Scattering Ashes in New Hampshire — A Complete Guide

Everything New Hampshire families need to know about ash scattering laws, designated scattering gardens, White Mountains guidelines, and cremation options in the Granite State.

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

  • State Flower: Purple Lilac 🌺
  • State Tree: White Birch 🌳
  • State Bird: Purple Finch 🐦
  • State Stone: Granite ⛏️
  • State Song: "Old New Hampshire" 🎶
  • State Motto: "Live Free or Die" ⚔️

How Prevalent Is Ash Scattering in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire has one of the highest cremation rates in the United States. In 2020, the cremation rate in New Hampshire was approximately 75% — well above the national average — and it continues to grow. With cremation so prevalent in the Granite State, more families are seeking meaningful ways to honor their loved ones, from dedicated cemetery scattering gardens to the mountain trails, rivers, and shoreline that define New Hampshire's identity.

New Hampshire is nicknamed both "The Granite State" and "The Mother of Rivers" — five of New England's great rivers originate in its mountains. That deep connection to natural landscapes makes New Hampshire one of the most meaningful states in the country for ash scattering. Whether families choose a cemetery garden in Manchester, Concord, or Nashua, the peaks of the White Mountains, the Lakes Region, or the brief but spectacular Atlantic shoreline, New Hampshire offers deeply personal settings for final farewells.

New Hampshire Laws on Scattering Ashes

New Hampshire is one of the most permissive states in the country when it comes to ash scattering. New Hampshire has no state laws controlling where cremated remains may be kept or scattered. Under New Hampshire law, cremation is legally considered final disposition and cremated remains are personal property. The key statutes are:

  • N.H. Rev. Stat. § 5-C:62 — Death record must be electronically filed within 36 hours of death and before burial or cremation
  • N.H. Rev. Stat. § 289:3 — Governs cemeteries and burial grounds; scattering gardens and memorial forests are defined under proposed legislation (HB1324) as specific locations for the lawful dispersal of cremated remains
  • N.H. Rev. Stat. § 289 — The broader cemetery law framework; scattering may be recorded only as a service that has taken place, without requiring an interment right or deed

Rules by location type:

  • Private Property: Freely permitted on your own land. Scattering on another person's private property — including corporate-owned venues like stadiums, golf clubs, and ski resorts — requires the property owner's permission. Written permission is strongly recommended.
  • Public Land (city and town): No statewide prohibition, but individual towns and cities may have local ordinances. Check with the relevant municipality before scattering in public parks or town-managed lands.
  • New Hampshire State Parks: Contact the specific state park office in advance. New Hampshire State Parks generally permit discreet, private scattering in undeveloped natural areas — confirm before visiting and avoid developed facilities, trailheads, and parking areas.
  • White Mountain National Forest: The White Mountain National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is not a national park. Forest headquarters have noted no specific rules regarding scattering in the forest, but it is treated as informal use — stay away from popular trails, campgrounds, roads, and water features. Contact the relevant ranger district for guidance on specific areas.
  • National Parks: New Hampshire has two primary national park units — Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park and the Appalachian National Scenic Trail corridor. Contact each unit's office for guidance.
  • Atlantic Coast: New Hampshire's coastline is only about 18 miles long but highly scenic. Ocean scattering must occur at least three nautical miles from shore under the federal Clean Water Act. EPA notification is required within 30 days. Scattering is not permitted on public beaches.
  • Inland Waters (Lakes, Rivers): The Clean Water Act governs scattering in inland waters. For major bodies of water like Lake Winnipesaukee, the Merrimack River, and others, contact the relevant state or local water management authority. Biodegradable containers only; no plastic, metal, or non-decomposable materials.
  • Aerial Scattering: No New Hampshire state law restricts aerial scattering. Federal aviation law requires that ashes be removed from their container before release — do not drop the urn itself.

