Many people like the idea of scattering the ashes of their loved ones at the stadium of their beloved football team. Unfortunately, it’s rare nowadays for this to be possible, partly because ashes can damage grass and partly because the clubs can’t cope with the sheer numbers of requests. The good news is that some clubs do offer an alternative, such as a Garden of Remembrance, where supporters’ ashes can be scattered.
Below is a summary of what some of Britain’s major clubs say after we contacted them.
Like most other clubs, Arsenal doesn’t offer the option to scatter ashes. Unfortunately, they also have no memorial garden.
Tel: 020 7619 5000
Email: ask@arsenal.co.uk
Aston Villa also does not allow ashes to be scattered at the stadium, but there is a book of remembrance available.
Tel: 0330 053 6010
Email: customer.services@shop.avfc.co.uk
You can only scatter ashes here with special permission, as there isn’t enough suitable space given the club’s large fan base. Instead, you can purchase a personalised brick to remember them by.
Tel: 0141 551 4209
Email: jptaylor@celticfc.co.uk
Chelsea also doesn’t offer this service. However, you may place a plaque on the dedicated Memorial Wall, and there’s no fee for this.
Tel: 0371 811 1955
Contact form: https://www.chelseafc.com/en/about-chelsea/contact-us
You won’t be able to scatter ashes at Goodison itself, but St Luke’s Church has a remembrance garden backing onto the Gwladys Street end.
Tel: 0151 556 1878
Contact form: http://www.evertonfc.com/functional/contact-us
Leicester have a garden of remembrance where scattering can take place. You can also choose to have a memorial stone.
Tel: 0344 815 5000
Email: lcfchelp@lcfc.co.uk
You’re not able to scatter ashes at Anfield itself, but there is a memorial garden close to the Main Stand.
Tel: 0151 264 2500
Contact form: https://help.liverpoolfc.com/app/ask
This is another club which has a memorial garden, but which doesn’t allow scattering inside the stadium itself.
Tel: 0161 438 7601
Email: receptionuser@mcfc.co.uk
Although United have allowed ashes to be scattered on rare occasions, you would need to contact them on a case-by-case basis.
Tel: 0161 868 8000
Email: enquiries@manutd.co.uk
Newcastle stopped offering an ashes-scattering service when the St James’s Park pitch was upgraded in 2011.
Tel: 0844 372 1892
Email: https://www.nufc.co.uk/faqs#contactform
Tel: 020 8742 0262 | Email: andyr@qpr.co.uk
QPR are among a very few clubs that still allow fans to scatter ashes pitchside. You’ll need to discuss things with the club chaplain.
In common with most clubs, Rangers don’t let you scatter ashes on the pitch. Rangers are looking at potential options going forward but there is currently nothing in place
Tel: 0141 580 8670
Email: slo@rangers.co.uk
Although it’s no longer possible to scatter ashes at Molineux, Wolves do have an annual memorial service and a book of remembrance.
Tel: 0371 222 2220
Email: customerservices@wolves.co.uk