Q: What should I consider before scattering cremains?

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Find a funeral home like Springfield, where you can trust the people, where you can feel comfortable working with people who will help you celebrate your loved one in a way that will honour and bless them and the family.

- Ramona Sousa

Transcript

When considering the scattering of ashes, you need to realize that you either are dealing with public property, public lands or you are dealing with private lands.

You are not allowed to mark the place unless it’s a cemetery. They don’t want people coming across or buying a piece of land that later on has a headstone there saying “here lies the remains of”. That can really spook some people out.

Scattering at your own home, in the garden, front or back yard, under the cherry tree or apple tree, you know, that’s something you certainly are free to do. I encourage people to think very long and hard about where should they scatter. Sometimes the sentiment around the place where you feel they should go, later on, you wish you hadn’t. I’ll give an example.

I had a family, their mother was an amazing gardener. She actually even won the Communities in Bloom award before. She was in the lower North End – this is years ago – but they took her ashes and scattered them in a garden. ‘Cause neighbours and everyone knew it was a beautiful place.

A few years later her husband passed away, and I look up the old arrangements and I know what they’ve done. So making the funeral arrangements during my consultation, I bring up, you know, that we have the cremation and return the ashes so they could scatter. The family surprised me. They said, “Well, can we actually bury dad at the cemetery? Is it OK? Are we allowed to put a marker down that has moms name at the same time?”

I said, “Yes, well why? What’s changed?”

And it’s an age old story. Because the house was nice, it was kept up well. But after her passing he became ill, he had to go to a care home, the house eventually had to be sold and – very sadly – today, now that it’s sold, it’s a parking lot. It’s no longer what it was.

Testimonials

They took care of me like family.

Judith Szabo

Everything was so organized and pertinent to what we needed. Everyone we met was kind, courteous and very helpful during our emotional and challenging time. Thank you so much.

Heather Mayne

They were so prompt on answering any questions and changing things. They were prepared and respected any religious decisions. The process was so seamless and made easy in such a high stress situation.

Tanya Kohar

In the past 2 years Springfield has helped us through the death of my Mother and my Father. Their response and help allowed us to focus on the remaining family rather than worrying about details of the funeral and all the notifications that are required upon a death.

Terry Eldridge

The atmosphere has been nothing but professional during times of grief.  After the passing of my mother, the staff coached me on the next steps and looked after filling in all the government forms that I needed to sign, which took a huge burden off my mind at the time.

Donald McClure

Everyone was so helpful and kind.  There was no pressure.  They provided exactly what we needed.

Diane Greenwood

From the time I called to the completion of all the services, I received compassionate, attentive and professional care.  There was a sense of caring from each staff member.  I was turning over my Mom to their care and I felt very comfortable with everyone.  I felt heard and never felt pushed into any decision.

Katherine Lewis

I have always found the team at Springfield Funeral Home to be VERY caring, kind, considerate and helpful.  I have and will continue to recommend them to anyone who asks which funeral home would I suggest they use.  No other funeral home I have dealt with even comes close to Springfield Funeral Home.

Ethna Tutt

Right at the onset, I was made very comfortable, there was no pressure.  I was made to feel as if I was the only one they had to serve.

Frances Baum

Everything that was arranged for us was perfect.  Our loved one, husband, father, brother was treated with respect.  Thank you for making this difficult time a little more acceptable via your staff’s obvious caring and respect.

Jacquelene Bluschke