FAQ

NW Ash Scattering Services by Out Of The Blue Aviation

Some feel that when ashes are scattered by air there is a freedom that is expressed that can not be attained in any other way. 

Why have a memorial service by air?

Our aircraft, building and pilots are insured.  We will treat your loved ones with respect and scatter their ashes in a loving and professional way.

There are rules that apply.  The scattering of cremated remains on state and federal public lands is permitted on National Parks after receiving permission from the Chief Park Ranger, and on State Trust Uplands after receiving permission from the regional manager.  We are also allowed to scatter cremains on public navigable waters under state control.  The public navigable water including the Puget Sound, the Pacific Ocean within the-three mile limit, rivers, streams and lakes.  Scattering of cremated remains on private land is permitted with the permission of the landowner.  We take care of all the permits required.

We always send a certificate within 1 week of the scattering.  The ceritificate will include the time, date, location, and coordinates of where the ashes have been scattered.  If you request not to have notification, that is fine too. 

How will I know when the memorial scattering mission has been completed?

Are there  rules about where ashes can be scattered?

Do you have some sort of guarantee?

Out Of The Blue Aviation

18306 59th Dr NE

Arlington, WA 98223

Yes it is legal and you will be sending the cremated remains of your loved one to us.  When you decide to mail ashes to us, we recommend you package them properly in a good secure cardboard box. When mailing them via the USPS, declare them as human remains. They are handled differently and sent as "Priority Mail". We are also required to show identification to pick up the package. FedEx and UPS do not want you to ship cremains with them so please only use the United States Postal Service, USPS. We are not responsible for lost packages, so it's important for you to send them securely. If you're in the Seattle area, you may drop them off to us in person.

Is it legal to send ashes in the mail?

Many people have multiple places that are important to them.  If you would like to scatter your loved ones ashes in multiple places we would be happy to assist in that.  You are welcome to send us just a portion of the ashes to use for aerial scattering. If you are sending the cremains to us, please do so using the USPS and stating that the box contains human cremains.  The Post Office treats these packages with a high level of priority and we must sign for the package in front a Postal Employee as well as show them a photo ID.

Yes, in most cases we are able to drop some flowers at the same time as the ashes.

If you would like pictures from the flight please let us know ahead of time and we will bring our camera along.  We will then put the pictures on a CD and include it with your certificate for a small nominal fee.

If you have a special date we will do our very best to fly on that date.  That being said, there are a few days here in the Pacific Northwest that with is simply not safe to fly small airplanes.  If we receive the cremains via mail we will call you to arrange specifics.

When will you be performing the flight?

Can I have a photograph of the area that you scattered the ashes?

Will you also drop some flowers along with the ashes?

Do I just send you some of the cremains?

We have developed a  method for neatly and efficiently releasing the ashes from the aircraft into the open sky.

How does aerial ash scattering work?