Take a boat ride from Brighton Marina to the sea, spend some quiet time on Brighton Pier, or walk through the South Downs to Ditchling Beacon to scatter your loved one’s ashes in a place that meant so much to them.
Scattering ashes in Brighton
Scattering your loved one’s ashes is a deeply personal moment. It’s important that you take the time to plan ahead and ensure that you choose the right location for you and those closest to you.
While some people may choose to keep ashes at home in an urn, or have them interred, others prefer to scatter the ashes in water or in nature, and usually somewhere that was important to their loved one who died.
In the UK, people are generally allowed to scatter ashes anywhere, though there are guidelines to follow and some areas may need written permission. It is a good idea to check ahead with the relevant authorities before scattering ashes, and they may be able to offer advice on good spots or quieter times.
As a seaside city, families and friends can scatter ashes in the sea after taking a boat ride from Brighton Marina. They can also scatter them from Brighton Pier, or walk into the South Downs to scatter them in a nature spot such as Ditchling Beacon.
Find your funeral director in Brighton who will help you arrange a cremation and give you ideas of a meaningful place to scatter your loved one's ashes.
Learn about scattering ashes
Many people are unsure about what to do with ashes once they receive them. You might decide to scatter them somewhere meaningful. This how to scatter ashes guide gives you some ideas, as well as explaining the best ways to scatter them.
A boat ride from Brighton Marina
Scatter your loved one’s ashes at sea by taking a boat from Brighton Marina into the waters of the English Channel. Several companies offer dedicated ash scattering services which involve taking you and your family and friends out to sea, where they will stop the boat and turn off the engine, allowing you to say goodbye in your own time.
Some companies may also offer the option of playing your chosen music as you scatter the ashes, so you can listen to your loved one’s favourite song as you say goodbye.
A water-soluble, biodegradable urn would be an ideal option for scattering at sea. The urn floats in the water before breaking down and gently releasing the ashes into the water.
Brighton Palace Pier
You can scatter your loved one’s ashes from Brighton Palace Pier by contacting the general manager who can help you arrange your visit when the pier is closed to the public, usually early in the morning or late in the evening.
Spend a day at your loved one’s favourite spots on Brighton Pier and the seafront either before or after the event: you could enjoy ice cream on the beach, paddle in the sea, and play in the arcade.
Gather your family and friends for a day celebrating the life of your loved one, and say goodbye on Brighton Palace Pier.
Ditchling Beacon
Take a walk through the South Downs to Ditchling Beacon, just seven miles north of Brighton. It is the highest point in East Sussex and offers walkers panoramic views of the surrounding scenery.
Enjoy the beautiful setting of the South Downs as you reflect upon your loved one’s life and share stories with your family and friends as you walk. Using a scattering tube and standing upwind, you can let your loved one’s ashes flow away with the breeze.
As a National Trust site, you should get written permission from the property manager beforehand. They may also be able to give you some ideas on suitable spots, (some areas may be off limits to protect plant life), and they could also advise you on quieter times for more privacy.
We can help you decide where to scatter ashes
If you choose to go with cremation instead of burial, we’ve got lots of ideas on where you might scatter ashes and how to make sure the day goes as smoothly as possible.
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