Scattering ashes in Tennessee

What Tennessee law says

Tennessee’s cremation law allows cremated remains to be scattered at sea, by air, in a dedicated area of a cemetery, or as the person or their family directs. TCA 62-5-508

Where families usually scatter ashes

• Your own land: generally fine.
• Someone else’s land: ask the owner first.
• Parks, lakes and rivers: ask the park or the agency that manages the water. Hestia could not find one statewide rule for Tennessee State Parks or TVA lakes, so call the park office before you go.
• Cemeteries: many have scattering gardens, which give the family a place to visit.
• At sea: federal rules require at least 3 nautical miles from shore and a notice to the EPA within 30 days.

Keeping some ashes

Many families keep a small portion in a keepsake urn or share them between relatives before scattering. Scattered ashes can’t be gathered again, so talk it through as a family first.

Plan it together, for free

A Hestia family space keeps the decisions, tasks, guests and costs in one private place, so nobody has to piece it together from texts and calls.