ceremonies.

Cremation follows this visitation or even the funeral. Then, the ashes will be delivered to you for a graveside service or an ash scattering ceremony.

Prices vary by funeral service provider but some funeral homes estimate about $7,800 for these services

Cremation with Reception – About $5,700

Many people choose to host a cremation with a memorial service. In this situation, the cremation takes place first. Then, the ashes are put out in the funeral home for the visitation and for the memorial service.

Because this includes a time for viewing, you incur the same embalming costs and body prep (about $150 – $1,000) as a regular funeral. You’ll also pay for arrangements, coordination, permits, and paperwork (about $1,700 – $5,000). Flower arrangements ($70 – $350), printed programs, and other traditional elements add additional fees.   

After the memorial service, the ashes are given to the family. You can store them, scatter them, or bury them. 

For that level of service, some memorial service providers estimate about $5,700

Cremation with No Service – About $3,500

Some people choose just to cremate their loved one’s remains. They have no memorial services. However, the funeral home will probably provide an obituary and help facilitate the decision-making process. Some funeral homes estimate this cost at about $3,500.

Prices for cremations with no service vary but, Legacy.com estimates that it’s between $1000 – $3,500.

The Cremation Institute even maintains a list with the average cost of cremation for major U.S. cities. 

1. New York City, NY$550 – $10,200
2. Washington, DC$700 – $7,600
3. Houston, TX$675 – $6,800
4. Dallas, TX$850 – $6,300
5. Indianapolis, IN$900 – $6,100
6. Chicago, IL$895 – $4,600
7. Charlotte, NC$875 – $4,400
8. Nashville, TN$1,295 – $4,400
9. Virginia Beach, VA$900 -$4,300
10. Providence, RI$1,400 – $4,100
Source: https://www.legacy.com/advice/how-much-does-cremation-cost/

Additionally, some families choose direct cremation which is essentially processing the remains and delivering them to the family. These costs include things like the simple wood or cardboard casket that the body rests in during cremation. 

If you decide on a direct cremation, you can arrange ash scattering at a later date. This is sometimes how people find our scattering services at Rest Ashured. 

We also find many people choose us as a scattering site after a memorial service, celebration of life, or a cremation funeral. It’s something that they decide to do, whenever they’re ready to say goodbye.

Scattering Cremation Ashes with Rest Ashured 

When you’re finished with your goodbyes, Rest Ashured offers several locations where you can scatter your loved one’s remains. The process is simple and we’re here to help you. 

Select a Scattering Service

Our cremation scattering locations offer peaceful, meaningful areas for you to put your loved one’s ashes to rest. Our locations include burial at sea, a mountaintop scatter garden, and a memorial tree garden

For the scatter garden and memorial trees, we properly registered our property for cremation ash scattering and have long-term arrangements to ensure the sanctity of the location. For the burial at sea scattering services, our boat captains know the places where they can legally scatter ashes and how to file the required paperwork.

Sending Your Ashes

We help you through the process when you send the ashes. We’ll send you a package with all the necessary packing materials. This kit has the appropriate boxes, labels, tape, and simple shipping instructions. 

Then, you ship the package to us. You can ship it through your local post office. (We also offer personal pickup for certain areas.)

Visiting Your Memorial

Most of the year, our property is closed to visitors to protect the beautiful, serene location. Instead, we hold two Days of Celebration each year. You’ll be notified by email prior to the event. Then, you can plan to visit your loved one’s marker. 

On these days, we encourage friends and family members to visit, remember, and reflect.

Get in Touch with Us

Our ash scattering services are a labor of love. We are honored by each scattering and help people say goodbye with dignity and respect. If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

How to Calculate Cremation Cost
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7 Meditations for Visiting a Memorial Stone

Comforting Hands

A memorial stone creates a beautiful marker for non-traditional memorials like ash scatterings. They’re often complementary to the location — with only a simple message to mark the individual’s scattering site. Visiting these stones becomes a blessing for the family and friends of the person who has passed. In fact, we often see this when people visit our garden on our days of celebration. Our scattering garden contains many of these markers, which help people find the right spot in the scatter garden, or to identify their loved one’s memory tree. 

