Scattering Ashes in Arkansas — A Complete Guide

Everything Arkansas families need to know about ash scattering laws, the Ozarks, the Arkansas River, Hot Springs, Crater of Diamonds State Park, and verified cemetery scattering garden options across the Natural State.

Author's Note: Arkansas is on my bucket list to visit, but until I get there, my biggest frame of reference for seeing Arkansas is from the movie Thelma and Louise. Whenever I plan a trip to a place I haven't visited before, I look for fun facts or featured restaurants. I am not sure when I am coming to visit, but I think I would plan to visit Ouachita National Forest and maybe time it during the World Cheese-Dip Championships!

If you are thinking of scattering ashes in the state of Arkansas, it may be helpful to know the official symbols:

  • State Flower: Apple Blossom 🌸
  • State Tree: Loblolly Pine 🌲
  • State Bird: Northern Mockingbird 🐦
  • State Gem: Diamond 💎
  • State Rock: Bauxite 🪨
  • State Mineral: Quartz Crystal 🔮
  • State Song: "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)" 🎶
  • State Motto: "Regnat Populus" (The People Rule) 🤝

Note: Arkansas has four official state songs under A.C.A. § 1-4-116. "Arkansas (You Run Deep in Me)" by Wayland Holyfield and "Oh, Arkansas" by Terry Rose & Gary Klaff are both official state songs; "Arkansas" by Eva Ware Barnett is the official state anthem; and "The Arkansas Traveler" is the official state historical song.

How Prevalent Is Ash Scattering in Arkansas?

The practice of scattering ashes has grown steadily across Arkansas, reflecting national trends toward cremation and personalized memorials. In 2020, the cremation rate in Arkansas was approximately 35%, and it continues to rise. The state's reputation as "The Natural State" — with its exceptional outdoor landscapes — makes it a compelling setting for meaningful ash scattering ceremonies.

Arkansas's geography is remarkably varied and beautiful. The Ozark Mountains in the northwest rise above forested plateaus, crystalline spring-fed streams, and dramatic limestone bluffs. The Ouachita Mountains in the west-central region are the only major east-west mountain range in the United States, with Mount Magazine reaching 2,753 feet — the highest point in the state. The Arkansas River flows 1,469 miles from Colorado through the state, past Fort Smith and Little Rock, to its confluence with the Mississippi. The Buffalo National River was the first federally designated national river in the United States — a pristine, undammed stretch of 135 miles through limestone bluffs and hardwood forests. Hot Springs National Park, the oldest area in the National Park System (established 1832), draws thousands to its thermal springs and wooded trails. The Delta region of eastern Arkansas flanks the Mississippi River with rich lowlands, wetlands, and the Mississippi Flyway — one of the great North American bird migration corridors. Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro is the world's only diamond-producing site open to the public — a fitting location given Arkansas's status as the only state where diamonds are found in their natural environment.

Arkansas Laws on Scattering Ashes

Arkansas has few restrictions on where families may keep or scatter ashes. The key statutory and regulatory framework:

  • Ark. Code § 20-18-601 — A death certificate must be filed within 10 days of death or discovery of the body.
  • Ark. Code R. § 003.22.1-6 (2024) — If ashes are not claimed or instructions provided within 90 days of cremation, the person in possession may dispose of them in any manner permitted by law.
  • 17 CAR § 30-209 — The Arkansas Code of State Regulations specifically governs disposition of cremated remains:
    • Scattering over uninhabited public lands, the sea, or other public waterways is expressly authorized.
    • Scattering in a designated cemetery scattering garden is expressly authorized.
    • Scattering on private property requires the written consent of the property owner.
    • Cremated remains must be reduced to a particle size of 1/8 inch or less before scattering.
    • Scattering may be performed from a boat or airplane; remains must be removed from any closed container before release.
    • Commingling remains of different persons without written consent is prohibited (with exceptions for cemetery scattering areas and family members).
  • Ark. Code § 23-61-1107 — Cremation must be performed only at a licensed crematorium; crematories may not contract directly with the public — a funeral director must be involved.

