Scattering Ashes in Wyoming — A Complete Guide

Everything Wyoming families need to know about ash scattering laws, designated scattering gardens, Yellowstone and Grand Teton permit requirements, BLM land guidelines, and cremation options in the Equality State.

Author's Note: Wyoming is still on my list of places to visit, but, oddly, the University of Wyoming was a hot spot for quite a grouping of my classmates out of high school. Once those students went to college in Wyoming, many of them chose to stay out west. I am certain the rodeo culture there helped!

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

  • State Flower: Indian Paintbrush 🌺
  • State Tree: Plains Cottonwood 🌳
  • State Bird: Western Meadowlark 🦜
  • State Gemstone: Jade 💎
  • State Songs: "Wyoming" (1955) and "Wyoming Where I Belong" (2018) 🎶
  • State Motto: "Equal Rights" ⚖️

How Prevalent Is Ash Scattering in Wyoming?

The practice of scattering ashes has become increasingly popular in Wyoming, reflecting a broader national trend toward cremation and personalized memorials. As of 2020, the cremation rate in Wyoming was approximately 72% — significantly higher than the national average — and it continues to grow. With this increase, more families are seeking meaningful and personalized ways to honor their loved ones, including scattering ashes in designated gardens, cemeteries, or natural locations.

Wyoming's vast landscapes make it one of the most sought-after states in the country for ash scattering. With roughly half the state managed as federal public land — including two of America's most iconic national parks, vast BLM tracts, and national forests — Wyoming families have an extraordinary range of options for returning loved ones to the land they cherished. Whether families choose a cemetery garden in Cheyenne or Laramie, the geothermal wilderness of Yellowstone, the jagged peaks of Grand Teton, or wide-open BLM rangeland, Wyoming offers deeply meaningful settings for final farewells.

Wyoming Laws on Scattering Ashes

Wyoming is one of the most permissive states in the country when it comes to ash scattering. Wyoming has no state laws controlling where cremated remains may be kept or scattered. The key statutes governing cremation and death in Wyoming are:

  • Wyo. Stat. § 35-1-418 — Death certificate must be filed with the local registrar within three days of death and before the body is removed from the state; burial-transit permit required before burial, cremation, or removal
  • Wyo. Stat. §§ 33-16-502, 33-16-510, and 33-16-530 through 33-16-536 — Govern cremation and chemical disposition (alkaline hydrolysis); no cremation may proceed until the burial-transit permit is received

Rules by location type:

  • Private Property: Freely permitted on your own land. Scattering on another person's private land requires the landowner's permission. Written permission is strongly recommended, particularly on ranch land where access arrangements should be clearly understood in advance.
  • BLM Land: Wyoming has some of the largest Bureau of Land Management holdings in the country. Individual, non-commercial scattering of cremated remains on BLM land is treated as casual use — no permit is required. Stay away from archaeological sites, developed facilities, and cultural resource areas. Contact the relevant BLM field office for guidance on any specific area.
  • Wyoming State Parks: Contact the specific state park office in advance. Wyoming State Parks may require a Special Use Permit for scattering, particularly when a group or planned ceremony is involved. Confirm before visiting.
  • Yellowstone National Park: A free permit is required. Submit the application to Yellowstone's Visitor and Resource Protection office at least 10 business days before the planned date. Print the confirmed webpage — it serves as your permit and must be carried at the scattering. Rules: no scattering in thermal areas (hot springs, geysers, fumaroles), no scattering near roads, parking lots, buildings, or campgrounds; cremains must be fully dispersed (no piles, no burial); no memorial items may be left behind. A ranger may be sent to meet you at the location. Contact: nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ashscattering.htm
  • Grand Teton National Park: A free permit is required. Submit the application to Grand Teton's Special Use Permit office at least two weeks before the planned date. The park evaluates each request individually. Rules: no drones; no markers or memorials left behind; no scattering within 100 yards of any flowing stream, river, or body of water. Contact: nps.gov/grte
  • National Forests (Bridger-Teton, Shoshone, Bighorn, Black Hills): National Forest lands are managed by the U.S. Forest Service — different rules apply than for national parks. Individual, non-commercial scattering is generally treated as casual use on most national forest lands; however, confirm with the relevant ranger district before visiting, particularly in wilderness areas or near water features.
  • Inland Waters (Rivers and Lakes): No Wyoming state law prohibits scattering in rivers or lakes. The federal Clean Water Act governs inland water scattering broadly. Use only biodegradable containers; no plastic, metal, or non-decomposable materials.
  • Aerial Scattering: No Wyoming state law restricts aerial scattering. Federal aviation regulations prohibit dropping any object (such as an urn or container) that could injure people or damage property — ashes must be removed from containers before release.