Table of Contents

What is a Memorial Stone?
Why do you visit a Memorial Stone?
What to do when you visit a Memorial Stone?
Meditations for Visiting Memorial Stones

Once our guests locate the personalized memorial stones, they spend some time at that special spot. Most people use that visit to meditate on the life and memories of their loved one; it’s a truly personal and beautiful moment. If you’re considering ash scattering as an option for your loved one, or your own end-of-life planning, the following information can help you during your future visits.

What is a Memorial Stone?

A memorial stone is a simple marker placed at an ash-scattering location. It helps family and friends find the scattering location. At our property, we place memorial stones in our scatter garden or at the base of a memorial tree — depending on the scattering option chosen.

Why do you visit a Memorial Stone?

Visiting a memorial stone is similar to going to a gravesite. It’s a chance to connect with the memory of a loved one and honor their life. Our property is private to ensure the preservation of its natural beauty. However, twice a year we invite visitors to come and see their loved one’s memorial stones.

What to do when you visit a Memorial Stone?

Sometimes, people aren’t sure what to do when they visit a memorial stone. We encourage our guests to take as long as they need at the maker. During this time, people choose their own way to remember and reflect.

  • Say a Prayer: Saying a prayer at a loved one’s scattering site can help you connect your grief to your faith. It can be an expression of hope, pain, or thankfulness for the time you had together.
  • Read a Poem or Verse: Before you visit, you can copy a quote that you want to read at your loved one’s memorial stone. Many people choose a familiar poem or favorite bible verse.
  • Quietly Reflect: Others choose to simply reflect quietly on their loved one’s legacy. In a world with constant noise and distractions, our peaceful mountain top offers a break from busy life.

7 Meditations for Visiting Memorial Stones

We’ve compiled some of our favorite verses to inspire your meditations when you visit your loved one’s scattering site. 

John 11:25-26

Slightly cloudy sky
whoever lives by believing in me will never die – from John 11:25-26

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’”

As you reflect on this passage, reflect on the promise of eternal life. 

Revelation 21:4

Two hands holding
He will wip every tear from their eyes – from Revelation 21:4

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Although you may be grieving now, one day the tears will be replaced with joy. 

Romans 14:8

Blue Sy and Bare Cross
whether we live of die, we belond to the Lord. from Romans 14:8

“If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

For believers, we can rest in the knowledge that we belong to the Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

Blue sky with one cloud and bare cross on the right
onthing can separate us from God’s love! from Romans 8:38-39

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

When you visit your loved one’s memorial stone, this passage will remind you that the love of God is always with us.

Psalm 116:15

Amber, Blue Sky with some darker clouds
Precious in the sigh ofthe Lod is the death of is faithful servant – from Psalm 116:15

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.”

Find comfort in knowing that the Lord cares about your loved one’s death as much as you do.

John 3:16

Pink sky with light clouds
whoever beleive in him shall not perish but have eternal life – from John 3:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Remember that God sacrificed so that we could all be reunited in heaven someday. 

1 Corinthians 15:53-55

Stary Sky with text Death has been swallowed up in victory - from 1 Corinthians 15:53
Death has been swallowed up in victory – from 1 Corinthians 15:53

“For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true:
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?”

For those who believe in Christ, death is just a passage from life into new life.

Mark Your Loved One’s Final Resting Place

If you’re considering ash scattering as a final goodbye for your loved one, please get in touch with us. We can help you arrange the service and answer your questions. While we can’t ease the burden of your loss, we can provide a beautiful way to say goodbye. 

Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

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Honoring Cremation Ashes Ideas

Holding Hands

Choosing how to put our loved one’s ashes to rest can feel overwhelming. There are many ideas for honoring cremation ashes — from creating jewelry to keeping them in an urn. Many people decide to pick a place to scatter ashes because it creates a place to visit in the future. 