Key statutes and resources:

Ash Scattering Gardens in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has several verified cemetery scattering gardens and memorial spaces — permanently maintained locations where families may scatter or inter cremated remains. Here are the confirmed options:

Pine Grove Cemetery — Scattering Garden

Location: 474 N. Mast Rd., Manchester, NH 03102 Phone: (603) 624-6514

Spanning approximately 275 acres, Pine Grove is Manchester's only active municipal cemetery — the largest and most historic cemetery in the state's most populous city. Established well over 150 years ago, the cemetery is a beautifully maintained park featuring mature trees, flowering plants, memorial benches, statues, and fountains. In addition to traditional burial plots and the historic City Mausoleum, Pine Grove offers cremation niches and a dedicated scattering garden among its internment options. As a city-operated cemetery open to all, Pine Grove is the most accessible verified scattering garden in the greater Manchester area.

Website: manchesternh.gov — Pine Grove Cemetery

Blossom Hill Cemetery — Scattering Garden Among Granite Outcroppings

Location: 207 N. State St., Concord, NH 03301 Phone: (603) 225-8690

Established in 1836 and operated by the City of Concord, Blossom Hill Cemetery is one of New Hampshire's most significant historic cemeteries — a 67-acre park in the state capital that serves as the final resting place for over 22,000 Concord residents, including Christa McAuliffe, the New Hampshire schoolteacher and NASA mission specialist who died in the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986. In a recent expansion at the western edge of the cemetery, a dedicated Scattering Garden was established among rocky granite outcroppings — a setting that could only be found in the Granite State, where the exposed bedrock creates a naturally New Hampshire memorial environment. The cemetery also includes a historic chapel, a Jewish section, and a variety of cremation options. This is one of New Hampshire's most beautifully documented and distinctive scattering gardens.

Website: concordnh.gov — Cemeteries

Nashua Cemetery Memorial Garden — Open to All

Location: Behind UU Church of Nashua, 58 Lowell St., Nashua, NH 03064 Phone: (603) 882-1091

The historic Nashua Cemetery, located behind the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua in the city's downtown, was originally developed in 1835 as the burial ground for the congregation's founding families. In September 2004, the cemetery dedicated a Memorial Garden specifically designed for both burial and scattering of cremated ashes — and, notably, this service is explicitly open to anyone, church member or not. The Memorial Garden is set within a historic urban cemetery that holds the remains of many of Nashua's most prominent families, and offers a quietly distinctive setting for families who prefer an accessible, historic downtown location. Note: The cemetery grounds are kept locked to protect fragile historic monuments; visitors should contact the church office in advance to arrange a time to visit at (603) 882-1091 or uucnoffice@uunashua.org.

Website: uunashua.org — Nashua Cemetery

Edgewood Cemetery — Cremation Interment

Location: 107 Amherst St., Nashua, NH 03064 Phone: (603) 880-3900

A City of Nashua municipal cemetery established more than a century ago, Edgewood Cemetery spans approximately 33 acres of scenic, park-like grounds at 107 Amherst Street. The cemetery offers traditional burial spaces as well as cremation lots for the interment of cremated remains, with options for monuments or flat markers. Edgewood's well-maintained grounds feature mature maples, oaks, and evergreens alongside historic monuments and cultivated flower beds. Families interested specifically in scattering options should contact the cemetery office directly to discuss what is currently permitted, as individual municipal cemetery policies evolve over time.

Website: nashuanh.gov — Edgewood Cemetery

Are There Mail-In Options for Ash Scattering Services?

Yes. Families who prefer a peaceful, rural setting without travel — or who want a meaningful alternative to New Hampshire's cemetery options — may choose a mail-in ash scattering service.

Farmstead Scattering Garden is located on a working farm in northwestern Pennsylvania and offers a private, customizable mail-in experience. Cremated remains are mailed directly to the farm, where the scattering is carried out respectfully according to the options selected by the family. For New Hampshire families who value natural, open landscapes, Farmstead offers a lush, rolling-hills farm setting — a serene pastoral complement to New Hampshire's own granite-and-forest beauty — accessible without any permitting requirements or travel.

