Drone ash scatterings gain popularity in Denmark

A company in Aalborg is seeing growing demand for drone ash scatterings over the sea and fjords, including from customers abroad, DR reports. Air Funeral says more people are looking for a personal and distinctive farewell.

The company carried out 33 drone ash scatterings in 2025 and has completed 35 so far this year. It expects the total to reach 50 by the end of the year, managing director Jan Astrup Bertelsen said.

Air Funeral has also heard from people in Asia, Germany and England who have a connection to Denmark. Families choose a beach or another location, often somewhere meaningful to the deceased, such as a summer house, a favourite natural area or a place where they enjoyed sailing.

Once the urn is ready for collection from the crematorium, the family receives it from a funeral director or the crematorium and brings it to the agreed location. They hand it to the drone operators, who fly out and scatter the ashes. The ceremony can also be followed online if relatives cannot attend in person. Scatterings take place over the sea where permitted by current rules.

Bertelsen said some couples want their ashes scattered in the same place, while others prefer different locations. His own parents both chose burial at sea but wanted their ashes scattered in separate places.