Where can I scatter ashes in Canada?

The Blue Mountains, Ontario

When the time comes, Canadians have options for returning their loved ones to the earth.

There is a long-standing belief that scattering cremation ashes on natural land is prohibited. But for many who have lived in or visited our awe-inspiring lands of the True North, there is no question that they’ve found their final resting place. There’s an energy that speaks to their soul, and they know they’ve found peace. From the Rocky Mountains and Canadian Shield, to the diverse forest parks. From ocean shores and river passageways into the Great Lakes.

Thankfully, ash scattering is perfectly legal in Canada.

We are permitted to scatter cremated remains on any nationally regulated Crown Lands, the Great Lakes, and most Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas. That said, there are a few government guidelines for your scattering ceremony:

• Make efforts to be environmentally respectful

  • Respect existing trails, vegetation, and wildlife

  • Understand that ashes are toxic to the ecosystem, and it’s possible to remedy this to keep their resting place thriving and natural

  • If incorporating flowers or confetti, use minimally and choose indigenous or organic species that are 100% compostable

• Ashes may be scattered—however, headstones, markers, or other keepsakes may not be left behind

• The resting place should be “unoccupied”—in other words, in a quiet and peaceful space (rather than a crowded tourist area)

• No permits necessary. Nearly all Crown Lands, the Great Lakes, and most Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas are open to scatterings—so you will not need to submit a permit. If your perfect place is on Municipal or Provincial lands, confirm their regulations early on in planning (Jasper for example, has their own specific guidelines).
  

Scattering ashes is also permitted on privately owned land. The two caveats here are: you must have permission from the land-owner, and only one person’s ashes may be scattered per property (unless it’s a designated cemetery). We’ll explore this option further in an upcoming post.