The Mysterious Rumor About David Bowie’s Ashes

The world was shocked when David Bowie died in early 2016. Not only was he a well-known and loved icon, but he also kept his fight with cancer a secret. The fact that his last years were kept secret added to the mystery, leaving fans looking for answers and meaning. His final album, Blackstar, released just days before he passed, felt like a parting gift—one that many believed was filled with hidden messages about his own mortality.

The Conspiracy Theory That Bowie Wasn’t Really Gone

With so few details available, speculation ran wild. One odd conspiracy even popped up right after his death. Fans noticed that Jack Steven, a music industry expert who spoke about Bowie on Sky News, looked a bit too much like the man himself. According to The Metro, some believed Bowie had faked his death and appeared on TV disguised as Steven. Most fans didn’t buy it—but it showed just how deeply people were grasping for connection.

David Bowie’s Burning Man Ashes Rumor

Later that year, a more touching rumor surfaced: Bowie’s ashes had reportedly been scattered at the Burning Man festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, in line with his final wishes. It was said that it was to have been laid to rest by a family member (his godchild) during a private ceremony at the Burning Man Temple. Several news outlets and fan sites ran with the tale, noting that it was guided by the official Burning Man Placement Team and held at the Temple, a symbolic and spiritual space that’s rebuilt each year in the Nevada desert.

But not long after, Bowie’s son, filmmaker Duncan Jones, shut the whole thing down. He took to Twitter and set the record straight, saying, “What people will do & say for attention never ceases to amaze me. Not true. Kind of a gross claim as well.” So, while the idea of a Bowie tribute at Burning Man might have felt poetic, it turns out it was nothing more than a rumor.

Where David Bowie Really Wanted His Ashes Scattered

After Duncan Jones denied the Burning Man ashes rumor, he added a cheeky follow-up: “We all know if dad DID want his ashes scattered in front of strangers, it would be at the [British camping resort] Skegness Butlins.” E! later updated their story with his response but kept the original article up.

Meanwhile, FACT Mag pointed out another flaw in the Burning Man tale. The festival enforces a strict “leave no trace” policy, making it highly unlikely that scattering ashes—celebrity or not—would be permitted.

So, what actually happened to Bowie’s remains? According to The Independent, the truth is in his will. Bowie requested that he be cremated and that his ashes be scattered in Bali, “in accordance with the Buddhist rituals of Bali,” if possible. In the end, it wasn’t a desert ceremony, but a quiet and spiritual farewell, just the way he wanted.