Am I allowed to scatter ashes over the sea in Denmark?
Yes — you may scatter ashes over the open sea if the deceased wished it in writing. Under Burial Act §3 ashes can be scattered over the open sea and over larger fjords or bays open to the sea, and open sea is understood in practice as at least 200 metres from the coast. As a main rule there must be a written declaration with the deceased's name, address, CPR number and signature, and a wish expressed after the age of 15 is binding. It has been free since 2009, when the requirement for a ministry permit was abolished — many still think they have to apply and pay. Ashes may not be scattered on land, in lakes or streams, and the urn may not be sunk: only loose ashes may be scattered.
📋 The rules
- Ashes may be scattered over the open sea and larger fjords
- Open sea in practice: at least 200 metres from the coast
- Requires a written declaration from the deceased
- It has been free since 2009
- Not on land, in lakes or streams
🔓 Exceptions
- The written-declaration requirement can be waived if the wish is beyond doubt
- The ashes can be divided between the sea and a churchyard via the diocese
- The bishop can in special cases allow another dignified way
⚠️ Penalties & fines
The Burial Act sets no fine for scattering ashes. The sanction is practical rather than financial: without a written declaration — or a wish that is beyond any doubt — there is no legal basis for scattering the ashes, so the scattering cannot lawfully go ahead. Scattering ashes on land, in a lake or a stream, or keeping the urn at home, breaches the rules even though the law sets no explicit penalty. To divide the ashes between the sea and a churchyard you must go through the diocese, and only the bishop can allow another dignified way.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
Can I scatter ashes over the sea?
Yes, over the open sea and over larger fjords or bays open to the sea, if the deceased wished it in writing. It has been free since 2009, and you need neither a permit nor to pay a fee for it.
Where can the ashes be scattered?
Over the open sea and larger fjords or bays open to the sea, in practice at least 200 metres from the coast. Ashes may not be scattered on land, in lakes or streams, and the urn may not be sunk — only loose ashes.
Must there be a written declaration?
As a main rule yes, with the deceased's name, address, CPR number and signature. The requirement can be waived if the wish is beyond any doubt, and a wish expressed after the age of 15 is binding.
Does scattering ashes cost anything?
No, it has been free since 2009, when the requirement for a ministry permit was abolished. Many still think they have to apply and pay, but there is neither an application nor a fee for scattering ashes.
Can I scatter ashes in the garden?
No. Ashes may not be scattered on land, in lakes or streams, only over the open sea and larger fjords. The urn may not be sunk or kept at home either — that breaches the rules, though the law sets no fine.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “can I scatter ashes sea denmark”
- “scattering ashes open sea”
- “scattering ashes written declaration”
- “scattering ashes free”
- “ashes not on land”
- “burial act scattering ashes”