Table of Contents

Scatter Atop a Mountain Garden
Plant a Memorial Tree 
Scatter Ashes at Sea 

Years ago, we were presented with this same situation. We wanted to honor our loved one through scattering. Yet we also wanted a place where we could visit and reflect. It needed to be somewhere special, beautiful, and most importantly, someplace that would be preserved over time. 

Cremation Ashes Ideas

After a memorial service, you can wait any length of time before deciding to scatter your loved one’s ashes. Many people even keep ashes in their homes for years while they mourn. Whenever you’re ready, scattering the ashes allows you a final moment of closure and a place to visit for reflection. We recommend choosing a scattering option that aligns best with the memories you have with your loved one.

Scatter Atop a Mountain Garden

Many people like the idea of scattering their loved one’s remains in a place they can visit from time to time. Ideally, it’s someplace registered for that purpose — and will be preserved over time. Scatter gardens are a wonderful option because they are filled with beauty and life. 

At Rest Ashured, we’ve actually created such a place in the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

Our scatter garden is a beautiful site with breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, and carefully-kept memorials. If you choose this service, you send the ashes to us through the mail. Then, we reverently scatter them on our mountaintop garden. Finally, we place an engraved memorial stone at the site and send a certificate of release. 

Although we keep the property closed to preserve the landscape, we open it twice a year for our days of celebration. During these days, we invite people to come and visit their loved one’s scattering sites. Visitors find it’s a meaningful time to pause, remember, and reflect.

Plant a Memorial Tree

Many people prefer the symbolism of planting a tree in memory of a loved one. Trees represent hope because of the way they grow from a small sapling into a beautiful tree. As they say, “Every gardener is an optimist.” 

As a resting place, a memorial tree celebrates a life well-lived by thriving in nature. Each year, as the tree grows taller, the memorial grows too. The tall trunk and long branches will point heavenward as a reminder of your loved one’s new home. 

We also provide this tree memorial service on our property. Similar to the scattering garden, we receive your loved one’s ashes through the mail. Then, we prepare a site for a new tree — scattering the ashes during the planting process. After planting, we place a stone at the base of the tree and send a certificate of release. 

The memorial trees are also available for visitation during the days of celebration. Our visitors enjoy seeing the tree grow from year to year.

Scatter Ashes at Sea

The ocean holds a special meaning for many people. Many people scatter ashes in the sea when the person has served in the Navy, Coast Guard, or Marines. Others choose it as a final resting place for fishermen. Many families like to choose a seaside close to a favorite vacation spot — where they spent quality time with their loved one. 

Burial at sea is legal as long as you abide by the EPA guidelines. This means you’ll need to be at least 3 nautical miles offshore and file appropriate paperwork. We recommend choosing a scattering service that is familiar with these guidelines and operates in compliance with the regulations. Then you are free to focus on your family and friends during the scattering ceremony. 

At Rest Ashured, we offer two types of burial at sea: attended and unattended. Attended ceremonies allow the family and friends to journey with the remains on a boat to the scattering location. Unattended ceremonies take place without the family or friends present.

During these ceremonies, the boat captain navigates to the appropriate location for scattering. At that spot, we respectfully scatter the remains. Afterward, the boat captain ensures that the proper paperwork is filed with the EPA. 

Honor Cremation Ashes with Rest Ashured

Our experiences with scattering ashes have shown us how much people need a personal way to say goodbye. Often, we hear that our clients plan their own ceremony, complete with readings and music to honor the life of their loved ones. They may hold it in a religious building, an informal venue, or even in a location that their loved one adored. After their special ceremony, they appreciate our simple and respectful process — where we scatter cremation ashes in our scattering garden in an unattended ceremony. From the actual memorial ceremony to the final goodbye when they send us their loved one’s ashes, our clients appreciate the personal touch offered by a memory garden.

Our advice? Select whatever works best for you from these cremation ashes ideas.

Get in Touch with Us

Our ash scattering services are a labor of love. We are honored by each scattering and help people say goodbye with dignity and respect. If you have any questions about our services, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

Loss & Grief - Ideas for honoring cremation ashes
Loss & Grief – Ideas for honoring cremation ashes
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What to Do with Cremated Remains After A Loved One Has Passed

People Hugging

When a loved one passes away, events move quickly. You have a lot of decisions to make and it can feel overwhelming. If you have a will to reference, that makes it easier. If not, you have several critical decisions to make about how to put your loved one to rest. 