Rules by location type:

  • Private Property: Authorized. Written consent of the property owner is required under 17 CAR § 30-209 if the property is not yours.
  • City and County Parks: No statewide prohibition. Check local ordinances before scattering. Use discretion and keep ashes well away from trails, restrooms, and picnic areas.
  • Arkansas State Parks: Contact the specific Arkansas State Parks district office before any scattering ceremony. Arkansas State Parks manages 52 parks across the state; individual park superintendents can advise on permits or permissions.
  • Buffalo National River: Contact the Buffalo National River superintendent at (870) 439-2502 or via nps.gov/buff before any ceremony. NPS regulations (36 CFR 2.62) require a permit or letter of authorization.
  • Hot Springs National Park: Contact the park at (501) 620-6715 or nps.gov/hosp. Scattering in the historic bathhouses or on developed areas is not permitted.
  • Ozark National Forest and Ouachita National Forest: The U.S. Forest Service has no formal prohibition on private individual scattering but does not formally authorize it. For commercial scattering services, a special-use permit is required. Contact the relevant ranger district.
  • Arkansas River and other inland waterways: The federal Clean Water Act governs inland water scattering. Contact the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) for guidance on specific waterways.
  • Aerial Scattering: No Arkansas state law restricts aerial scattering. Federal aviation regulations (14 CFR 91.15) prohibit dropping objects that could harm people or property — ashes without a container are fine. The 1/8-inch size requirement under 17 CAR § 30-209 applies.

Cemetery Scattering Gardens and Cremation Memorial Options in Arkansas

Pinecrest Memorial Park — Alexander (Central Arkansas)

Location: 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, AR 72002 Phone: (501) 847-0265

Pinecrest Memorial Park is one of Arkansas's most historic and comprehensive memorial parks — a 220-acre cemetery founded in 1929 by John C. Thomas Sr. and located at the geographical center of the state. Originally a dairy farm, the grounds have been transformed into a breathtaking park landscape of gently rolling lawns, winding pathways, mature trees, a small pond, and diverse wildlife. Pinecrest comprises 22 dedicated gardens, including cremation gardens, lawn crypts, family estate gardens, mausoleums, and numerous feature gardens — many enhanced by hand-carved sculptures imported from Carrara, Italy. The Veterans Field of Honor features two dedicated gardens and a statue honoring all four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, with American flags proudly displayed on Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Veterans Day.

Pinecrest's cremation gardens offer a variety of memorialization options for families choosing cremation — from in-ground cremation burial to columbarium niches. The funeral home on the grounds is a 14,000-square-foot facility with a reunion room, reception hall, and outdoor kitchen and patio, designed for personalized celebrations of life. Contact the Pinecrest team at (501) 847-0265 to inquire about current cremation garden and scattering options.

Website: dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/arkansas/alexander/pinecrest-funeral-home/8924

Forest Hills Memorial Park — Alexander (Southwest Pulaski / Saline County)

Location: 10200 Highway 5 N, Alexander, AR 72002 Phone: (501) 455-1067

Forest Hills Memorial Park is a beautifully maintained 165-acre memorial park serving southwest Pulaski and Saline counties — established in 1952 and now a member of the Dignity Memorial® network. The cemetery's grounds are known for their serene, park-like atmosphere: manicured lawns, tranquil surroundings, and a range of memorial options designed to give families a meaningful place to gather, reflect, and remember.

Forest Hills Memorial Park's primary website explicitly confirms its Garden of Angels cremation garden — featuring memorial benches, private family estates, companion plots, and columbaria set throughout the landscaped cremation garden area. The cemetery offers a wide range of burial and cremation choices: lawn crypts, mausoleums, in-ground burials with flat or upright monuments, and cremation memorialization throughout the Garden of Angels. Contact Forest Hills at (501) 455-1067 to discuss cremation garden placement, scattering options, and any current availability.

Website: dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/alexander-ar/forest-hills-cemetery/9859

Fayetteville National Cemetery — Fayetteville (Northwest Arkansas)

Location: 1000 S. Lt. Col. Leroy Pond Ave., Fayetteville, AR 72701 Phone: (479) 442-2566 Scheduling: National Cemetery Scheduling Office — (800) 535-1117

⚠️ Veterans and Eligible Family Members Only. Fayetteville National Cemetery is a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs national cemetery with strict eligibility requirements. It is not open to the general public for burial. Please confirm eligibility before planning arrangements.

