Going to be flamed but just asking

[swinglowsweetchariot12]

My mum died a few weeks ago, she always wanted her ashes scattered in Devon on a special date coming up soon and wondered if it would class as an essential visit or would we get risking a fine. We are travelling an hour and a half away.

Please be kind I've just lost my mum and want to carry out her wishes

I think you may find Devon police less than sympathetic as Devon is one of the areas that is still going up in numbers.
Wait until next year, there are several people I know who are also waiting.

Harsh as it may seem it’s not essential and I am sure your mum would understand you can’t do it

I’d do it and risk a fine, which probably won’t happen.

I wish I’d known what my DM would have liked. She’s still sitting on a shelf in my house over 5 years later. My dbro has my DF somewhere - he died long before DM. I know of a really nice place to scatter them together but another sibling can’t agree - while failing to suggest anywhere else suitable!

I'd do it, with no doubt. If you were to be stopped, which again I doubt, I would be very surprised if they fined you under the circumstances. Can you imagine the headlines!

Fuck the fine. I'd do it for my mum without a doubt.

I absolutely can’t fathom the thinking of a police officer who would make you go back on the grounds that it’s ‘inessential’.

But then I’m Irish and we have a rather different view on both burial rituals and policing.

OP, bear in mind that the Covid Marshalls on here have a rep for erring in the zealous side. I wouldn’t think the responses you are getting are representative.

I would do it - sorry for your loss xx

1. highly unlikely you will be stopped by police
2. highly unlikely they would fine you
3. it's £100 - if you get fined I will hand on heart pay you £100.

I would wait. I really wouldn’t want the occasion overshadowed by fines or just the worry of getting into a confrontation about it. I would want it to be peaceful and focussed on remembering my mum.

£100 each, and yes the police are cracking down. The people who live on Dartmoor (not me) seem to be set against anyone who doesn’t live within the national park boundary being up there at all. Depends on the site you want to use but if it’s a well known beauty spot I’d wait.

I wouldn't. I don't consider it essential. I'd leave it until new to year and make a bit of a weekend of it. There'd be no pressure and no worry.

I would do it. We travelled two hours to my grandma's funeral today and we weren't stopped. I did wonder how I would prove I was going to a funeral if we were but decided not to worry about it. Going and coming back in one day is fine I think

Just to warn you we got pulled over by flashing blue lights last week when driving in that area to my mum’s funeral. Police on dual carriageway traced our number plate to home (150 miles away).

We didn’t get fined as we had funeral clothes on (and I had evidence in my bag just in case).

Sorry for your loss. It’s hard isn’t it

But just to warn you that might happen to you.

So sorry for your loss. Could you keep you mums ashes and scatter then next year.

To those saying do it and risk the fine, and especially to the poster who said they’d pay the fine for you.

If you get stopped, and fined, you won’t be able to continue with your plans to scatter your mum’s ashes. The police aren’t just going to fine you and let you continue what you’re doing.

If you want to take the risk of the fine, do it. But that isnt the only risk you are taking. You are taking the risk of the reason behind the (possible) fine.

It's outdoors, so pretty safe. I don't think anyone with any humanity would judge you for going ahead. It sounds like it's legal anyway. But you may want to ring the police before hand for peace of mind? I hope you make whichever decision gives you the most peace x

I’d do it.
It’s essential because it is essential to you.

It's a fine max I would do it.

Sorry for your loss op. I hope whatever you decide to do, it brings you much peace.

Just do it. If you are stopped, look the police man in them eye and tell them what you are doing and why. If you get a fine, pay it and forget it. Some things are more important.

I really would wait until the restrictions are relaxed, simply on the grounds that you won't want the worry about being fined to spoil the day. Even if you get stopped (which based on the contents of several posts here does actually seem likely) and they don't fine you, it'll probably upset you. Under the circumstances, I think your mum would have understood. I'm sorry for your loss.

I wouldn't. The guidance on such gatherings says "...but you should try and keep any arrangements local wherever possible." I don't think an hour and a half's drive away is local by anyone's standards.

I agree with previous posters who've suggested going on the relevant date next year instead.

FFS. Why are you all still saying she'll get fined? YOU ARE ALLOWED TO SCATTER ASHES.

@SummerHouse

1) highly unlikely you will be stopped by police 2) highly unlikely they would fine you 3) it's £100 - if you get fined I will hand on heart pay you £100.

Lol thanks for the offer x

Thank you all

I'm pretty sure we re going to go ahead

My mum was only young but we had talked about what she wanted and it makes it so much easier