Burial at sea

[poppatom]

I read some time ago about burial at sea, would anyone have info about this

[Clarea]

I read some time ago about burial at sea, would anyone have info about this

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=40436457&postcount=23

[dancinman66]

I have only heard of ashes being deposited at sea to rest nothing more

 

That is how I want to go

And on royal

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[MattInFLL]

I did this with my brother's ashes on a Princess cruise, as he wanted some of his ashes spread in the ocean near the Dominican Republic. I had to make arrangements ahead of time and get a biodegradable urn (very easy to find on internet). It was done very well. The Captain came and did a ceremony with a couple of other senior officers and off my brother went over the stern. Later I received a note from the Captain with a map marking the spot, so I could share it with my parents.

 

Of course that was Princess. I would think Royal would handle it similarly.

[Clarea]

I did this with my brother's ashes on a Princess cruise, as he wanted some of his ashes spread in the ocean near the Dominican Republic. I had to make arrangements ahead of time and get a biodegradable urn (very easy to find on internet). It was done very well. The Captain came and did a ceremony with a couple of other senior officers and off my brother went over the stern. Later I received a note from the Captain with a map marking the spot, so I could share it with my parents.

 

Of course that was Princess. I would think Royal would handle it similarly.

Royal provides a certificate with the time, date, and GPS coordinates of the burial.

[MattInFLL]

One thing anyone should know - the reason you need to make arrangements is because they are extremely mindful of people polluting and throwing things overboard and there are cameras everywhere. You do not want to do this on your own without the ship knowing about it. For something that is obviously a somber occasion, they handle it very well.

[TandK0826]

Royal provides a certificate with the time, date, and GPS coordinates of the burial.

 

 

You are just a book of knowledge aren't you clarea!!!! I love seeing your replies. There is not a topic you do not know!!!!

[Clarea]

You are just a book of knowledge aren't you clarea!!!! I love seeing your replies. There is not a topic you do not know!!!!

My wife has a different name for that.:rolleyes:

[OKC Cruisers]

My wife has a different name for that.:rolleyes:

 

 

I think my wife often gives me the same nickname as yours does you! :eek:

 

Pete

[seaman11]

I have only heard of ashes being deposited at sea to rest nothing more

 

That is how I want to go

And on royal

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

tell me when, ill book with you and push you over

Edited September 19, 2014 by seaman11

[dancinman66]

tell me when, ill book with you and push you over

 

 

Thanks

Just done coffee spit

 

Will try let you know

Good to have friends :)

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[barb in ga]

I did this for my brother last year on Freedom. He and I cruised together a few years before he passed. We cruised Freedom, and as a completely wheelchair bound person, he was absolutely amazed at how comfortable and accessible the ship was. He said the ship truly offered him a sense of freedom from his usual daily routine.

 

I emailed Royal several weeks in advance of our cruise for permission to have the burial at sea. They responded with approval, letting me know that I could scatter ashes only, or use a biodegradable urn. I was told to contact the Purser's Desk once aboard, and that a time would be set up for a sea day.We were booked in a suite, so the week before the cruise, I emailed the concierge, asking him to set up the arrangements.

 

On the Friday sea day, he met us, then escorted us to meet the 2 ship's officers that took us to to spot below public decks where there was a small balcony. They allowed us to say a few words, and we chose to scatter the ashes without an urn.

 

They obviously have done this before; they were so respectful, and when we stepped back from the balcony, they provided a box of tissues.

 

The next day we received a certificate with his name, dates of birth and death, date and time of burial at sea, and the latitude and longitude where it took place.

 

I can't say enough about how much this meant to be able to do this for my brother. Thank you Royal Caribbean!

Barb

[dleem63]

I just did a Burial at Sea on the Independence of the Seas on the 11/30 sailing. Although I got permission and brought everything they asked for, it was like pulling teeth for them to follow through. It was finally done on the second sea day but I am still, almost a week later attempting to get the certificate that was promised.

 

The guest services people on the Independence need to be trained better in handling these type of situations. On the morning of debarkation I was told they had not printed the certificate and they would just e-mail it to me. No apology, etc.

 

This was our first Royal cruse and probably the last, the customer service line sucks and today was on hold and passed around four times, having to repeat my request, etc.

 

Don't offer the service if you cannot provide so with dignity and respect.

 

I called to confirm that this service was available prior to booking and was the only reason I booked this cruise.

 

I have cruised 13 times previously on Carnival and Disney, so not new to sailing.

 

DeAnna

[Clarea]

I just did a Burial at Sea on the Independence of the Seas on the 11/30 sailing. Although I got permission and brought everything they asked for, it was like pulling teeth for them to follow through. It was finally done on the second sea day but I am still, almost a week later attempting to get the certificate that was promised.

 

The guest services people on the Independence need to be trained better in handling these type of situations. On the morning of debarkation I was told they had not printed the certificate and they would just e-mail it to me. No apology, etc.

