Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Pouring Ashes Down Subway Grate Not So Legal
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jan 17, 2011
Modified Jan 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jan 17, 2011
Modified Jan 17, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The sisters of slain Portuguese journalist Carlos Castro swore they had permission from the city to pour their brother's ashes down a subway grate in Times Square, as per his wishes. But a Bloomberg spokesman says that may not be the case. The scattering of remains on city property is only permitted with a written permit, and spokesman Stu Loeser said, "We did not give them permission."
We're told by the city Health Department that human ashes are not regulated by Health Code because "once human remains are cremated the ashes are not human remains." A spokeswoman told us, "Ashes do not constitute a health hazard and are no longer in the Health Department's jurisdiction," but "Dumping ashes, or anything else, on MTA property may be prohibited by the MTA." We've contacted the MTA to see where they stand on the issue, but at least one commenter has expressed puzzlement over why Castro's ashes received "permission" and legendary restaurant owner Elaine Kaufman's ashes didn't. Kaufman wished for her ashes to be scattered over Second Avenue, but the Post said that it's "illegal."
Tagged
ashes
carlos castro
cremation
elaine kaufman
MTA
subway grate
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
More than 122,000 cases are being recalled over undeclared food dyes.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:36 p.m. ET
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
News
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .