Please contact me if you cannot find an answer to your question.
In most cases — no, not legally.
While you don’t need a licence to scatter ashes in the UK, there are important legal and environmental restrictions that many people aren’t aware of.
I’ve gone to great lengths to engage with landowners, public bodies, and environmental groups so that I can carry out this work legally, respectfully, and with the right understanding.
There are also practical reasons why people choose to use my service:
Above all, I take the responsibility seriously. If you’d like someone to carry out the scattering calmly, lawfully, and with care, I’m here to help.
Not quite. Most lakes in the Lake District are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), which means ash scattering isn’t legally permitted without special consent. That permission can only be granted to landowners — not individuals — and is rarely issued.
With the support of landowners, I can now offer scatterings on Coniston Water as well as Windermere, both of which remain accessible and lawful for this purpose.
If you have another lake in mind, please do ask. Through my consultancy service, I can look into what permissions might be needed and advise whether it could be possible.
What about the sea?
I also offer sea scatterings on the Solway Firth (south of Allonby) and in the Irish Sea, including the waters off St Bees Head.
If you have another coastal location in mind, feel free to get in touch — I’m open to exploring special arrangements where possible.
At the moment, I don’t offer on-board attendance — but you’re very welcome to observe from the shore if that feels right for you.
I’m looking at ways to offer more in-person options in future, but for now, every scattering includes a video recording, a certificate, and the exact what3words location, so you’ll always know where and when your loved one was laid to rest.
Yes — the service is exactly the same, whether your loved one was a person or a pet.
Every scattering is handled with the same care, attention, and respect, regardless of species. The price reflects the time, equipment, and thought that goes into making it right.
Yes, I’m happy to offer a fully remote service.
Many of the families I work with aren’t based locally, so arranging a respectful and secure courier delivery is absolutely possible. Just get in touch and I’ll guide you through the process step by step.
Absolutely — I would very much welcome the opportunity to meet in person.
Talking about your loved one, their favourite part of the Lake District (or coast), and any readings, poems, or prayers you’d like included helps me create a scattering that truly feels right.
A personal handover is ideal. I can come to your home or meet you at a location of your choice — it’s all included in the price.
That’s entirely up to you — both offer something deeply meaningful.
The sea is a wonderful option because, wherever you are in the world, you can reconnect. If you dip your toes into any sea, you’re touching the water of every ocean. There’s something very comforting about that — knowing your loved one is part of something vast and connected.
The lakes, on the other hand, are more contained. Ashes tend to settle gently in the depths and remain within that same body of water. They don’t travel far. It becomes a quiet, local place you can return to — a landscape that holds their presence, season after season.
If you’re unsure, I’m always happy to talk it through with you.
This isn’t something I offer.
I feel strongly about minimising any impact on the natural environment, and I try not to add anything man-made to the lakes or sea unless absolutely necessary. I’m incredibly proud of where I live and work, and I want to do everything I can to respect and protect these beautiful places.
My service involves scattering ashes directly onto the surface of the water from a container. Once the scattering is complete, I rinse the container thoroughly to ensure no trace remains, and I return it to you.
You can read more about this in my environmental impact policy
I can include a small number of natural flower petals if you’d like to add something visual and symbolic to the scattering.
However, I don’t use anything that could harm the environment — that means no plastic, wire, or synthetic materials. Even biodegradable wreaths can include elements that aren’t suitable for lakes or the sea.
If we do use petals, I’ll do my best to gently retrieve them from the water after the ashes have dispersed, in keeping with my environmental commitment.
You can read more in my environmental impact policy
There’s been growing concern in recent years about the number of ashes being scattered on the summits of our fells — in some places, so many that it’s starting to affect the soil and the balance of those fragile upland habitats.
As someone who loves the Lake District and the sea, I wanted to offer a different kind of farewell — one that still honours a deep connection to nature, but does so gently, without leaving a mark.
Scattering ashes on water feels like the right answer for many people. The remains settle quietly, without harming the landscape or wildlife, and the water holds them peacefully in place. It’s clean, respectful, and deeply moving.
It’s not for everyone — but if it feels right to you, I’d be glad to help.
I’m happy to accept payment by contactless card or device, cash, BACS transfer, or PayPal — whatever’s easiest for you.
If you’d like to chat about anything before confirming, just let me know.
Some days the lakes and sea are beautifully calm — others, less so. I’ll only carry out a scattering when it’s safe, respectful and the conditions feel right.
If the weather isn’t suitable, I’ll simply keep in touch and wait for a better window. There’s never an extra charge for rescheduling due to weather.
I can often help at short notice, but a little notice always helps — especially if you’re travelling to the area. If you have a particular date in mind, just let me know and I’ll gladly try to make it work.
My pricing is based on a simple day-rate of £200, because most scatterings take the best part of a day once everything is included.
That single fee covers far more than the moment on the water. It includes the time we spend talking beforehand, any planning or location checks, the travel involved, the scattering itself, the video recording and editing, and the certificate and paperwork I prepare afterwards. In short — everything needed to do the job properly, calmly, and with care.
You’ll never be surprised by the cost.
I will never charge more than £200 without agreeing it with you explicitly in advance.
For my land-based consultancy service, the same principle applies. Consultancy starts from £200, and if there’s ever likely to be more involved — for example, detailed permission work or multiple site assessments — I’ll always explain it first and agree everything before I begin.
My aim is to keep things simple, transparent, and fair. If you ever have a question about cost, I’m always happy to talk it through.