One comfort of cremation is that you can wait to decide what to do with your loved one’s remains. Then, when you’re ready, you can choose how to say goodbye.

Table of Contents

Is it Bad to Keep Cremated Ashes at Home?
Tips for Transferring Ashes to an Urn
How to Put Human Ashes to Rest?
Tips for Scattering Cremated Remains

Many people have questions about how to properly care for ashes after receiving them from the crematorium. Thankfully, you can move on your own timeline as you process the grief and celebrate the life of your loved one. In this article, we explain how to transfer ashes, how to properly store ashes, and how to scatter them when you’re ready. 

Is it bad to keep cremated ashes at home?

Many people wonder, “Is it bad to keep cremated ashes at home?” At the end of the day, it’s a personal choice. There are no U.S. laws prohibiting storage of human ashes in your home. Some people worry about religious consequences, or even paranormal activity when they choose to keep an urn with ashes in their house. In essence, the decision is rooted in your own beliefs about the afterlife and the constraints of your spiritual practices. 

When you receive ashes from a crematorium, they usually give them to you in a plastic bag. This is often placed inside a temporary container made of card stock or a similar temporary material. If you want to keep the ashes at home for a period of time, an urn gives you a reliable vessel to store and transport the remains

Tips for Transferring Ashes to an Urn

  1. Ensure the container is big enough before you transfer. Most adult’s ashes weigh between 4 to 8 lbs.
  2. You may need someone to help you with the transfer. They can hold the container to keep it steady. 
  3. Place your container on a flat, stable surface. Choose a surface you can easily wipe clean. 
  4. When you’re ready, cut a small hole in the corner of the bag. This will help you pour them softly into the new container. 
  5. If your container is narrow, you may need a funnel to facilitate the process.
  6. At the end, there may be larger elements to add. Carefully cut open the bag to make this easier to transfer. 

After you’re done, make sure the container is properly sealed. This helps prevent any spilling and creates a stable environment inside the container. 

Displays and Memorials

Once you have transferred the ashes, you can choose to display them or put them away. Common display areas include a fireplace mantle, a shelf or bookcase, or a prominent table in your living area. If you prefer to store them discreetly, a cupboard or wardrobe provides a safe area. Sometimes, people pick a spot in the home where the loved one used to spend time — such as a bedroom or office.

Many people choose to decorate the area with mementos, photographs and messages to the deceased. It can become a personal space for reflecting on the life of the person who has passed.

Of course, you should always consider the wishes of the deceased as expressed in their will. If they haven’t expressed their wishes, it can be harder to decide what to do. Many people keep ashes for a period of time after cremation — about one in five people choose to store ashes in their home

For those who choose to keep them, it’s often parents (about 54%). When asked why in a survey, many people (about 30%) explained they were not sure what their options would be to scatter or memorialize remains. 

Some people also find that they feel like their loved one is nearby during the mourning process when they keep the remains in their home. Then, when they’re ready, they look for an appropriate place to release the ashes and say a final goodbye. 

How to put human ashes to rest?

One key benefit of choosing to scatter cremated remains in a memorial? It creates a place for future generations to visit. In fact, that’s often the appeal of putting ashes to rest in a memorial or scattering garden. It takes the burden of keeping the ashes off of an individual and places them in a location where any loved one can visit.

Tips for Scattering Cremated Remains

If you choose to scatter your loved one’s remains, you follow the laws for scattering ashes. These are predominantly enforced and managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In general, you cannot scatter in public or private areas without permission. Unless it is your own property, you must check the location beforehand to ensure you’re complying with local laws. 

One of the benefits of choosing a private scattering garden is that it has been prepared and registered for that purpose. So, you know that your loved one’s memorial will be preserved through time (unlike a public park or a residential area). 

