GovWire

This regulatory position statement (RPS) does not change your legal requirement to have an environmental permit for a waste operation when you scatter or bury pet ash at a pet cemetery.

However, the Environment Agency will not normally take enforcement action if you do not comply with this legal requirement if you meet the requirements in the RPS.

The regulatory position does not apply to any other legal requirements.

Ashes from a single pet cremation

You do not need permission to scatter or bury ashes from a single pet cremation on your own land, or make any formal record of doing so. You should get permission from the landowner if you want to scatter or bury ashes on someone elses land.

If you scatter ashes across surface waters, such as a river, you should:

• make sure the effect on the environment and wildlife is minimal and it will not affect other watercourse users
• not scatter any memorabilia or other items, as they may harm the environment and wildlife