A ceremony is not required, however, each scattering is unique. It is typical for all participants to throw flowers over the scattered ashes. From there we have seen everthing from raising a toast to one person sang a song for their father. Occaisionally, a bag-piper is hired for the occasion, however, often a favourite piece of music is played, or even a moment of silence is observed.
Cremation Services Victoria
We network with these local, and other funeral homes nationwide
Cremation Services Victoria BC
- McCall Gardens & Sequoia Centre 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria BC, V8Y 1B4 Phone: 250-385-4465 info@mccallgardens.com https://www.mccallgardens.com
- Afordable Cremation 4392 Westshore Parkway, Langoford BC, V9B 5Z1 Phone: 250-391-1540 info@affordablecremationandburial.ca https://island.affordablecremationandburial.ca
- Earth’s Option Cremation 5-831 Devonshire Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 4T5 Phone: 778-440-8500 info@earthsoption.com https://www.earthsoption.com
- Victoria Cremation Serices 2355 James White Blvd., Sidney, BC V8L 0A1 Phone: 250-391-6294 info@victoriacremations.ca https://www.victoriacremations.ca
- Pacific Coast Cremation 717 Goldstream Ave., Langford, BC V9B 2X4 Phone: 778-433-9344 info@pacificcoastcremation.com https://www.pacificcoastcremation.com
- Sands Funeral Chapel Cremation (2 locations) 317 Goldstream Ave, Colwood, BC V9B 2W4 Phone: 250-478-3821 https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-colwood -and- 1803 Quadra St., Victoria, BC V8T 4B8 Phone: 250-778-400-6221 email not available https://www.arbormemorial.ca/en/sands-victoria
- Royal Oak Burial Park 4673 Falaise Dr, Victoria, BC V8Y 1B4 Phone: 250-658-5621 info@robp.ca
In Canada the federal government has jurisdiction over all crown land including waterways. There are no federal laws, ergo no restrictions for scattering cremated remains in tidal coastal waters. You can even do this yourself. In fact these may also be scattered, but not buried on federal crown land. The only exception to this if signage is posted in a specific, perhaps environmentally sensitive area.
The transportation of cremated remains is permitted in Canada via air, sea and train.
There is no need to make a decision immediately after the cremation. While many people do this shortly after the cremation, others choose to wait to scatter the remains on the first anniversary of their loved one’s death to delay the need to make a decision.
While some people will obtain a biodegradable urn which floats for a short time before sinking, and disolving. This is nether necessary, nor commonly done. Typically the ashes are poured out of the container provided by the funeral home / crematorium directly over the side of the boat. It is our job to ensure wind direction and tides are taken in to account when positioning the boat.
100% Funeral homes from across Canada ship us cremated ashes for burial at sea. We have also received ashes from overseas to have them scattered in a loved ones favourite location, however, there are but there are specific rules and recommendations should be followed. (listed in another FAQ here.
Yes, it is legal to bring human ashes into Canada, but there are specific requirements you need to follow to comply with Canadian regulations.
✅ Requirements for Bringing Human Ashes into Canada:
Ashes must be in a container:
The container should be leak-proof and sealed.
It must be clearly identified as containing cremated remains.
Documentation:
You must carry a copy of the death certificate.
You must also have a copy of the cremation certificate (sometimes called a crematorium certificate).
These documents help confirm that the remains are human ashes and ensure smooth clearance by customs.
Declaration at the border:
You are required to declare the ashes at the border, whether you're entering by air, land, or sea.
It's best to declare them clearly and provide the above documentation to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer.
Airline rules (if flying):
Each airline has its own rules for transporting cremated remains, including whether you can carry them in hand luggage or checked baggage.
Most airlines prefer the ashes to be in a scannable container (like wood or plastic) instead of metal to allow X-ray inspection.
🧳 Tip:
It’s often recommended to contact your airline and the CBSA ahead of time to ensure you have the right documents and container type before traveling.
It really can seem like a surprisingly large amount. Human ashes are much more substantial in volume than many people expect. After cremation, an adult's ashes typically weigh around 2–3 kg (4–7 lb) and occupy roughly 3–4 litres of space — about the size of a large carton of milk or a small bucket. A few things explain why they look like so much. They're not just fine ash. Cremated remains are mostly processed bone fragments, ground into a coarse, sand-like material. They spread out. When scattered on the ground, over water, or in the wind, even a small amount can cover a surprisingly large area. The colour makes them noticeable. Their pale grey or white appearance can stand out against dark water.
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