After you choose a scattering location and get the appropriate permission, you should plan for the following:

  1. Decide if the scattering will be attended or unattended. 
  2. If you choose to attend the scattering, find out if you can say something during the memorial. Often, people like to recite a prayer, poem or Bible verse.
  3. If you choose to send your ashes for scattering, find out what the process is for verifying the scattering. 
  4. Plan for the fees. Most memorial sites have some fees for the scattering services and reserving the space. 
  5. After the scattering, you’ll need to mark the location. Memorial stones and memorial trees are popular choices.
  6. Find out if you can visit at a later date. Many people find comfort in this ritual.

If you have more questions about how to plan an Ash Scattering Ceremony, download this guide: https://restashured.com/comprehensive-guide-to-ash-scattering-ceremonies/

Send Cremated Remains to Rest Ashured

At Rest Ashured, we’re here to help you say goodbye. Our process follows five simple steps. 

First, you start by picking a scattering service. We offer a scattering garden, memory tree dedication and burials at sea. You can see all your options on our Services Page.

Next, we’ll send you a package. This contains all you need to send us ashes for scattering including boxes, labels and tape. It also contains simple instructions for how to prepare and post your package.

Then, you can ship the package to us using your local post office or favorite mail service. 

Once we receive your package, we scatter your loved one’s ashes as you specified. After the scattering, we send you a certificate of release. This marks the date and exact location of your scattering.

Ask Us Your Questions

Finally, you can rest assured knowing your loved one has been memorialized with the utmost care and dignity. 
We can’t remove the sadness of your loss, but we can remove the complications of laying a loved one to rest. We’ve tried to think of everything to relieve you of worries, and strive to make our process as simple as possible. If this sounds like something you would like to do, please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

Loss & Grief - What to do with cremated remains?
Loss & Grieg – What to do with cremated remains?
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How to Lay Someone to Rest in a Cremation Garden

Loved Ones with Grey Hair

While cremation has been around for thousands of years, modern cremation memorials are relatively new. Often, people don’t know how to lay someone to rest in a cremation garden. At Rest Ashured, we created a special space just for this type of event. 

In our garden, we scatter the ashes that people send to us with reverence and dignity. 

It’s a labor of love for us. We journey to our mountaintop property on beautiful days with your loved one’s ashes. From there, you can see the glory of nature with the rolling Blue Ridge mountains and rushing James River.

We gently release ashes over our garden. Then, we mark the location with a stone containing the individual’s name and life dates.

Table of Contents

Rest Ashured’s Cremation Garden
Selecting a Scattering Site
Sending Your Ashes
How do you scatter the ashes? How do I pick the date?
What do you say when you scatter ashes?
Do I get pictures of the ash scattering process?
What are the fees involved?
Visiting Your Loved One’s Memorial
Can we be present at the scattering?
Can I visit the memorial?
Prayers to Read at a Cremation Memorial
Poems to Read for an Ash Scattering Memorial
Bible Verses to Read When Visiting a Memorial

Most people have a lot of questions about the process and we’re happy to answer them.

Laying Someone to Rest in a Cremation Garden

When you have cremation ashes after a memorial service, you can wait any length of time before deciding to scatter them. Some people even keep them for years while they grieve. Once you’re ready, a scatter garden creates a wonderful place to release the ashes and say goodbye.

Rest Ashured’s Cremation Garden

Our garden creates a unique resting place that is both majestic and tranquil. It’s a private property in the Blue Ridge Mountains with views of the James River. On our property, we have a scatter garden where we scatter cremation ashes. The area is protected and contains markers with the name of each person scattered there. 

We were inspired to create this scatter garden by our own family’s experience with loss and grief. Over time, many people have laid the ashes of family and friends to rest in this garden memorial.

Selecting a Scattering Site  

If your loved one passed away without specifying a scattering site, a cremation garden provides a peaceful and meaningful scatter location. We properly registered our property for cremation ash scattering and have long-term plans in place to ensure the sanctity of the location. These are important points to note when you’re selecting a scattering site. It’s illegal to scatter human ash in most public places. Additionally, many private spaces won’t remain intact over time if they aren’t set aside as a memorial site.


