Table of Contents - Frequently Asked Questions
Visit our Links page for additional resources regarding scattering and cremation.
- Why choose to Scatter by airplane?
- Can I ride along in the airplane and participate in the scattering?
- Can I schedule a time and date to observe the release from the ground or shore?
- In California, where can Cremated remains be scattered?
- How long from the time SCATTERINGS receives the remains until they are scattered?
- How do you care for the remains until they are scattered?
- How will I know when the scattering has occurred?
- Can
I mail Cremated remains?
- Do you provide for pre need service?
- Can I make a special request?
- SCATTERINGS license verification
Why choose to Scatter by airplane?
The scattering of cremated remains is universally associated with Cremation.
Airborne scattering above a memorable setting gives closure while providing peace and comfort to those left behind.
Cremation and scattering open many more memorial choices than traditional in ground burial.
For many, to be scattered above a place that holds special significance is a meaningful choice. For others, it is the symbolic nature of the freedom of flight, and the release into the winds and sky to begin the journey to only imagined heights and destinations.
Airborne release has these advantages over the limited areas served by a boat, the spreading of the ashes into a common section of ground in a cemetery, or the remains being confined in the wall of a Columbaria.
For those left behind, the focal point of the memorial becomes not a marker in a cemetery, but the memories of the person, and the place of scattering, as they are encountered during the patterns of daily life. Images of the California Coast, the lighthouse at Santa Cruz or Pigeon Point, the golf courses of Pebble Beach, the curve of the Monterey Bay, the aroma of the pines trees in the Sierra Nevada, or the sun setting on the Golden Gate Bridge invoke memories of the person who was scattered nearby.
When the remains of your loved one are scattered by air, each sunset becomes an ongoing memorial, no matter where you are when that sunset is observed.
The airborne release of cremated remains gives options when selecting a means and place of final rest. Yes, you can be in the aircraft and participate in the release. There is a liability release that must be signed to be present in the aircraft.
You will be able to pour the ashes from their urn, however you will typically not see the ashes as they are released beneath the aircraft. It can be emotional to take part in the actual scattering of the ashes, and the small space, noise and bumpy ride in a small aircraft can heighten those emotions. However the views from the aircraft and participating in the release can provide for powerful closure. The fee for an attended release includes 4 passengers, a simple card memorializing the flight, and rose petals to scatter following the release of the ashes. Pricing starts at $725 for a flight in the local San Francisco area.
Yes, you may observe the release from the ground or schedule the release in conjunction with a ground based service. The scattering flight consists of a fly by at the agreed upon time, followed by a low pass to release the ashes. We then return and release rose petals as we spiral above the scattering location. Pricing starts at $425 for an observed release in the local San Francisco Bay area.
California Health and Safety code
governs the scattering of Cremated remains, and this code allows remains
to be scattered where no local prohibition exists, with the written
permission of the property owner or governing agency. Scattering at sea, or the inland
navigable waters of the state, must be conduced 500 yards off shore.
Scattering into lakes and streams is not allowed, nor is the
scattering from a bridge or pier. California law requires that the remains be released
within 60 days of receipt. We
scatter well within this time frame, in most cases within a few weeks following our receipt of the ashes. However we operate at the mercy of the weather and delays may occur. In the highly unlikely event that the delay extends beyond 60 days, you will be notified in writing the reason for the delay. We are very willing to help accommodate a specific date request. Please contact us if you have any questions. We treat each and every urn as if it were a member
of our own family. They
are treated with dignity, honor and respect up to and including the
time that they are released. SCATTERINGS
will, at your request, telephone or email following the scattering
flight.
In addition, you will be mailed a certificate with the date and
location of the release. We will also complete the legal documentation
required by the State, and return to you copies of those forms.
Yes,
with the United States Postal Service. This
is their regulation: 452.2
Cremated Remains Human
ashes are permitted to be mailed provided they are packed in siftproof
containers or other containers that are sealed in durable siftproof
outer containers. The identity
of the contents should be marked on the address side. Cremated remains sent to domestic addresse may be sent via Express Mail or Registered Mail service. You must include our Authorization
to Release and, if death occured in California, the Application
and Permit for Disposition of Human Remains (form VS-9 which
accompanied the remains when you received them from your Cremation provider). If death occured outside of California, your states permit for transit, obtained from your local health department, and/or a photocopy of the death certificate must accompany the remains. For your convenience we have created
a shipping label and we provide detailed mailing instructions.
FEDEX
or UPS will not accept cremated remains for shipment.
We
applaud your decision to explore your options. Planning in advance
for your own death can spare your loved ones the anguish of making difficult
decisions while in a state of grief. The
California Department of Consumer Affairs' Cemetery and Funeral Bureau
has developed a Consumer
Guide to Funeral and Cemetery Purchases to assist you in making
the difficult decisions about funeral and cemetery arrangements for
yourself or someone close to you. Other
valuable online websites are the non profit Funeral
Consumer Alliance, or the San Mateo/Santa Clara County non
profit Funeral
Education Foundation. We
suggest that if you are interested in using our service, you download
and complete our Authorization
to Release , and include it with your planning paperwork.
When other family members are a part of this decision, our tri-fold brochure can be an aid in explaining choices and options. (This is a large file. If you perfer, please contact us to request a brochure be mailed to you.) We
have a professional relationship with several excellent and honorable
providers of Cremation Services, and would be happy to provide you with
a reference. Visit
our Links page for additional resources
regarding scattering and cremation. We are always available via telephone and email
to discuss our service and your options. We are committed to providing professional,
compassionate, honest and reliable scattering services. Our goal is open and honest accountability.
Here are links to Government maintained data bases to verify Pilot,
Aircraft and California license (CRD) currency. Verification
of airman status For security purposes, the FAA requires that
you enter your name and address to access the pilot information data
base. Search FAA data base by Last name (Trovinger) First
name (Gary) Verification
of Aircraft registration status Search FAA data base by N-number
(8381V) or Name (Scatterings) Verification
of CRD status Search State of California data base by Name
(Trovinger) or CRD number ( #685)Back to Top
Can I ride along in the airplane and participate in the scattering?
Back to Top
Can I schedule a time and date to observe the release from the ground or shore?
Back to Top
In
California, where can Cremated remains be Scattered?
Back to Top
How
long from the time SCATTERINGS receives the remains until they
are scattered?
Back to Top
How
do you care for the remains until they are scattered?
Back to Top
How
will I know when the scattering has occurred?
Back to Top
Can
I mail Cremated remains?
Back to Top
Do
you provide for pre need service?
Back to Top
Can
I make a special request?
Back to Top
SCATTERINGS
license verification
Back to Top
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email info@scatteringbyair.com
or call 1.408.858.1205