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 New Hampshire

Is it legal to scatter ashes in New Hampshire?

Yes. New Hampshire has no state laws controlling where cremated remains may be kept or scattered. Once remains are in the family's possession, common-sense guidelines apply: get permission on private land, check local ordinances for public land, and contact managing agencies for state parks and federal lands.

Can I scatter ashes in the White Mountains?

The White Mountain National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is not a national park. No specific rules prohibit scattering in the forest, but it is treated as informal use — stay well away from trails, campgrounds, roads, and waterways. Contact the White Mountain National Forest's Androscoggin, Ammonoosuc, Pemigewasset, or Saco Ranger Districts for guidance on specific planned locations.

Can I scatter ashes at Franconia Notch, Mount Washington, or other state parks?

Contact the specific state park's office in advance. New Hampshire State Parks generally permit discreet, private scattering in undeveloped natural areas, but each park has its own management considerations. Franconia Notch State Park and Mount Washington State Park are two of the most requested locations — contact each directly before visiting.

Can I scatter ashes in Lake Winnipesaukee or other New Hampshire lakes?

No specific New Hampshire state law prohibits scattering in inland lakes. However, the Clean Water Act governs inland waters, and contacting the relevant local authority is advisable. Use only biodegradable containers or scatter directly into the water; no plastic, metal, or non-decomposable items.

Can I scatter ashes at the Atlantic coast?

New Hampshire's 18-mile coastline is limited but beloved. Ocean scattering must occur at least three nautical miles from shore, with EPA notification within 30 days. No scattering on public beaches. Licensed sea scattering services operate out of Portsmouth, Hampton, and Seabrook — New England Burials at Sea is a well-known provider in this area.

Is the Nashua Cemetery scattering garden open to non-church members?

Yes. The UU Church of Nashua's cemetery Memorial Garden explicitly states that both burial and scattering of cremated ashes are open to anyone, regardless of church membership. Contact the church office in advance to arrange access, as the cemetery is kept locked to protect its historic monuments.

What makes Blossom Hill Cemetery's scattering garden distinctive?

Blossom Hill's scattering garden is set among natural rocky granite outcroppings — a feature that is uniquely and authentically New Hampshire. It's one of the few scattering gardens in the region that incorporates the state's defining geological character into the memorial setting.

What if there is no scattering garden near me in New Hampshire?

Pine Grove Cemetery (Manchester) and Blossom Hill Cemetery (Concord) are two of the state's most clearly verified scattering gardens, serving southern and central New Hampshire. For families in the North Country, the Lakes Region, the Seacoast, or other areas farther from these cities, Farmstead Scattering Garden in northwestern Pennsylvania accepts cremated remains by mail and carries out the scattering on a private working farm. Call or text (814) 450-5432 for more information.

Can I mail ashes for scattering if I live in New Hampshire?

Yes. Cremated remains may be legally mailed within the United States via the U.S. Postal Service using Priority Mail Express — the only domestic carrier federally permitted to transport cremated remains. Remains must be properly packaged and labeled. Farmstead Scattering Garden can walk you through the mailing process when you contact us.

Is a funeral home required to scatter ashes in New Hampshire?

A licensed funeral director must file the death record and oversee the cremation process in New Hampshire. Once cremated remains are in the family's custody, no funeral home is required for the actual scattering.

How much does ash scattering cost in New Hampshire?

Costs vary by provider. Pine Grove, Blossom Hill, and Edgewood are all municipal cemeteries — contact each office directly for current rates. The Nashua Cemetery Memorial Garden should be contacted directly through the UU Church office. Mail-in services like Farmstead Scattering Garden offer flexible options. Call or text (814) 450-5432 for details.

Legal and Regulatory References

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