Pet Ashes Law: What is the law on burying or scattering cremated pet ashes?
Sadly unlike human ashes, animal cremains are considered to be a ‘waste item’ in strictly legal terms. The law doesn’t take into account the amount you loved them. Thus they are covered by the law, you are allowed to bury or scatter the ashes in your garden as long as you own the property.
Scattering their ashes, is a different issue and theoretically is not allowed however public bodies such as a local authority or the Environment Agency have to take a proportionate approach and if it is not causing a nuisance, they will deem it not in the public interest to take action.
Let me give you an example, pouring the remains of a pet over neighbours fence would prompt action, but a dusting over a wide expanse such as moorland or the sea would not. It is about being considerate.
Over time the ashes will ingrate into the soil, the more thinly spread and closer to the surface they are, the faster this will happen.
Has anyone been allowed to bury their pet or its ashes in a Churchyard (rather than a cemetery)?
Hi Christine,
To my knowledge I’ve never known anyone to be allowed to bury their pet in a graveyard. I have heard, anecdotally, that funeral directors have placed a pet cat or dog in with a deceased person so that they are buried together but it is illegal I’m afraid.
Karen
Hi. I’m wanting to scatter my dogs ashes on the beach. Who would I need to check with to see if this would be acceptable?
Hi Courtney
Scattering your dog’s ashes on the beach is a lovely way to honour them, you just need to be aware and mindful of others using the beach. May I recommend scattering them in the sea at the end of a high tide so that the ashes go out with the tide and not onto the beach. Karen
Can a owner have their pets ashes scattered over their grave side ?
Hi David, the quick answer is yes but it does depend where the owner has been buried. Many churches for example do not allow it, you need to ask the land owner’s permission. There are many natural burial sites that now offer this service when you purchase the grave site
i got my dog cremated, an i allowed to bury his ashes in a forest where we always used to sit on a large hill? i havé tree seeds that i can plant too, im going to keep some of his ashes but i want to know if i can bury them where nobody goes
Hi Marley, you will need to ask the land owners permission to scatter, do you know who owns the forest?
Can mi babyz petz Tu zum pepl get put wiv me when I get cremated
Thank you for your question Jak. Your baby pet can be buried with in quite a few locations now but you must check beforehand, as with most things it will depend on who owns the site. I hope this is helpful. Karen
Can my pets ages be put in my coffin when I’m cremated?
Can a pets cremated ashes be put on his deceased owners geave
Hi Vivienne
You would need to check with the cemetery to find out if they would allow this, I believe it differs depending on location.
Kind regards
I left my dogs ashes in cardboard file and planted flowers on top is this acceptable
Hi Sue, did you bury the cardboard file in the garden? Planting flowers on top of buried ashes is a wonderful way to celebrate your dog.