How it works
We go at your pace. Nothing here needs to be rushed.
A conversation
We start with an unhurried call or visit to hear about your loved one and what you're hoping for.
Place & date
Together we choose a meaningful location and a day that works for your family. We check what's permitted there.
The flight
On the day, our pilot flies with care while you watch, gather, or share a few words. You set the tone.
Video and photos
If you'd like, we can capture the moment in video or photos for you to keep and share with family who couldn't be there.
Where we can fly
We're based in Temecula and serve families across Southern California and beyond. Travel outside the region can be arranged.
- Open land, hillsides, and private property, with the owner's permission
- Coastal and over-water sites where scattering is permitted
- Other meaningful places we can review with you case by case
We take care of the FAA requirements, airspace checks, and any permissions the site needs, so you don't have to. If a place isn't possible, we'll tell you honestly and help find a lovely alternative.
Ways to say goodbye
Every family is different. These are starting points, and we'll shape the day around you.
Quiet Farewell
A gentle, simple goodbye, carried out with care on your behalf at a place that's meaningful to you.
- No need to attend in person
- A photograph of the moment
- GPS certificate marking the place
- Permits and paperwork handled for you
Witnessed Farewell
Gather with family and friends at the place that meant the most, across Southern California or beyond.
- Family attends in person
- The location you choose, near or far
- Photo, GPS certificate, and permits handled
Ceremony & Keepsake
Everything in the Witnessed Farewell, with a lasting keepsake to hold onto and share.
- Edited keepsake video of the flight, with additional camera angles available on request
- Live stream for loved ones far away, available on request
- Option to scatter at sea
Scattering more than one loved one together? We can include additional remains in any of these. Just ask.
We also scatter ashes for beloved pets, with the same care and quiet respect. Let us know, and we'll talk through the options with you.
Keep a little close. Let the rest fly.
Many families have an urn resting on a shelf at home. You don't have to choose between keeping and letting go.
You can keep a small portion close in a keepsake urn or a piece of memorial jewelry, and let the rest be set free in a gentle drone ceremony over a place that mattered. We can help arrange a small keepsake urn or piece of jewelry, and we'll set that portion aside with care before the flight.
- A small keepsake urn for home, or a pendant to wear close
- A little set aside gently, just for you
- The rest released over a place they loved
Contact us for a quote. There's no obligation.
Questions families ask
Is this respectful?
Yes. Every flight is calm and deliberate, and the ceremony is yours to shape. Many families find it a peaceful alternative to a traditional service.
Is this legal?
Yes. Scattering ashes is legal in California when it's done with the right permit and permissions. Each farewell needs a Permit for Disposition of Human Remains from the county registrar that names the place of scattering (your funeral home or crematory often arranges it), and on land we also obtain written permission from the property owner or the agency that manages the site. Over the ocean, scattering takes place at least three nautical miles from shore, and the required reports are filed with the county and the EPA afterward. We'll guide you through the paperwork, so you can focus on saying goodbye.
Can family and friends attend?
Of course. Gather nearby and watch, or let us fly alone and send you the video and photos if you choose that option.
What about wind and weather?
We only fly when conditions are safe and suitable. If the weather won't cooperate, we'll reschedule with you. The sky can wait a day.
Do you need all of the ashes?
No. Many families keep a small portion close in a keepsake urn or piece of jewelry and let the rest fly. We'll talk through how much to keep and how much to release during your consultation, and we can help arrange the keepsake.
Can you scatter a pet's ashes?
Yes. A beloved companion deserves a gentle farewell too, and we're glad to help. California's permit rules for human remains don't apply to pet ashes, though we still ask the landowner's permission for every flight. Because the federal rules for scattering at sea cover human remains only, we'll help you choose a lovely place over land.
How much does it cost?
Every farewell is a little different, so we price each one around your wishes. Contact us for a quote. There's no obligation.
Who's flying
Every flight is flown by Barry Paul, an FAA-certified commercial drone pilot (Part 107) based right here in Temecula.
Before any farewell, Barry plans each flight with care: he checks the airspace, looks at the weather and the site, and makes sure everything is in order well ahead of the day. When it's time to fly, he does so calmly and respectfully, so your family can simply be together in the moment.
Contact us
Reach out whenever you're ready. There's no obligation, just a conversation.
Email: care@aerialburial.rip
Hours: We reply within one business day. Ceremonies are scheduled by appointment, 7 days a week.