From Shore to Sea: Honoring Loved Ones in Puget Sound

Have you ever considered how you would like to be remembered after you pass away? For some, that means a traditional burial in a cemetery. For others, newer alternatives like human composting feel more fitting – an option Washington was the first state to legalize. And many people are drawn to cremation as a way of simplifying end-of-life arrangements.

Under RCW 68.04.110, cremation is defined as “the reduction of human remains to bone fragments in a crematory by means of incineration.” Once cremation is complete, families have several choices about what to do with the remains, including scattering them in meaningful locations.

According to the Washington State Department of Licensing, cremated remains may be scattered in a variety of locations including public navigable waters under state control, like the Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The guidelines are simple: scatter only the ashes themselves, never the urn, and dispose of any identification tags or other items separately.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has rules for those who want to scatter ashes at sea. Ashes must be released at least three nautical miles from shore, and the scattering must be reported to the EPA within 30 days.

Closer to home, scattering ashes in the Puget Sound, in particular, has become an increasingly popular way to honor a loved one. In fact, the Seattle Times recently profiled a widow who fulfilled her husband’s wish to have his ashes scattered there. This was made possible through the Washington State Department of Transportation, which offers memorial services for this very purpose. To participate, remains must be placed in a certified biodegradable container that dissolves quickly in water. Floral tributes are welcome, but only if they are free of plastic, wire, ribbons, or other non-biodegradable materials. If these requirements are not met, the Department will cancel the service without exception.

Thinking about these decisions in advance gives you peace of mind and relieves your loved ones from having to guess at your wishes. If you would like scattering your ashes in Puget Sound (or any other end-of-life arrangement) to be part of your estate plan, please contact our office. We would be honored to help ensure your wishes are carried out.