More than 300 piles of cremated human remains were discovered scattered across the Nevada desert near Searchlight, about an hour from Las Vegas.

Authorities believe a funeral home illegally dumped the ashes, though no specific business has been named.

Palm Mortuaries and Cemeteries has since collected the remains and plans to place them in a crypt so families may one day identify their loved ones, the Daily Mail has reported.

While scattering ashes on public land is legal in Nevada, mass commercial dumping violates state law protecting the dignity of human remains.