Ashes Spread Out To Sea?

[wizard-of-roz]

DH has requested that his ashes be taken onboard a cruise and tossed to the ocean.

Has anyone ever known of anyone who's done this? Who do I contact? Is there a fee for doing this? Does it require the Captain? Who officiates? He was pretty adament about this and, I told him I would look into it. We're in the midst of preparing our Will's and this was his request.

I don't think it's such an unheard of request. It actually sounds lovely [if a discussion of this sort can be called "lovely!"]

I'm open for suggestions on the "where's" and the "how's!"

Thanks so much for helping with this "touchy" subject! :o

[Colo Cruiser]

DH has requested that his ashes be taken onboard a cruise and tossed to the ocean.

 

Has anyone ever known of anyone who's done this? Who do I contact? Is there a fee for doing this? Does it require the Captain? Who officiates? He was pretty adament about this and, I told him I would look into it. We're in the midst of preparing our Will's and this was his request.

 

I don't think it's such an unheard of request. It actually sounds lovely [if a discussion of this sort can be called "lovely!"]

 

I'm open for suggestions on the "where's" and the "how's!"

 

Thanks so much for helping with this "touchy" subject! :o

 

 

Princess can arrange this, or at least they used too. ;)

 

Lots of regs to abide by.

[BobT172]

Interesting question...it will be interesting to hear some responses but I have not heard of this being done.

 

I would think there would be some concerns about where "DH's" ashes go after dumping.... you can't control or preplan air currents.... I'd hate to be sitting on deck 7 and have "Fred" flutter down from above into my champagne...

 

might be more reasonable to go to the private island and dump him out from a scenic overlook.... I doubt he'd know the difference...

[Toto2Kansas]

I do remember that I read somewhere that special permission was needed to do this, and I am sure I read it here on CC. Let me do some searching as it was some time ago.

 

Edited, I searched several different ways, and just couldn't find it. I am sure I read it here, but it could have been longer ago then I thought.

[Cruisers from WA]

I recall reading RECENTLY on CC of someone arranging a burial at sea on Princess....

[Coral]

I recall reading RECENTLY on CC of someone arranging a burial at sea on Princess....

 

I know someone who is going to do this in January. So yes, it can be done.

[JimnKaren]

I asked my wife if she wanted me to do that and she said no. Her logic? I would be with someone else when I did it. LOL.

 

I hope to become compost for the veggie garden.

 

Jim

[iheartbda]

There are a number of threads on the general Ask A Question board. Not necessarily Princess specific but all cruise lines most likely follow similar procedures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=18646128

[KreinKrunker]

I am sure I read it here, but it could have been longer ago then I thought.

 

You did. There was a rather long post some time ago. The subject comes up a couple of times a year.

 

Here's a link to a Celebrity thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=440380&highlight=burial+sea

[lady_cruiser]

Yes you can have a very moving and private burial at sea. You just have to work out the details before the cruise. Here is a post from the Royal Caribbean thread - http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1031232 that tells you how its done.

 

If you can, go to the Royal Caribbean forum here and do a search for trainman2. Most of us who visit that (RCL) forum knows him from the wonderful travel logs that he and his wife posted about all their cruises together. He too, recently buried his wife at sea. It is a very moving and sad but at the same time a wonderful tribute that he shared with all of us.

 

Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean all follow the same guidelines.

 

Good luck and my sympathy goes with it for your loss.

[Pam in CA]

DH has requested that his ashes be taken onboard a cruise and tossed to the ocean.

 

Has anyone ever known of anyone who's done this? Who do I contact? Is there a fee for doing this? Does it require the Captain? Who officiates? He was pretty adament about this and, I told him I would look into it. We're in the midst of preparing our Will's and this was his request.

 

I don't think it's such an unheard of request. It actually sounds lovely [if a discussion of this sort can be called "lovely!"]

 

I'm open for suggestions on the "where's" and the "how's!"

 

Thanks so much for helping with this "touchy" subject! :o

Roz, the answer is, "Yes."

 

We have made arrangements to distribute my brother-in-law's ashes at sea while on our Sapphire cruise in January.

 

Fax the request to: Princess Marine Department 661-753-0124. I included our booking #'s, ship and sailing date along with contact information. I faxed the request on 4/16/10, and had a very nice letter from Janine Curry, Secretary to Alan Wilson, Vice President, Marine Operations, with permission, on 4/19/10.

 

Here's what she said in her email to me:

 

"Thank you for your request to spread ashes. I have attached our guidelines for your information. We will contact the ship with your request and you will be contacted while onboard. If you are not contacted in a timely manner, please go to the Purser's Desk with our letter and ask to speak with the Hotel General Manager, who whill have been contacted. No other documentation will be required."

 

Here's what the letter says:

 

"Thank you for your request to spread ashes while at sea during your cruise onboard the Sapphire Princess, cruise #H102N, commencing January 5, 2011.

 

We would like to inform you of the following:

 

* Ashes must be contained in a biodegradable urn.

 

* Ashes/Flowers may only be spread in International waters

 

* In accordance with environmental laws, only ashes, biodegradable urns and biodegradable flowers are permitted to be spread overboard. Cards, paper, metals, plastics, and other non-biodegradable items are not permitted.

 

* Our ships do not employ a Chaplain

 

The ship will be notified of your request and you shall be contacted while onboard. You will be informed of an appropriate time to carry out the spreading of the ashes. A member of the ship's company will escort you to a suitable private location and stay with you during this time."

 

My BIL would have loved this as he wanted to be distributed at sea. He loved Princess and as many of you know, became ill while on a cruise. I have already instructed my daughter that this would be my wish as well.

