Can I scatter the ashes of a non-Catholic at his favorite fishing hole?

[cmreal]

I have a loved one who died and would like his ashes spread at a favorite fishing hole. He was not Catholic but I am. I know the Church now allows cremation, but I am not sure if the Church agrees with the spreading of his ashes by me. Could you please give me some thoughts or directions on this topic?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The Church allows for cremation, but considers the spreading (or scattering) of human cremains to be undignified treatment of the human body, whether or not the deceased was Catholic. The ashes should be buried in a suitable container, either in a ground plot or in a body of water. If it is allowed by the municipality where the fishing hole is located, you could either bury the container with the cremains in a plot near the fishing hole (which can also be blessed by a priest), or you can “bury” the container in the fishing hole itself. But you cannot keep the cremains in your own possession or scatter them as if they were of no importance.