Where to scatter ashes in Exeter

For many people, scattering ashes is a deeply personal moment. It can be a really meaningful way to say goodbye and it’s important to take time to plan ahead and ensure you choose the right location for you and your loved one.

While some people choose to keep ashes at home in an urn, many people scatter ashes around natural beauty spots, usually places that have special memories attached to them. 

Scattering ashes is a great way of honouring your loved ones and in the UK people are generally allowed to scatter ashes anywhere. This can be along a river, in the sea, under a tree, at the beach or even on private land.

To scatter ashes in the sea or in a river then you do not need to have permission but there are some guidelines to follow and it’s recommended you seek advice from the environmental agency. For places inland it’s generally safe, but there are guidelines in place to protect nature and permission may need to be granted from the landowner. 

As Exeter is full of nature and coastline, there are many places for families and friends to scatter ashes, from the River Exe to Sandy Bay Beach and East Devon AONB. 

Find your funeral director in Exeter who will help you arrange a cremation and give you ideas of a meaningful place to scatter your loved one’s ashes. 

The River Exe runs through Exeter, Devon, and Somerset. If your loved one spent a lot of time on the river or grew up playing by the river then it is a fitting place to scatter their ashes. You could head to your loved one's favourite part of the river or stand on one of the bridges and scatter their ashes into the water. 

You could also visit Exmoor National Park where the headwaters of the Exe are. Here you can see where the river flows across moorland and scatter their ashes at the heart of the river. If your loved one spent some time at the park or was passionate about nature and wildlife this would be an excellent place to scatter their ashes. 

When scattering ashes into water and rivers, be sure to check with the local authorities if you need permission or not to do this. If you scatter the ashes in Exmoor National Park, you will want to check with the park if you need permission or not to, and they can offer guidance on appropriate spots. 

If your loved one enjoyed the seaside or spent their days walking across beaches, then you could scatter their ashes at Sandy Bay Beach. Featuring high cliffs, a low tide beach, and sandy shores, this beach is the ideal place to scatter your loved one’s ashes. 

You could stand at the top of the cliffs, or walk along the shoreline and scatter their ashes into the sea if you wish. The large beach boasts plenty of quiet areas should you wish to have some privacy. Why not invite your friends and family to say a few words or share memories about time spent on the beach with your loved one?

Be sure to check the tide times and the weather before travelling to the beach.

The East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boasts outstanding walks, rich local history, and wonderful nature, East Devon AONB is an excellent place to scatter your loved one’s ashes. If they spent a lot of time walking here, exploring new areas, or enjoying great food, it would be a fitting tribute.

You could walk along one of your loved one’s favourite routes, visit their favourite historical spot, or enjoy a coffee at a cafe they loved and scatter their ashes somewhere of significance. 

Invite your friends and family along to share memories of the time spent together, and pay tribute to your loved one together.