Guide
Scattering ashes in Ontario: where it's allowed and how to plan a ceremony
In short
In Ontario, you can scatter ashes on private land with the owner's consent, on unoccupied Crown land or water, such as a provincial park or the Great Lakes, when no sign prohibits it, on municipal land where local by-laws allow it, or in a cemetery's scattering grounds. The family can scatter the ashes itself: only a licensed operator may be paid to do it. A short ceremony, with a few words, a reading and a moment of silence, is enough to make it a goodbye.
Written by Sofiane B. · Founder, Celebrance
- Private land
- With the owner's consent, in writing
- Crown land and water
- If unoccupied, and no sign prohibits it
- Municipal land
- Check local by-laws first
- Paid scattering
- Only through a licensed operator
On this page
Where can you scatter ashes in Ontario?
The province allows the remains from cremation, or from alkaline hydrolysis (sometimes called water cremation), to be scattered in four kinds of places:
- private land, with the consent of the owner. The owner can't charge a fee unless they are licensed as a cemetery operator;
- unoccupied Crown land, including land covered by water, such as a provincial park, a conservation reserve or the Great Lakes, as long as no sign or posting prohibits scattering;
- municipal land, after checking with the municipality: local by-laws may prohibit scattering in some places, such as municipal parks;
- a cemetery's scattering grounds, if you buy scattering rights.
A landowner who wants to allow repeated scatterings on the same piece of land must establish it as a cemetery, with a licensed cemetery operator. Burying ashes outside a licensed cemetery is not permitted: for keeping them at home or placing them in a niche, see what to do with ashes in Ontario.
What the rules ask of you
- Ask first. For private land, get the owner's consent: the Bereavement Authority of Ontario's consumer guide says in writing. A short signed note is enough to avoid any doubt later.
- Read the signs. On Crown land and water, look for signs or postings that prohibit scattering.
- Call the municipality. For a municipal park, a beach or a waterfront, ask whether a by-law prohibits scattering there.
- Do it yourselves, or pay a licensed operator. The family can scatter the ashes itself at no cost. If you would rather someone do it for you, sign a contract with a licensed funeral establishment, cemetery or crematorium.
Choosing the place and the moment
The right place is often one that meant something: a lake they swam in every summer, a trail they walked, a garden they tended. A few practical points help on the day:
- Think of everyone who will come. A short, easy path makes it possible for older relatives and young children to be there.
- Check the wind. Stand with the wind at your back, and let the ashes go low and close to the ground or the water.
- On the water, stay close to the surface, and keep the boat still while you scatter.
- Plan for the weather. Pick a second date, or a sheltered spot nearby, and tell everyone where to meet.
- Choose the time of day. Early morning or the end of the afternoon is often quieter, and the light is soft.
A short ceremony, step by step
A scattering ceremony can take a quarter of an hour. One simple outline:
- Gather and welcome. Someone says why you are here, and why this place.
- Share a memory or two. One or two people tell a short story about the person.
- A reading or a song. A poem they loved, a passage, a song played on a phone.
- The scattering. One person, or each person in turn, lets some of the ashes go. A moment of silence follows.
- A closing. A word of thanks, and an invitation to share a meal or a drink together afterwards.
Words you can use
"We are here because [name] loved this place. Every summer, they were the first one in the water and the last one out. Today, we bring them back here."
"Thank you for coming. We won't make long speeches: [name] would have told us to keep it short and go eat. Let's take a moment, each of us, to remember them in our own way."
"As we let these ashes go, we let go a little of our sorrow, and we keep all of our memories."
For longer words, our guide on how to write a eulogy can help.
Who leads it?
Anyone the family chooses: a relative, a close friend, or a celebrant. A celebrant meets the family, listens, writes the words with you and leads the ceremony, so that you can simply be there.
If you would like a celebrant, Celebrance can connect you with one from our local network in Ontario, for a scattering, a memorial or a celebration of life. The price is shown upfront, and if your celebrant becomes unavailable, we arrange a replacement. See our celebrants for funerals and celebrations of life. For the steps before the scattering, see how to plan a funeral or celebration of life in Ontario.
Sources: ontario.ca: arrange funeral burial cremation alkaline hydrolysis or scattering · thebao.ca: welcome to the bereavement authority of ontarios faq for consumers · thebao.ca: bao cig eng july2025.pdf
Frequently asked questions
Can I scatter ashes in my own yard?
Yes: it is private land, and the owner's consent is yours to give. If you rent, ask the owner. A landowner who wants to allow repeated scatterings on a piece of land must establish it as a cemetery, with a licensed cemetery operator.
Can we scatter ashes in a provincial park or a lake?
Yes, on unoccupied Crown land, including land covered by water, such as a provincial park, a conservation reserve or the Great Lakes, as long as no sign or posting prohibits scattering.
Can someone charge us to scatter ashes on their land?
No. A landowner can't charge a fee for a scattering unless they are licensed as a cemetery operator.
Do we need a funeral home to scatter the ashes?
No. The family can scatter the ashes itself. You can also sign a contract with a licensed funeral establishment, cemetery or crematorium to do it for you.
Who can lead a scattering ceremony?
Anyone the family chooses: a relative, a friend, or a celebrant who writes and leads it with you.