Introducing John Yenason, the compassionate force behind Alaska Burial Services. With years of experience in conducting formal funeral services, orchestrating celebrations of life, and providing solace to grieving families, John brings a wealth of expertise to ensure every aspect of the process is handled with care and consideration. His extensive background allows him to serve you better, offering a guiding hand during difficult times with empathy and understanding.
With a profound commitment to honoring the departed, John personally performs every facet of the celebration of life, including where the remains and spirit of your loved one is laid to rest. Families can trust in John’s compassionate care as he navigates each step with unwavering respect and professionalism.
John has been living in Alaska since 2005 and enjoy sharing this majestic, open land with family , veterans, friends and ones not yet met. The interest I heard often was “I would want to be put to rest here”. So I started looking in to who offered this service and was disappointed that few offered this in Alaska and those that did handled it commercial with no personal caring or respect. At that point John decided to offer personalized service to clients. Saying goodbye to a loved one can be a very trying time and many decisions need to made for the finial arrangements. Our responses are always covered with compassion and understanding.
Contact John directly for a compassionate and caring discussion to help you understand your ceremonial burial options.
Made his wishes a reality! Before finding your service we weren't at all sure how to make dad's wishes a reality. Alaska Burial Service handled everything, and dad's ashes were scattered across the mountains of Alaska just as he had hoped. We're so glad we found you, and so thankful for the video you provided.
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Chris Kempler
4/20/2024
Solved Everything Alaska Burial Services made my father's wishes a reality. This was a tough time for us, and it was a blessing to have his ashes scattered at sea without our having to fly to Alaska and perform the ceremony ourselves. Alaska Burial Services took care of all the logistics and made it happen. They supplied a video and the location information, which really helped ease our stress and grief. Thank you so much.
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Joshua Franks
4/13/2024
Thank you so much! We just wanted to say thank you to Johnny for handling the scattering of our mom's ashes with such care and kindness. Your service really helped the family feel more at peace with our loss.
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Sarah Johnson
3/27/2024
FAQ Accordion
Frequently Asked Questions
Alaska Burial Services is one of very few providers of a professional, ceremonial ash scattering service in Alaska. They offer both sea burials and land scatterings for customers both in and out of state. Their services ensure that the ashes of loved ones are scattered in a respectful, meaningful way, whether at sea or in Alaska’s vast wilderness.
Yes, scattering ashes at sea is legal in Alaska as long as you follow federal regulations. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that ashes be scattered at least three nautical miles from shore. You must also notify the EPA within 30 days of the scattering.
While there are no government-designated scattering locations, many families choose scenic and remote areas, such as the waters around Prince William Sound, Resurrection Bay, or other coastal locations. Alaska Burial Services may also provide guidance on beautiful and serene areas suitable for sea scattering.
Yes, ashes can be scattered on land in Alaska, but it’s important to obtain permission if you’re scattering on private land or in certain public areas, such as national parks. For state land, there are usually fewer restrictions, but checking local regulations is recommended.
A permit is not typically required to scatter ashes in wilderness areas or on state land, but you should check local guidelines. If you plan to scatter ashes in a national park, you may need to contact the park’s administrative office for permission or guidance.
Yes, many families choose to hold a memorial or ceremonial service during the scattering of ashes. This can be a meaningful way to honor the loved one, with readings, prayers, or personal reflections. Alaska Burial Services can assist in coordinating ceremonial aspects.
In the ocean, ashes will disperse naturally with the currents and become part of the marine ecosystem. On land, ashes will eventually integrate with the soil, contributing to the natural environment. Both methods offer a symbolic return to nature.
Yes, but you may need to obtain permission from the park’s administration. Denali National Park, for example, may allow the scattering of ashes, but they might have specific rules about the location and timing.
Yes, ashes can be divided and scattered in multiple locations, allowing families to choose meaningful places for different portions of the ashes. This can be particularly meaningful if the deceased had a deep connection to various places in Alaska.
When flying with ashes, the TSA allows cremated remains to be carried in a special urn or container. It’s best to use a non-metallic urn to ensure it passes through security screenings easily. Alaska Burial Services may also offer transportation options if you prefer.
Ashes are not harmful to the environment, as they are sterile and contain no toxic materials. Whether scattered at sea or in a wilderness area, the ashes will integrate with the surrounding environment naturally.
Yes, ashes can be scattered year-round, though winter conditions can pose some challenges. Snow, ice, and weather conditions should be taken into account, and it may be necessary to consult with a service like Alaska Burial Services to ensure safe and respectful scattering during winter months.