 

While a morbid subject for some, for us this is a fitting resolution. We are bringing our children on this cruise, and my sister had a large memorial party last June to celebrate Jim's life.

[KreinKrunker]

Here are a couple more links:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=711889&highlight=burial+sea

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1196369&highlight=burial+sea

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1205576&highlight=burial+sea

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=440380&highlight=burial+sea

[stretchcruz]

My best friend lost her mom, who also loved cruising, and she was cremated. I'm sorry to say that they did not permission, but my friend had very small portions of the cremains put into very small sealed envelopes. Then she and her siblings gathered on their aft balconies and they "shot" them with a slingshot (the sealed envelopes)...out into the ocean. I was inside in the cabin...they were all, obviously, very emotional...and, yes, they probably broke some rules....but her mom would have loved it.

[room010]

I know a family who "scattered" a loved one's ashes into the wake of a cruiseship. They didn't need or want any kind of religious ceremony, it was a very private moment but knowing how much red tape and "regulations" they would probably invoke by telling anyone what they planned to do they just picked a very quiet moment and said their goodbyes by each dropping a small ricepaper envelope of ashes into the wake which dissolved the paper instantly and the ashes were sent on their way. Nobody was any the wiser except the participants and they all found the experience very healing.

[TucsonRick]

I would think there would be some concerns about where "DH's" ashes go after dumping.... you can't control or preplan air currents.... I'd hate to be sitting on deck 7 and have "Fred" flutter down from above into my champagne...

I did it privately, late at night, and with no one's knowledge and the ashes blew back in my face and up my nose. True story!

[gertz]

Pam, thank you so much for this information.

Jack & Nora

[knbcruisers]

This was a great thread with good information. I have been saying since my first cruise that this is the way I want to go. I plan to tell my DD to book the best suite she can find from the life insurance money and spread my ashes in the Carribean, preferably near Turks & Caicos or St. Thomas. I wasn't sure it could be done. I suppose the other option would be to charter a boat locally and have them take your family beyond the international limit and then do it privately.

[teripp]

What a wonderful idea. I would love this for myself. I think I may change my will. I know this is a morbid topic and I am sorry for your loss but thank you for your post.

[wizard-of-roz]

Pam, thank you so, so much for the great information. I'm so relieved that it doesn't have to be a huge ordeal for me or for our children. A moment of great sadness turned to joy.

I, too, would love to know that I will be remembered by my children and grandchildren when they visit the vast horizons of the sea and when they cruise, they'll know that Grammy & PaPa are spending their eternity in the gentle flowing of the ocean and crispness of the breezes. And, when they go to the beach and watch the crashing of the waves......it's Grammy touching their souls.

[gertz]

Pam, thank you so, so much for the great information. I'm so relieved that it doesn't have to be a huge ordeal for me or for our children. A moment of great sadness turned to joy.

 

I, too, would love to know that I will be remembered by my children and grandchildren when they visit the vast horizons of the sea and when they cruise, they'll know that Grammy & PaPa are spending their eternity in the gentle flowing of the ocean and crispness of the breezes. And, when they go to the beach and watch the crashing of the waves......it's Grammy touching their souls.

 

I know you are a lovely person because we spoke at length with you your husband and that great rescue K9 on the Sapphire couple of years ago. But I did not know you were a poet also. Very touching.

[wizard-of-roz]

I know you are a lovely person because we spoke at length with you your husband and that great rescue K9 on the Sapphire couple of years ago. But I did not know you were a poet also. Very touching.

 

Thank you! I'm glad we had the opportunity to meet. And, hopefully, our paths will cross again, one day.

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

I think we will find this will become more common in the years to come, as it does cruise lines will be better able to assist,

 

hope we can take our pets with us, those who have not be been loved by a dog will not understand but DW already has the ashes of our two dogs and her wish is that they should be with her always.

 

 

yours Shogun

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi All

 

I think we will find this will become more common in the years to come, as it does cruise lines will be better able to assist,

 

hope we can take our pets with us, those who have not be been loved by a dog will not understand but DW already has the ashes of our two dogs and her wish is that they should be with her always.

 

 

yours Shogun

 

I do understand that love. Our dear, sweet and faithful companion and "hero", "Brenda" will be with us, as well!

[jeeper2]

Pam, thank you so, so much for the great information. I'm so relieved that it doesn't have to be a huge ordeal for me or for our children. A moment of great sadness turned to joy.

 

I, too, would love to know that I will be remembered by my children and grandchildren when they visit the vast horizons of the sea and when they cruise, they'll know that Grammy & PaPa are spending their eternity in the gentle flowing of the ocean and crispness of the breezes. And, when they go to the beach and watch the crashing of the waves......it's Grammy touching their souls.

 

I've said it before, and I will say it again...I hope to one day have the pleasure of meeting you and Brenda. You are a special pair. May the three of you (I'm assuming your hubby will be with you!) have a wonderful trip on the Sapphire.

[wizard-of-roz]

I've said it before, and I will say it again...I hope to one day have the pleasure of meeting you and Brenda. You are a special pair. May the three of you (I'm assuming your hubby will be with you!) have a wonderful trip on the Sapphire.

 

Me, too, you!

I'm so sorry if I've mislead anyone. Dear hubby is still walking on this wonderful earth. He's still here to remind me of the lights I've left on, the water that is still running, I'm hitting the breaks of the car too hard, I forgot my pills and don't forget to let the dog out!!!!!! He's like a drill sargeant but my world and, my life would be empty without him.

All of my questions about scattering of ashes is for our very, [hopefully] very, distant future.