Cremation Memorial Guide — Florida Families
What to Do With Ashes After Cremation: 10 Meaningful Options
There is no single right way to honor cremated remains. This guide walks through every option — from keeping them close to returning them to nature — so your family can choose what feels most right.
View Our Urns & Keepsakes →One of the greatest advantages of cremation is the freedom it gives families. Unlike burial, there is no deadline. The cremated remains — often called ashes, though they are actually fine bone fragments — can be kept indefinitely, divided, moved, or honored in multiple ways over time. For a complete overview of the cremation process and everything leading up to this moment, see our Complete Florida Cremation Guide.
1. There Is No Rush — and No Wrong Answer
Florida law places no time limit on how long a family may keep cremated remains. There is no requirement to bury, scatter, or otherwise permanently place them within any particular window of time. Families who are not ready to make a decision do not have to make one.
Some families know immediately what they want to do. Others take months to decide, and some divide the remains so different family members can each find their own way to honor them. All of these approaches are valid and legal in Florida.
What follows are ten of the most meaningful options available to families in Manatee, Sarasota, and surrounding counties — along with practical details about what each involves, what it costs, and any Florida-specific rules that apply.
Option 1: Keep Them at Home in an Urn
Keeping cremated remains in an urn at home is one of the most common choices, and it is entirely legal in Florida. Many families find comfort in having their loved one close — on a mantle, a bookshelf, or another place of significance in the home. There is no requirement to ever move the remains if the family does not wish to.
Urns come in a wide range of materials, styles, and price points. A basic polymer urn is included with every cremation package. Families who want something more personal can choose from wooden, ceramic, brass, biodegradable, or custom engraved options. We offer urns from $15 to $500. Our Premium Cremation Package includes a premium urn valued up to $195.
One consideration: if the family plans to move in the future, or if there is uncertainty about who will eventually inherit the urn, it is worth having a conversation now about long-term plans. Some families use a temporary urn while deciding on a permanent option.
Option 2: Bury Them in a Cemetery
Cremated remains can be buried in a traditional cemetery plot, often at a significantly lower cost than a full casket burial. Many cemeteries also offer dedicated cremation sections, cremation gardens, or columbarium niches — small compartments in a wall or structure designed specifically to hold urns. This option provides a permanent, physical location for family members to visit, which many people find important for ongoing grief and remembrance.
Some families choose to bury cremated remains in an existing family plot, which can be a meaningful way to reunite a loved one with others who have passed before them. Cemetery fees vary and are set by the individual cemetery, not the funeral home. We can assist with coordinating cemetery arrangements as part of your service.
For veterans, burial in a national cemetery is available at no cost. See Option 7 below.
Option 3: Scatter at Sea
Scattering cremated remains at sea is one of the most popular choices for Florida families, and for good reason. The Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic coast hold deep meaning for many people who have spent their lives on or near the water. It is a beautiful, peaceful tribute that connects a loved one permanently with the natural world.
Federal EPA regulations require that ocean scattering take place at least 3 nautical miles from shore. Only biodegradable materials may be placed in the water alongside the remains — biodegradable flowers and urns are permitted; plastic or non-biodegradable containers are not. The EPA must also be notified within 30 days of the scattering — we handle this notification on your behalf.
AM Cremation & Funeral Care offers a Scatter Cremains at Sea service ($225) performed by a licensed funeral director. This is ideal for families who want the scattering handled with care and proper legal compliance but are unable to be present, or who simply prefer to have it managed professionally.
Families who wish to be present for the scattering can charter a private boat. Several operators in the Sarasota, Bradenton, and Anna Maria Island area offer memorial charter services. We are happy to provide referrals.
For a full guide to the legal requirements and best locations, see our dedicated post: Scattering Ashes in Florida: Rules, Locations & How We Can Help.
Option 4: Scatter at a Meaningful Location on Land
Scattering cremated remains on private land is generally permitted in Florida with the landowner’s permission. This might mean a family’s own property, a beloved hunting or fishing spot, a favorite garden, or anywhere that held deep meaning to the deceased.
Scattering on public land — a state or national park, a public beach, or a public waterway — requires permission from the relevant authority and varies by location. Some parks have designated scattering areas; others do not permit it. It is always worth contacting the managing authority before making plans.
Scattering in inland waterways such as rivers, lakes, and bays is subject to state environmental guidelines. We recommend checking with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for current guidance specific to your intended location.
