Why Aerial Scattering
Cremation rates are rising across the country and will outpace traditional funeral services in the coming years. As a result, many families are choosing cremation for the first time and may not realize the many options on what they can do with the remains of their loved one. Some families may have remains from generations past packed away in a closet or garage.
Aerial scattering can provide a beautiful setting for your family to celebrate the life of your loved one. Scattering from an aircraft is a graceful, dignified tribute to a life well lived by which the ashes are completely released across the sky, sending your loved one on their eternal flight. Witnessing the plume from a ground-based vantage point is a beautiful experience. Most appreciate the peace it brings, especially if the scattering is over a location that held special significance to the family. Aerial scattering often fulfills a last wish and is environmentally friendly and legal in Texas.It is also a practical alternative to safeguarding remains at home from natural disasters, accidents and other issues related to our busy lives.
Why Texas Air Scatterings
Texas Air Scatterings is a family business of professional aviators who are passionate about flying and creating a lasting memory for your family. Our experience spans across the aviation industry and we are fortunate to have flown many types of aircraft. Of our many experiences, scattering flights are by far the most rewarding flying we do. We enjoy the opportunity to create a special moment for a family by doing something we love.
Flying is the easy part. We also take great pride in treating your loved one’s remains with care and respect. We securely keep the remains in the container you provide until immediately prior to the scattering flight. We then transfer them into a clean container that is sealed until it is time to scatter. We do not comingle remains.
Scattering the cremated remains of your loved one is a serious responsibility. We developed a system that prevents any remains from entering the cockpit or touching the exterior of the aircraft. You only get one chance to perform a scattering. You need to trust the people you choose to perform the scattering know how to do it without creating a serious safety issue or a profoundly embarrassing moment. With Texas Air Scatterings, you can trust our family of professional aviators to perform your scattering with the honor and respect your family deserves.
who we are
The Gregory family has three generations of pilots with a passion for flying. Our experience spans across the aviation industry to include military, law enforcement, airline, corporate and historic aircraft flying, as well as technical work in the aviation support industry. We have worked closely with the FAA along with the air show and warbird communities for decades. We love to fly and bring years of professional experience to serve your family.
Texas Air Scatterings operates primarily in the Houston area; however, we can perform a scattering at a location of your choice. Price will vary by distance and other logistical variables. Keep in mind that we must receive permission from the landowner before we can scatter over private property. Please feel free to contact us to discuss the many options for your scattering.
How does it work
- Select the type of scattering service that fits your needs.
- Choose any additional services.
- Fill out the authorization and release forms.
- Ship the remains with the authorization and release forms. We can also pick up remains from most Houston area funeral homes.
- We coordinate a witnessed scattering with you or we perform a timely unwitnessed scattering.
- We send you a certificate with the time and location of the scattering.
Prices
Legacy Gathering $800
A witnessed scattering that offers a place for family and friends to gather as we fly by and scatter. It is a moving tribute for your loved one. The Legacy Gathering requires some advanced planning for scheduling for both TAS pilots and your family, but the results are worth the effort. We have a few additional services that may enhance your experience for this option. We are happy to provide more information as you plan your event.
Honor Flight $400
Our standard service featuring an unwitnessed scattering in the Houston/Galveston area. We have several locations over the Galveston Bay complex and other land areas we can use for these scatterings.
Custom locations – Price by request
– We are happy to travel outside of the Houston area to perform a scattering for your family. Obviously, distance is a primary factor for calculating our price. Contact us to discuss the many options with you to fulfill this special service for your loved one.
Additional Services
We offer an onboard video of your scattering.
$100Rose petals accompany the cremated remains during the scattering. It provides an increased visual effect especially for a witnessed scattering.
$50We will ship the container that held the cremated remains of your loved one back to you.
$40We are happy to read any special messages or scripture during the scattering process. Please send us the exact text you would like us to say. We are not ministers, but will gladly speak your words of comfort and peace for your loved one.
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Texas Air Scatterings offers pet scatterings as well. Our pet scattering service includes dogs, cats or other similarly sized animals. Pricing for large animals such as horses is available by request.