Ash Scattering Gardens and Cremation Memorial Options in Wyoming

Wyoming's small population means dedicated cemetery scattering gardens are less common than in larger states. Below are the verified cremation memorial options available across the state, along with a valuable resource for families scattering at Yellowstone.

Greenhill Cemetery — Historic Municipal Cemetery with Cremation Options

Location: 455 N. 15th St., Laramie, WY 82073 Phone: (307) 721-5267

Owned and operated by the City of Laramie, Greenhill Cemetery is one of Wyoming's oldest and most historically significant municipal cemeteries — established in 1881 on the high plains south of the Laramie Mountains. The cemetery consolidates the remains of earlier Laramie burial grounds, and its grounds hold the graves of many of the city's most prominent residents across more than a century of Wyoming history. The city maintains the cemetery year-round and offers cremation plot options alongside traditional burial services. Families interested specifically in scattering should contact the cemetery office directly at (307) 721-5267 to discuss current availability and policies, as the city's offerings evolve over time.

Website: cityoflaramie.org — Cemetery

Cheyenne Memorial Gardens — Cremation Garden, Back to Nature Memorials, and Memory Gardens

Location: 4701 Christensen Rd., Cheyenne, WY 82009 Phone: (307) 632-1900

Located east of Cheyenne on Highway 30 with sweeping views of the mountains, Cheyenne Memorial Gardens is Wyoming's capital city's most fully-featured cremation memorial destination. Operated by Wiederspahn-Radomsky Chapel of the Chimes, the cemetery offers a comprehensive range of cremation memorialization options confirmed directly on their website:

  • Back to Nature Memorials and Memory Gardens — natural-setting memorial options within the cemetery grounds
  • Outdoor columbarium niches — exterior niche inurnment with open-air setting
  • Indoor cabinet spaces — located in the historic Rugged Cross Chapel
  • New Cremation Garden — under construction as of 2024, with additional memorialization options being added

Cheyenne Memorial Gardens is maintained year-round and serves as the cemetery of choice for Cheyenne and Laramie County families. Families interested in Back to Nature Memorials, Memory Gardens, or the new Cremation Garden should contact the cemetery directly to discuss current availability, pricing, and whether scattering specifically is offered within these designated natural areas.

Website: wrcfuneral.com/cheyenne-memorial-gardens

Fir Ridge Cemetery — Natural Cemetery Near Yellowstone

Location: West Yellowstone, MT 59758 (just outside the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park)

For families planning to scatter ashes at Yellowstone National Park, Fir Ridge Cemetery in West Yellowstone, Montana — located just outside the park's west entrance — offers a meaningful complement: a natural, perpetual-care cemetery where a cremation plot starts at just $50 (approximately $15 for the plot plus $35 perpetual care fee). Fir Ridge is maintained by the Town of West Yellowstone and is a true perpetual care cemetery — meaning grounds maintenance is funded in perpetuity through the care fee, with no ongoing cost to families. For families who scatter ashes inside Yellowstone but also want a permanent, marked memorial nearby that can be revisited, Fir Ridge offers a low-cost, low-formality option that fits naturally with a Yellowstone scattering ceremony. Contact the Town of West Yellowstone for current pricing and availability.

Town of West Yellowstone: westyellowstone.org

Are There Mail-In Options for Ash Scattering Services?

Yes. Wyoming's wide-open spaces are a draw for many families — but for those who want a peaceful, pastoral memorial without the logistics of travel to a remote state, a mail-in ash scattering service offers a meaningful alternative.