There is no Florida state permit required for private land scattering when done with the landowner’s permission, but we always recommend documenting the location and the family’s wishes in writing.
Option 5: Keepsake Jewelry and Remembrance Pieces
Keepsake jewelry allows family members to keep a small portion of cremated remains close to them at all times. Pendants, rings, bracelets, and lockets designed to hold a small amount of cremains are beautiful and deeply personal tributes. They are particularly meaningful for families who want something tangible to carry with them every day.
We offer a range of keepsake jewelry from $50 to $500. These pieces are crafted specifically to hold a small amount of cremated remains and are available in various metals and styles. Some families purchase multiple pieces so that several family members can each have something to carry.
Beyond jewelry, some artisans offer glass art infused with cremated remains — see Option 10 below — and some specialty companies create custom diamonds, pressed flowers mixed with remains, or other unique remembrance objects. These can be arranged independently after the cremated remains are returned to you.
Option 6: Divide Among Family Members
Florida law permits families to divide cremated remains among multiple family members. This is a common and meaningful choice, particularly for families who are spread across different cities or states — each person can have their own way of honoring the deceased without anyone feeling excluded.
Sharing urns and companion urns are available for families who wish to formally divide the remains. Keepsake urns — smaller versions designed to hold a portion of the remains — are also available and can be kept by individual family members while a primary urn holds the majority.
When dividing remains, some families choose to scatter one portion and keep another, or bury one portion at a cemetery while keeping the rest at home. These combined approaches are entirely lawful and give families the flexibility to honor their loved one in multiple meaningful ways.
Option 7: Interment at a National Cemetery (Veterans)
Eligible U.S. military veterans and their spouses may have cremated remains interred at a national cemetery at no cost to the family. The VA covers the cost of the niche or burial space, a government-furnished headstone or marker, and a burial flag. This is one of the most meaningful final honors available, and one that many veterans specifically request.
National cemeteries serving families in our area include Sarasota National Cemetery, Bay Pines National Cemetery (near St. Petersburg), and Florida National Cemetery (in Bushnell). Our Veteran Cremation Packages include coordination with the Veterans National Scheduling Office and transportation of cremated remains to Sarasota National Cemetery or Bay Pines National Cemetery. Transportation to Florida National Cemetery is available at an additional charge of $450.
Military honors — including the folding and presentation of the American flag and the playing of “Taps” — are also available for eligible veterans. We assist in arranging military honors as part of our Veteran Cremation Packages.
For full information on veteran benefits available to Florida families, see our Veterans’ Benefits page.
Option 8: Memorial Reef or Ecological Tribute
For families who loved the ocean or had a strong connection to the natural world, memorial reef placement is a growing and deeply meaningful option. Companies such as Eternal Reefs incorporate cremated remains into environmentally beneficial artificial reef structures that are placed on the ocean floor, where they become part of a living marine ecosystem over time.
This option is particularly fitting for families in Southwest Florida, where the Gulf of Mexico and its marine environment are central to daily life for many residents. Several reef placement sites exist off the Florida coast.
These services are arranged independently through reef memorial companies after the cremated remains are returned to you. We can provide referrals to reputable providers in this space.
Option 9: Plant a Memorial Tree
Living memorial options have become increasingly popular for families seeking a tribute that grows and gives back over time. Biodegradable memorial urns designed to be planted with a tree seed or sapling allow the cremated remains to nourish new life. Some families plant these on private property; others choose dedicated memorial forests or conservation burial areas where a tree is planted on their behalf.
In Florida’s climate, a wide variety of trees thrive year-round and can become living landmarks that future generations visit and remember. Native Florida species such as live oak, magnolia, or cypress are particularly meaningful choices.
Biodegradable urns suitable for planting are available through specialty providers and can be purchased independently. Some companies will also plant and tend a memorial tree on your behalf in a designated location if you prefer not to manage the planting yourself.
Option 10: Commission a Work of Art or Glass
Artisans across the country specialize in incorporating a small amount of cremated remains into handcrafted glass, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. The result is a one-of-a-kind piece that honors the deceased in a way that is both beautiful and entirely personal — something that can be displayed in the home and passed down through generations.
Glass artists who work with cremated remains can create paperweights, vases, pendants, and decorative pieces in a range of colors and styles. Some families commission a piece that reflects their loved one’s favorite colors, hobbies, or connection to the natural world.
These services are arranged independently with specialty artists after the cremated remains are returned to you. Costs vary widely depending on the artist and the piece. We are happy to provide guidance on finding reputable providers.