Fayetteville National Cemetery is Arkansas's most historically significant military cemetery — a 15-acre VA national cemetery established in 1867 to inter Union soldiers disinterred from the battlefields of Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, and Elk Horn Tavern. The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Civil War Discovery Trail. Over 11,000 veterans and family members are interred here, representing conflicts from the Civil War through modern military engagements. Notable burials include Medal of Honor recipient Clarence B. Craft and Ozarks folklorist Vance Randolph.

The VA confirms that Fayetteville National Cemetery has space available for both casketed and cremated remains, including in-ground cremation gravesites and columbarium niches. Eligibility is limited to veterans who met minimum active duty requirements and were discharged under other than dishonorable conditions, plus their qualifying spouses, widows, widowers, and dependent children. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117 to confirm eligibility and begin arrangements.

Website: cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/Fayetteville.asp

Are There Mail-In Options for Ash Scattering Services?

Yes. Arkansas families — or families anywhere honoring a loved one — may choose Farmstead Scattering Garden in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania. Cremated remains are mailed directly to the working farm, where they are scattered respectfully according to the family's chosen preferences. No travel required.

Visit our service page at farmsteadscattering.com/collections/services, or call or text us at (814) 450-5432 to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions About Scattering Ashes in Arkansas

Is it legal to scatter ashes in Arkansas?

Yes. Arkansas has few restrictions on scattering cremated remains. Under 17 CAR § 30-209, scattering is expressly authorized over uninhabited public lands, in cemetery scattering gardens, and on private property with the written consent of the landowner. A death certificate must be filed within 10 days (Ark. Code § 20-18-601), and cremation must be arranged through a licensed funeral director and crematory.

Are there particle-size requirements for scattering in Arkansas?

Yes — uniquely, Arkansas state regulation (17 CAR § 30-209) specifically requires that cremated remains be reduced to a particle size of 1/8 inch or less before scattering. This is handled during the cremation process by most licensed crematories. Confirm with your funeral director that remains meet this requirement before any scattering ceremony.

Can I scatter ashes along the Arkansas River?

No Arkansas state law prohibits scattering in the Arkansas River, but the federal Clean Water Act governs inland waterway scattering. Contact the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) and any relevant local authority before scattering. The 1/8-inch particle size requirement and the prohibition on commingling remains without consent also apply.

Can I scatter ashes in the Buffalo National River Wilderness?

The Buffalo National River is federally managed by the National Park Service. NPS regulations require advance contact with the park superintendent and a permit or letter of authorization before any scattering ceremony. Contact Buffalo National River at (870) 439-2502 or visit nps.gov/buff.

Can I scatter ashes at Crater of Diamonds State Park?

Crater of Diamonds State Park is managed by Arkansas State Parks. Contact the park office before any scattering ceremony; individual state parks may have specific policies. Reach Arkansas State Parks at arkansasstateparks.com.

Does Arkansas require written permission to scatter on private land?

Yes. Under 17 CAR § 30-209, scattering on private property other than dedicated cemetery property requires the written consent of the property owner. The authorizing agent must provide this documentation to the disposition authority.

What are Arkansas's state gem, rock, and mineral?

All three were designated in 1967. The diamond is the state gem (A.C.A. § 1-4-126) — Arkansas is the only state where natural diamonds are found in their original volcanic matrix, at Crater of Diamonds State Park near Murfreesboro. Bauxite is the state rock (A.C.A. § 1-4-126) — honoring Arkansas's once-dominant bauxite (aluminum ore) mining industry, centered around Saline County. Quartz crystal is the state mineral (A.C.A. § 1-4-126) — Arkansas produces more natural quartz crystal than any other state, mined primarily in the Ouachita Mountains of Garland and Montgomery counties.

Is Fayetteville National Cemetery open to everyone?

No. Fayetteville National Cemetery is restricted to eligible veterans, their qualifying spouses, widows, widowers, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities. Contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at (800) 535-1117.

Can I mail ashes for scattering from Arkansas?

Yes. Cremated remains may be legally mailed within the United States via the U.S. Postal Service using Priority Mail Express. Farmstead Scattering Garden in Cambridge Springs, Pennsylvania accepts mail-in remains for private farm scattering. Call or text (814) 450-5432 or visit farmsteadscattering.com.

Legal and Regulatory References

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