 

This was our first Royal cruse and probably the last, the customer service line sucks and today was on hold and passed around four times, having to repeat my request, etc.

 

Don't offer the service if you cannot provide so with dignity and respect.

 

I called to confirm that this service was available prior to booking and was the only reason I booked this cruise.

 

I have cruised 13 times previously on Carnival and Disney, so not new to sailing.

 

DeAnna

That's unfortunate that you had a bad experience.

 

We did a burial at sea on Liberty 3 years ago and it could not have been handled better.

[bouhunter]

I just did a Burial at Sea on the Independence of the Seas on the 11/30 sailing. Although I got permission and brought everything they asked for, it was like pulling teeth for them to follow through. It was finally done on the second sea day but I am still, almost a week later attempting to get the certificate that was promised.

 

The guest services people on the Independence need to be trained better in handling these type of situations. On the morning of debarkation I was told they had not printed the certificate and they would just e-mail it to me. No apology, etc.

 

This was our first Royal cruse and probably the last, the customer service line sucks and today was on hold and passed around four times, having to repeat my request, etc.

 

Don't offer the service if you cannot provide so with dignity and respect.

 

I called to confirm that this service was available prior to booking and was the only reason I booked this cruise.

 

I have cruised 13 times previously on Carnival and Disney, so not new to sailing.

 

DeAnna

 

I wouldn't let this go. Someone on that ship needs to be held accountable.

[cruisenfever]

I just did a Burial at Sea on the Independence of the Seas on the 11/30 sailing. Although I got permission and brought everything they asked for, it was like pulling teeth for them to follow through. It was finally done on the second sea day but I am still, almost a week later attempting to get the certificate that was promised.

 

The guest services people on the Independence need to be trained better in handling these type of situations. On the morning of debarkation I was told they had not printed the certificate and they would just e-mail it to me. No apology, etc.

 

This was our first Royal cruse and probably the last, the customer service line sucks and today was on hold and passed around four times, having to repeat my request, etc.

 

Don't offer the service if you cannot provide so with dignity and respect.

 

I called to confirm that this service was available prior to booking and was the only reason I booked this cruise.

 

I have cruised 13 times previously on Carnival and Disney, so not new to sailing.

 

DeAnna

I am so sorry to hear this DeAnna. May I suggest that you use the following email address or you can call directly. If you email, please include a phone number where you can be reached.

 

Aurora "Laly" Yera-Rodriguez

Director, Guest Relations & Shared Services

Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, & Royal Caribbean International

954-628-9313

ext. 19313

ayera-rodriguez@rccl.com

[RocketMan275]

Experience on Princess with a lot of details. Don't hesitate to contact Pam in CA. She's very nice and very helpful on a variety of things. Her email is on the posts. BTW, Pam reports a very positive experience.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1343418&highlight=burial

Edited December 11, 2015 by RocketMan275

[wendychloecruiser]

Royal Caribbean could not have been more professional and understanding to our family eight years ago when we had a ceremony at sea for my sister. The captain was there and another officer did a reading. They gave my mom a beautiful bouquet of roses and a folder with a picture of the ship and a signed commemorative memorial with the coordinates of the ceremony. The captain even moved the ship further out to sea as apparently the ceremony could not take place within so many miles of land. All this was done with two days notice. We will be forever grateful.

[The Fun Researcher]

I had never thought of this. Touching stories all. Thank you.

 

Dan

[BecciBoo]

I wouldn't let this go. Someone on that ship needs to be held accountable.

 

Yes, it should have been handled with more consideration and tact.

 

Each experience and every ship is always different.

 

I would do as Patti suggests and ask that the staff on Indy be trained appropriately in future.

 

[Plut0]

I have a question related to this topic. Does any of the ships allow you or help you to throw a wreath of flowers in the ocean in memory of a loved one.

 

Thank you.

[Trainman-2]

Several years ago I scattered my last Wife's ashes from the Freedom of the Seas.

 

It was an emotional time for me and the staff of the ship was helpful and supportive.

 

They had a prepared sheet that we read together and then I poured Carol's ashes into the sea.

 

 

The next day I got a nice certificate.

 

[pattle66]

That is beautiful Trainman. I remember reading your review of that trip and it still brings a tear to my eye even though I have never met you.

[Philly Steve]

I'm amazed I have never heard of this before after years of cruising.

 

Another fascinating fact, via Cruise Critic.

 

How does one take an urn aboard on embarkation?

[Clarea]

I'm amazed I have never heard of this before after years of cruising.

 

Another fascinating fact, via Cruise Critic.

 

How does one take an urn aboard on embarkation?

We carried the urn in a carry-on.

 

Note that the container has to be made of biodegradable material. You can do an internet search on "Biodegradable Cremation Urns" and see many options.