Starts at $50FAQ
Texas Air Scatterings is located in the Houston, TX area. Our pricing is for locations within a 50-mile radius from our base south of downtown Houston. We are happy to fly to locations outside of our area and can provide a quote to serve your requested location. Pricing is dependent on distance and other logistical issues. Contact us to discuss your specific location request.
We have to comply with a few regulations, but generally, in Texas, we can scatter over most public waterways and uninhabited public land. We must receive written permission from the landowner to scatter over private property, or the governing agency for federal land. Laws vary by state, so careful planning is required.
We do not allow passengers to accompany us on scattering flights, plus you cannot see the plume of ashes from the plane. Most people prefer watching us scatter from the ground during one of our Legacy Gatherings.
Absolutely. Contact us for more information on our Legacy Gathering. This is an excellent opportunity for family and friends to celebrate your loved one.
We will mail you a certificate of scattering that specifies the date, time, and exact location of your scattering. We can also call or email you to confirm the scattering per your request.
Your funeral director can deliver the cremated remains to us, and we offer limited pick up from you or a funeral home in the Houston area. You may ship them in authorized packaging via U.S. Postal Service in a “sift proof” container via certified/priority mail with a return receipt requested. The package must be marked as “cremated remains”. You can only ship remains through the U.S. Post Office as UPS and FedEx do not ship remains. See the U.S. Postal Service bulletin with detailed instructions here.
Yes. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) determined that aerial scattering of ashes has no significant impact on the environment.
We can contact you by phone prior to and following the release at your request. Additionally, a certificate documenting the date, time and location of the release will be mailed to you for your records. We will make every reasonable effort to scatter your remains within 30-60 days of receipt. Weather and aircraft maintenance issues will determine our scattering schedule.
Absolutely not! We transfer the remains immediately prior to the scattering flight to an individual container and seal it until the actual scattering. We wash all containers after completion of the scattering flight. We take great care during the process to handle your loved ones remains with dignity and respect. We all have lost family members and friends, and we are dedicated to treating the remains of your loved one in a respectful manner.
Yes. We offer a video for you to purchase.
Yes. We will read whatever text you wish during the scattering word for word. You must provide us with the exact text you want us to say. We are not ministers or serve as clergy, but we are happy to comply with your wish.
Scattering remains by airplane is not easy as many pilots can attest. Too many well-meaning pilots have returned covered in ashes from a failed scattering attempt. We developed our own system that prevents any remains from coming back into the cockpit or touching the exterior of the aircraft. We take great care during the scattering process to insure the remains are completely scattered.
Certainly. It is one of our additional services. Let us know your wishes.
Yes. We treat the scattering of pet cremated remains with the same dignity and grace as human scatterings.
FAA regulations require that the pilot remain a minimum of 500 feet above obstacles, a minimum of 1,000 feet in densely populated areas, and at least 2,000 feet above National Forests. We usually fly in the 1,000-3,000 foot range depending on the mission.
Our Honor Flight service costs $400 and is an unwitnessed scattering that we perform at several locations in the Houston area. Our Legacy Gathering is a witnessed scattering that starts at $800 for a beach scattering in Galveston or at other locations within 50 miles of the Houston area. We offer services outside of the Houston area at a custom location of your choosing. Price varies by distance and other logistical issues specific to your needs. Call us for a consultation so we can develop a price based on your specific needs and wishes.
Yes! Many people have the ashes of loved ones at home. Some occupy an integral part of their personal space, others are stored away in a closet, attic or garage. You may have “inherited” the ashes and are unsure of what to do with them. Aerial scattering is a respectful and environmentally smart way to memorialize your loved ones.
Maybe aerial scattering is not for you. We suggest that you consult your clergy, friends and family during these difficult times as they may have experiences that can provide clarity and ease your concerns. You do not have to scatter all of the remains and may keep as much as you wish. Scattering is a final disposition of the remains. We want you to have peace regarding your decision and will never pressure anyone into using our service.