Sending Your Ashes  

For those who choose to send their ashes to us, we help you through the process. First, we ask you to pick a scattering service. On our mountaintop, you can either choose to scatter the ashes over the garden or plant them with a memorial tree. 

Then, we’ll send you a package with all the necessary packing materials. It has the appropriate boxes, labels, tape, and simple shipping instructions. 

Then, you ship the package to us. You can drop it off at the local post office. (We also offer personal pickup for certain areas.)

How do you scatter the ashes? How do I pick the date?

Once we receive your package, we plan a time to scatter the ashes. Most of the time, we choose a day with mild weather. If you have selected a tree, there are seasonal considerations to ensure the tree takes root. 

Sometimes, people request scattering on a certain date. We can discuss that detail over the phone after you place your order.

What do you say when you scatter ashes?

In general, we send up a silent, respectful prayer as we release the ashes. Sometimes, people request a small statement, verse, or poem. If you have a special request, you can discuss this with us as we’re reviewing your order.

Can we be present at the scattering?

In general, our ash scatterings are unattended. This helps us keep the property pristine and undisturbed. However, we can discuss other options if you have a special request.

Do I get pictures of the ash scattering process?

Everyone who sends us ashes gets a certificate of release marking the date and exact location of the scattering. We also can send a picture of the marker or the memorial tree upon request.

What are the fees involved?

Our pricing varies depending on the service. A memorial stone in our scatter garden costs $275. A memory tree costs $425. We also offer options for scattering couples’ ashes and other special requests. You can see all of these by reviewing our services.

Visiting Your Loved One’s Memorial  

Although the ash scattering ceremony is unattended, we do open up our property twice a year to visitors. We call this our Day of Celebration.

Can I visit the memorial?

We hold one Day of Celebration during the spring and the fall. You’ll be notified by email prior to the event so you can plan to visit your loved one’s marker. 

On these days, we encourage friends and family members to visit, remember and reflect.

Prayers to Read at a Cremation Memorial

We’ve collected the following prayers to inspire your words when you visit your loved one’s scattering site.

A Funeral Prayer by Gregory Coles (Source)

And I pray that the worked you have accomplished in this remarkable life will grow deeper, wider, and stronger in the days to come, uninhabited by a we - RestAshured.comk opponent like death. A Funeral prayer by Gregory Coles

I cry for those of us left behind, for the lonely ones with hollows in our hearts. I ask You to comfort us, give peace, restore hope, and lavish us with love, family, and belonging. In the depths of loss, meet us with Yourself.

I cry for the legacy this loved one leaves, for the ways the world has been made different by their presence, for the memories that become both more beautiful and more painful on this side of death. And I pray that the work You have accomplished in this remarkable life will grow deeper, wider, and stronger in the days to come, uninhibited by a weak opponent like death. 

A Prayer of Comfort from Liturgy and Agenda (1921), p. 134 (Source

Comfort the survivors with your everlasting comfort and cheer them with the sweet hope of a blessed reunion in heaven. A Prayer of Comfort 1921  - RestAshured.com

O Lord God, Lord of life and death,
you turn man to dust and say,
“Return, O children of men,”
we give you thanks for all the mercies
which during his life you bestowed
on this our beloved brother, now fallen asleep.
Especially do we praise you
for having brought him to the knowledge
of your dear Son Jesus Christ.
Comfort the survivors
with your everlasting comfort,
and cheer them with the sweet hope
of a blessed reunion in heaven.
Grant to the lifeless body
rest in the bosom of the earth,
and hereafter, together with us all,
a joyful resurrection to life everlasting.
Teach us all to number our days
that we may apply our hearts to wisdom,
and finally be saved;
through Jesus Christ, your beloved Son,
our Lord and Savior. Amen.

