Want to scatter your loved one’s ashes into WA waters? State ferry boats offer an option
When a loved one passes away, and their remains are cremated, what are the rules and regulations about scattering their ashes in the state of Washington? The answer differs depending on where you want to scatter the ashes and who owns the land.
But what if you want to scatter ashes while aboard a Washington state ferry boat? Here’s what to know.
How to scatter ashes from a WA state ferry
The Washington State Department of Transportation’s ferry service offers multiple options for scattering ashes, but remains must be contained in a certified biodegradable journey urn, and the entire contents must be sent overboard.
Journey urns can be purchased online and generally range in price from about $35 to $200. The less expensive urns are typically made of materials like biodegradable paper, and the more expensive options can be made from materials like Himalayan salt.
Washington State Ferries offers memorial services during non-peak travel times between 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Available time slots on Saturdays and Sundays are before 10 a.m.
To secure a spot on a ferry for a gathering and scattering ashes, first choose the date, ferry route and time you prefer. Then, fill out a Memorial Request Form and pay the $150 fee. Only one service per route per day is allowed, so scheduling at least one month in advance is recommended.
Flowers can also be tossed overboard, but they must be 100% biodegradable, without any plastic or metal pieces. Each ceremony is limited to five minutes, and a request can be made to sound the boat’s horn, but that’s at the discretion of the boat captain.
There are seven route options (some are on alternate schedules) that include:
Where else can you scatter ashes in WA?
Ashes can be scattered in most public and state-owned lands in the state with permission from whoever controls such land. The Washington State Department of Licensing outlines where in the state cremated remains may be scattered:
Scattering gardens
Many memorial parks, funeral homes and churches in Washington state have designated areas for scattering ashes called scattering gardens. Permission must be obtained from the location.
Private land
Permission must be granted from the landowner.
National parks
Permission must be granted by the chief park ranger.
State trust uplands
Permission must be granted from the appropriate region manager with the Washington State Department of Resources.
State-controlled public waters
Ashes can be scattered into bodies of water such as the Puget Sound, Strait of Juan de Fuca, rivers, streams and lakes.
Pacific Ocean
Ashes can be scattered into the ocean beyond the low water mark. The scattering must follow the Environmental Protection Agency guidelines for burial at sea. Cremated remains may be buried in or on ocean waters of any depth as long as the burial is done at least three nautical miles from land and the EPA is notified of the event within 30 days.
Washingtonians can report the burial using the EPA’s online Burial at Sea Reporting System.
