Am I allowed to scatter a deceased person's ashes in nature in Norway?
Yes — you can scatter ashes in nature, but you must have permission from the County Governor in advance. Under the Burial Act §20 the county governor can grant permission for ash scattering. Ashes can be scattered over open sea, and in mountains, lakes and rivers of a desolate character, but not near beaches, cabins, settlements or areas of heavy recreation. You must be 15 to apply for scattering your own ashes, and parents can apply for a child under 18. No gravestone with a name is set, and the ashes cannot be divided. No fee is charged for the application.
📋 The rules
- Requires permission from the County Governor in advance
- Allowed over open sea and in desolate nature
- Not near beaches, cabins or settlements
- You must be 15 to apply for yourself
- No named gravestone, and the ashes cannot be divided
🔓 Exceptions
- Relatives can scatter the ashes if the deceased's wish is documented
- Parents can apply for a child under 18
- A private burial site is granted only in special cases of public interest
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Scattering ashes without permission breaches the Burial Act. Permission from the County Governor is a prerequisite for ash scattering.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I scatter a deceased person's ashes in nature?
Yes, with permission from the County Governor. Ashes can be scattered over open sea and in desolate nature.
Where can the ashes be scattered?
Over open sea, and in mountains, lakes and rivers of a desolate character, but not near beaches, cabins or settlements.
How old must I be to apply?
You must be 15 to apply for scattering your own ashes. Parents can apply for a child under 18.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No, no fee is charged for the ash-scattering application to the County Governor.
Can I set up a gravestone?
No. With ash scattering no named gravestone is set, and the ashes cannot be divided.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I scatter ashes nature norway”
- “ash scattering county governor”
- “scatter ashes open sea”
- “ash scattering age 15”
- “ashes not near cabins”
- “burial act ash scattering”