A Prayer for Friends by Thomas à Kempis (Source)

Almighty and eternal God, have mercy on your servants our friends. A Prayer for Friends by Thomas A Kempis - RestAshured.com

Almighty and eternal God,
have mercy on your servants, our friends.
Keep them continually under your protection,
and direct them according to your gracious favor
in the way of eternal salvation.
May they desire whatever pleases you,
and with all their strength strive to do it.
As they trust in your mercy, O Lord,
graciously assist them with your heavenly help,
that they may always diligently serve you,
and be separated from you by no temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Poems to Read for an Ash Scattering Memorial

The following poems provide comfort and hope during the grieving process.

There Is No Night Without a Dawning by Helen Steiner Rice (Source)

There is no night without a dawning. No winter without a spring and beyond the dark horizon our hearts will once more sing for those who leave use for a while have only gone away out of a restless are worn world into a brighter day. There is No Night Without a Dawning by Helen Steiner Rice - RestAshured.com

There is no night without a dawning
No winter without a spring
And beyond the dark horizon
Our hearts will once more sing…
For those who leave us for a while
Have only gone away
Out of a restless, care worn world
Into a brighter day.

She Is Gone by David Harkins (Source)

you can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday, or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. She Gone by David Harkins

You can shed tears that she is gone,
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back,
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her,
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday,
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her only that she is gone,
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind,
be empty and turn your back.
Or you can do what she’d want:
smile, open your eyes, love and go on.”

Turn Again to Life by Mary Lee Hall (Source)

For my sake - turn again to life and smile. Turn Again to Life by Mary Lee Hail - RestAshured.com

If I should die and leave you here a while,
be not like others sore undone, who keep
long vigils by the silent dust, and weep.
For my sake – turn again to life and smile,
nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine
and I, perchance may therein comfort you.

Bible Verses to Read When Visiting a Memorial

We appreciate the hope found in the following Bible verses.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NIV)

The spirit return to God who gave it. Ecclesates 12:7 (NIV) - RestAshured.com

“And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.” 

Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

My heart is broken, my mind exhausted I cry out to you and hardly know what to ask, All I can do is tell you how I feel and ask you to keep track of all my sorrows, collect all my tears in your bottle, and record each on in your book as I poor them out to you. Psalm 56:9 (NIV) - RestAshured.com

“My heart is broken, my mind exhausted. I cry out to you and hardly know what to ask. All I can do is tell you how I feel and ask you to keep track of all my sorrows, collect all my tears in your bottle, and record each one in your book as I pour them out to you.” 

Exodus 22:27 (ESV)

And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate. Exodus 22:37 (NIV) - RestAshured.com

“And if he cries to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.” 

Psalm 31:9 (NIV)

Be merciful to me Lord, for I am in distress: my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief. Psalm 31:9 (NIV) - RestAshured.com

“Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.” 

Ask About Our Scatter Garden in Virginia

We provide reverent ash scattering options atop our beautiful mountain property in Virginia. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the property surrounding our garden remains very much in its natural state. We’ve cleared the landscape only enough to enhance the breathtaking views and maintain the scattering area. 

If you have questions about laying ashes to rest in our garden, we can help. Please get in touch with us. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

Loss & Grieving. How to Lay Somone to Rest in a Creation Garden - RestAshured.com
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Five Ways Memorial Gardens Create a Peaceful Resting Place

Image of a bird visiting a memory garden

They say time heals. After a loved one has passed away, the length of mourning varies from person to person. People find comfort in many different moments and rituals from a formal funeral to a celebratory memorial service. If your loved one chose cremation, the timeline can move more slowly than traditional burial or interment. Many people choose to keep the ashes in an urn for a period of time. Then, you can release them whenever you’re ready. In these situations, memorial gardens create the ideal resting place because of their quiet, natural beauty.

“All is well.
Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost.
One brief moment and all will be as it was before.
How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!”

-Harry Scott-Holland, Death is Nothing at All (SOURCE)

Choosing a spot for the release is highly personal. If your loved one did not specify where they’d like to be scattered, or if they chose a place where scattering is not permitted, we suggest a memory garden as a peaceful resting place.

