There is no doubt that this person is terribly grief-stricken by the loss of his friend. But the best case scenario for these ashes was that they get vacuumed up and thrown in a landfill with the rest of New York's trash. As it was, some of the ashes ended up in a crime lab. I'm not sure that's what would have been desired by the deceased, but who am I to say?
I have a rule that I've adopted for myself: never make any kind of important decision while in emotional distress. I've made note to include the scattering of anyone's ashes in the "important decision" category. Also in that category: quitting jobs, relocating, starting or ending significant relationships, and making large purchases.
UPDATE: It was an opera fan's dying wish to have his ashes scattered at opera houses across the world.