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 Wyoming families who value wide-open natural landscapes and simplicity, Farmstead offers a lush, rolling-hills farm setting — accessible without any permitting requirements, travel arrangements, or weather-dependent planning.

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 Wyoming

Is it legal to scatter ashes in Wyoming?

Yes. Wyoming has no state laws controlling where cremated remains may be kept or scattered. The key requirements are: file the death certificate within three days of death (Wyo. Stat. § 35-1-418), obtain a burial-transit permit before cremation, and follow federal rules for any federal lands or waterways.

Do I need a permit to scatter ashes at Yellowstone?

Yes. A free permit is required. Contact Yellowstone's Visitor and Resource Protection office and submit your application at least 10 business days before your planned date. Printing the confirmed webpage serves as your permit — carry it with you. Scattering is prohibited in thermal areas, near roads, parking lots, buildings, and campgrounds. No piles, no burial, no memorial items left behind.

Do I need a permit to scatter ashes at Grand Teton?

Yes. A free permit is required. Apply at least two weeks in advance through Grand Teton's Special Use Permit office. No drones, no markers, no scattering within 100 yards of any flowing water. The park evaluates each application individually.

Can I scatter ashes on BLM land in Wyoming?

Generally yes — individual, non-commercial scattering on BLM land is treated as casual use and does not require a permit. Wyoming has extensive BLM holdings across the state. Contact the relevant BLM field office for guidance on any specific planned location, particularly near cultural or archaeological resources.

Can I scatter ashes in Wyoming rivers and lakes?

No Wyoming state law prohibits scattering in rivers or lakes. The federal Clean Water Act governs inland water scattering broadly — use only biodegradable containers, avoid concentrated deposits, and contact the relevant land manager for guidance on specific waterways, particularly within national park boundaries where additional restrictions apply (Grand Teton prohibits scattering within 100 yards of flowing water).

Can I scatter ashes in the Wind River Range, Bighorn Mountains, or other wilderness areas?

Wyoming's mountain wilderness areas are managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Bridger-Teton, Shoshone, Bighorn, Black Hills National Forests) and the BLM. Individual, non-commercial scattering in national forests is generally treated as casual use — contact the relevant ranger district for guidance. Designated Wilderness Areas within these forests may have additional considerations. For BLM lands, casual use applies as above.

What makes Yellowstone's thermal areas off-limits for scattering?

Yellowstone's hot springs, geysers, fumaroles, and mud pots are fragile, chemically unique ecosystems. The NPS prohibits scattering in thermal areas to protect their ecological integrity and to respect the cultural significance these sites hold for many Native American communities. Ashes must also be kept away from roads, parking lots, buildings, and campgrounds. A park ranger can help identify appropriate undeveloped locations.

Is there a cemetery near Yellowstone where I can also place a permanent memorial?

Yes. Fir Ridge Cemetery in West Yellowstone, Montana (just outside the park's west entrance) is a natural, perpetual care cemetery where cremation plots start at approximately $50. It offers a low-cost permanent memorial option that pairs naturally with a Yellowstone scattering ceremony — families can scatter ashes inside the park and establish a small marked memorial at Fir Ridge that can be revisited on future trips.

What if there is no scattering garden near me in Wyoming?

Wyoming's sparse population means dedicated scattering gardens are limited. Cheyenne Memorial Gardens (Back to Nature Memorials and the new Cremation Garden) is the most fully documented option in the state. For families in Casper, Gillette, Jackson, Sheridan, or other areas farther from Cheyenne, 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 Wyoming?

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 Wyoming?

A licensed funeral director must file the death certificate and obtain the burial-transit permit before cremation can proceed in Wyoming. 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 Wyoming?

Costs vary. Greenhill Cemetery and Cheyenne Memorial Gardens set their own pricing — contact each directly. Fir Ridge Cemetery near Yellowstone offers cremation plots starting at approximately $50. Mail-in services like Farmstead Scattering Garden offer flexible options. Call or text (814) 450-5432 for details.

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