Table of Contents


Appreciate Natural Views
Use Nature’s Soundtrack
Attract Wildlife
Create Moments of Reflection
Offer Relief from Daily Commotion

Most memory gardens are private properties that have been registered for ash scattering. They are created with the long-term in mind. They’re set far away from busy, metropolitan areas or properties slated for development. 

These scattering gardens provide subtle landscaping. The changes only enhance the beauty of the surroundings and provide room for scattering location markers. 

Many of these ash scattering locations even allow you to visit semi-annually. This creates a beautiful tradition to honor the life of the person scattered in the garden. It allows you to grieve on your own timeline. 

You can scatter the ashes whenever you’re ready. Then, visit over the years to celebrate their life.

Memorial Gardens Create a Peaceful Resting Place

If you’re choosing between a traditional cemetery and a memory garden, you may enjoy the peaceful, natural setting of a cremation scattering garden.

1. Memory Gardens Appreciate Natural Views

Unlike traditional cemeteries or mausoleums, garden memorials for cremated ashes coexist within their natural settings. They don’t alter the natural views with large monuments, buildings, or other constructions. Instead, the best memory gardens create just enough structure to memorialize the area without destroying the natural beauty of the garden memorial.

At our Scatter Garden in the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’ve cleared only enough to enhance the breathtaking views. From our garden, you can see portions of the James River with a small waterfall. Every hour of the day brings a new phase of the sun. In the morning, the sunrise peeks out from behind clouds that nestle just across the river. Throughout the day, the rays shine through leaves and branches. In the evening, the colorful sunset splashes across the horizon until it sets behind the mountains. 

2. Memory Gardens Use Nature’s Soundtrack

In stark contrast to a mournful funeral dirge, or the clamor of cars on busy roads, memory gardens offer the twittering of birds. Soft, soothing sounds of rustling leaves will echo around these natural settings. Can you imagine visiting your loved one’s memorial and listening to the happy chatter of wildlife?

At Rest Ashured, we use native plants and trees to encourage the local wildlife to make their homes around our scatter garden. As a result, birds, squirrels, and insects provide a pleasant soundtrack to peaceful surroundings. When the breeze is still, you can even hear the soft rush of the river in the distance.

3. Memory Gardens Attract Joyful Wildlife

As we mentioned above, memory gardens encourage animals, birds, and insects to make their home around the area. This differs from cemeteries that often discourage wildlife from visiting the property. 

When you open up the landscape to this natural ecosystem, it comes alive with the joy of new life. You may see a bird’s nest full of eggs in the springtime or spot bees buzzing around the nearby flowers. We encourage these happy interactions because they add to the vibrant memorial garden cemetery.

4. Memory Gardens Create Moments of Reflection

When you visit a memory garden, the quiet landscape beckons. It’s ideal for moments of reflection — especially during occasions like our Days of Celebration. When family members and friends visit our location, they see the marker for where their loved one was scattered.

This creates a serene moment — not only to celebrate the person’s life but also, to soak in the comforting, natural surroundings.

When you are saying goodbye, these moments of reflection become a vital part of healing. You can enjoy the quiet and soak in nature while viewing your loved one’s marker.

5. Memory Gardens Offer Relief from Daily Commotion

While there is some cell phone service as our private, remote location — it’s mostly distraction-free. We encourage visitors to put their phones aside for our twice-annual days of celebration and take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Visitors won’t hear the hum of traffic or the bleep of devices.

Buzzing cell phones are replaced by buzzing bees. Chattering squirrels drown out the memory of traffic jams. And rushing winds overwhelm the whirr of white noise.

These moments of relief become an important part of the grieving and eventual healing process. A memory garden creates the chance to break out from daily life. You can visit your loved one’s resting place without distraction.

Send Your Loved One to Rest in a Memory Garden

Memory gardens remain the ideal resting spot for anyone looking for a peaceful, remote place to put cremation ashes to rest. They’re usually solitary and natural — perfect for nature lovers. 

If you have questions about whether a scatter garden is right for you, please get in touch with us. We’re here to make the process as smooth as possible. Call 434-534-4007 or email us at info@restashured.com.

Five ways memory gardens create a restful resting place