Aerial Ashes Brings Drone-Based Ashes Scattering to the US, Starting at $750

A UK-based company by the name of Aerial Ashes is now offering its memorial services in the United States, but its business model will make you do a double take: scattering loved ones’ ashes from the skies with a DJI M600 drone.

Aerial Ashes launched in the UK in 2019, and was founded by Christopher Mace, a former RAF helicopter pilot, and it now has a US operation branded as “Aerial Ashes Tri-State,” serving western Pennsylvania, New York, and eastern Ohio.

While this use-case may be one of the most unique we’ve covered at DroneXL, I think it’s a refreshing service to hear about. A lot of press surrounding drones is negative, but the positive stories will often get overlooked.

What Aerial Ashes Tri-State is Offering

On the US site, Aerial Ashes Tri-State lays out four pricing tiers, with the headline being that the entry point is far lower than what most people associate with aerial memorial services.

1) “You come to us” – $750
This is the budget option, which occurs on a rural property near Townville, Pennsylvania. It is a fixed-location service, meaning it is not at a location you choose. That being said,

2) “The full service” – $1,500
This is the “go where you want” option, tailored to your chosen location within their operating region: western Pennsylvania, New York, and Eastern Ohio. Filming is not included at this tier, and a second ashes drop is an additional fee.

3) “The Memories Package” – +$750 add-on
Adds a second drone and operator to capture the ceremony, with a professionally edited video (the page cites about one minute) and edited images, plus permission to share.

4) “Live Streaming” – +$750 add-on
A second drone and operator stream the ceremony online with private, secure viewing that is intended for family and friends.

One note: the Tri-State pricing page says travel fees are based on mileage from their base location, but it does not publish the actual mileage brackets.

Where They Can Operate, and Current Restrictions

The big headline on geography is simple: they say they operate anywhere around western Pennsylvania and New York, as well as eastern Ohio.

Landowner permission is the first gate. They say the location is up to the family, and the company will seek the landowner’s permission. While it may sound great in practice to be able to spread your loved ones’ ashes specifically where requested, it is a delicate ceremony that has to be handled with respect for all parties involved.

Beach and sea scatterings are usually easier. Both the “Where we operate” and “Legal requirements” pages lean on the same point: shoreline operations tend to be less complicated than chasing down land owners.

They will not release ashes unless the area is approved. That matters because it is the line between “a drone service” and “a family friend with a drone” could mean bad news on the day of the memorial.

Crowds and uninvolved people are a hard stop. Their FAQ says guests need to be positioned more than 50 feet from the launch site unless they are part of the safety brief, and the drone will not fly over pedestrians unless special FAA clearances are in place.

Weather matters, more than most families expect. The Tri-State FAQ calls out a wind limit of greater than 20 mph as a no-go. That is not a surprise to any drone operator or pilot, but it is something families planning a memorial service may need to hear early on.

Vehicle access matters too. They state they need to be able to drive to within about one-third of a mile of the site, sometimes using 4×4 access depending on terrain, owner permission, and whatever waivers may be required.

High-demand historic sites are unlikely. Their FAQ basically says what everyone already suspects: the most popular historic sites are not going to love the idea of a ceremony that could disturb other visitors, even if the request is respectful.

That means you cannot request a loved one’s remains be spread over large, crowded areas, national parks, or anywhere else where drone flying is prohibited.

Who’s On The Team?

On the US side, the operation is presented as being led by Amy Wellington, described as the “first to bring the service to the United States,” serving western Pennsylvania and New York, plus eastern Ohio.

The UK organization lists a broader staff and leadership structure. The UK “Our Team” page names Matt (Managing Director) and describes him as having 18+ years in bereavement work and seven years as a professional drone pilot.

Matt’s background is important because it hints at what the company is aiming to be: not a random drone pilot with a custom dropper, but a well-known, respectable memorial service provider you can trust.

Why DJI’s Matrice 600 Drone Was Used

Aerial Ashes Tri-State is not doing this with a lightweight consumer quad and vibes. Their primary ash-carrying platform is the DJI Matrice 600 Pro, picked specifically for stability and “medium lift capability.”

Aerial Ashes also says its M600 Pro units are fitted with carbon-fiber boxes modified for scattering ashes.

When it is time to capture the moment, they switch to smaller camera drones. Their equipment page says they use either a DJI Mavic Air or DJI Mini 4 Pro for filming and photo work.

DroneXL’s Take

When Matt Young reached out to me this week to introduce himself, I was instantly curious about Aerial Ashes. I believe this is a unique solution to an otherwise very expensive (or downright impossible) request from a loved one that has passed.

If this expands to more regions, this is one of those drone niches that could quietly become normal. Not because it is flashy, but because it solves a real problem: how can you perform a dignified scattering at a meaningful location without making the day worse?

Let me know your thoughts, and whether or not you’d consider using Aerial Ashes’ memorial services for your loved ones down below.