#1packerfan Posted December 28, 2022 #1 Share Posted December 28, 2022 I wanted to give our experience with a Burial at Sea on Mariner Dec 19-24. It was for our son in law who passed away unexpectedly in June. It was my husband and I, our daughter and granddaughter and my sister and brother in law. We started back in July with correspondence and to get the approval to proceed. It was an easy process. We had to have death certificate, cremation certificate and proof the urn was biodegradable. We did not have a certificate for the urn but it was stamped on the bottom that it was biodegradable so that was fine. My daughter and I went to Guest Services as soon as we boarded to get it set up. We wanted it on our first sea day in the morning. The gal at GS took our information and asked us to come back at 6:30 to talk to the Hotel Manager, so we did that. We got it all set up, but because we did not have an actual cert saying the urn was biodegradable, the environmental officer needed to go to my daughter's stateroom to look at the urn. It was not an issue, just one more step. She received a call the night we got back on the ship from Coco Cay that it was all set up for 10:30 the next morning, while at sea. We went to GS at 10:15 and 2 security officers, the environmental officer, the hotel manager and 2 GS staff walked us down to Deck 4 promenade to the back of the ship. The Security officers stopped passengers from coming through that way while we were there. They told my daughter what to do, and one of the GS staff videoed it for my daughter at her request. They also brought along a box of tissues for us, we never gave that a thought. It was all done so respectfully and we cannot say enough good things about all staff that helped us. I made sure to mention them in my survey at the end. Each cabin then received the certificate signed by the captain and hotel manager with our son in law's name, DOB, Date of death, and who attended along with the coordinates. We were asked if we wanted it laminated and we said yes, that way it will never tear, etc. It was something we will always remember and hopefully our daughter and granddaughter can start to move forward now. All in all the cruise was great as always even with the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to a loved one. We all love to cruise and our daughter knew this would make him happy to be forever at sea. 41 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
la_croisiere_s'amuse Posted December 28, 2022 #2 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Thank you for sharing your experience. So sorry for your loss. Best wishes to your daughter and granddaughter. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soremekun Posted December 28, 2022 #3 Share Posted December 28, 2022 I am sorry for the loss and I hope, in time, all who knew him are able to find a source of comfort and take the necessary time to grieve and heal. I don't know how you feel but I lost my mother in August and I miss her everyday. Thank you for this information. This information is very helpful to the forum. I respectfully ask: Was there a cost associated with this service? How long was the actual burial at sea "funeral"? What was the process of transporting the ashes through the airport/plane? 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare jean87510 Posted December 28, 2022 #4 Share Posted December 28, 2022 what a wonderful story. So sorry for your loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Researcher Posted December 28, 2022 #5 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Thank you for thinking of us here on Cruise Critic. Sorry for your loss. Glad for you that it went so well. Kindly, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luckynana Posted December 28, 2022 #6 Share Posted December 28, 2022 So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing.❤️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1packerfan Posted December 28, 2022 Author #7 Share Posted December 28, 2022 1 hour ago, soremekun said: I am sorry for the loss and I hope, in time, all who knew him are able to find a source of comfort and take the necessary time to grieve and heal. I don't know how you feel but I lost my mother in August and I miss her everyday. Thank you for this information. This information is very helpful to the forum. I respectfully ask: Was there a cost associated with this service? How long was the actual burial at sea "funeral"? What was the process of transporting the ashes through the airport/plane? No cost. It only took about 15 minutes but I think we could have spent more time had we wanted to or if we had wanted like some sort of prayer service or something. Our daughter lives in Florida so we did not have to fly and they never looked at it at all through security at the port even though she had the paperwork with. She just had the urn in a tote bag type of thing that we carried on. She did fly with the urn this summer to get home to Florida and they did check the urn at security at the airport but it was not an issue at all 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbeyg Posted December 28, 2022 #8 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Thank you for sharing your experience with this. I have no doubt this will be very helpful to others. How thoughtful of you to share. My condolences and best wishes to all of you as you grieve and move forward. I am glad RCI was accommodating to your wishes. I hope this brought solace to your daughter and granddaughter. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flamingos Posted December 28, 2022 #9 Share Posted December 28, 2022 Thanks for sharing. Peace to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aquahound Posted December 29, 2022 #10 Share Posted December 29, 2022 I got the chills reading your story. Thank you for sharing. ❤️ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deliver42 Posted December 29, 2022 #11 Share Posted December 29, 2022 What a wonderful story. Thanks for sharing, and I hope you have closure now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freshjive1479 Posted December 29, 2022 #12 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Thank you for sharing your story and I'm sorry for your loss. I'm planning a burial at sea for my aunt on an upcoming cruise and your story has helped put my mind at ease. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cru1s1ng2009 Posted December 29, 2022 #13 Share Posted December 29, 2022 6 hours ago, #1packerfan said: I wanted to give our experience with a Burial at Sea on Mariner Dec 19-24. It was for our son in law who passed away unexpectedly in June. It was my husband and I, our daughter and granddaughter and my sister and brother in law. We started back in July with correspondence and to get the approval to proceed. It was an easy process. We had to have death certificate, cremation certificate and proof the urn was biodegradable. We did not have a certificate for the urn but it was stamped on the bottom that it was biodegradable so that was fine. My daughter and I went to Guest Services as soon as we boarded to get it set up. We wanted it on our first sea day in the morning. The gal at GS took our information and asked us to come back at 6:30 to talk to the Hotel Manager, so we did that. We got it all set up, but because we did not have an actual cert saying the urn was biodegradable, the environmental officer needed to go to my daughter's stateroom to look at the urn. It was not an issue, just one more step. She received a call the night we got back on the ship from Coco Cay that it was all set up for 10:30 the next morning, while at sea. We went to GS at 10:15 and 2 security officers, the environmental officer, the hotel manager and 2 GS staff walked us down to Deck 4 promenade to the back of the ship. The Security officers stopped passengers from coming through that way while we were there. They told my daughter what to do, and one of the GS staff videoed it for my daughter at her request. They also brought along a box of tissues for us, we never gave that a thought. It was all done so respectfully and we cannot say enough good things about all staff that helped us. I made sure to mention them in my survey at the end. Each cabin then received the certificate signed by the captain and hotel manager with our son in law's name, DOB, Date of death, and who attended along with the coordinates. We were asked if we wanted it laminated and we said yes, that way it will never tear, etc. It was something we will always remember and hopefully our daughter and granddaughter can start to move forward now. All in all the cruise was great as always even with the emotional aspect of saying goodbye to a loved one. We all love to cruise and our daughter knew this would make him happy to be forever at sea. thank you so much for sharing this. My daughter (30) passed away in 2019 and my mom just passed away 2 weeks ago. I have been thinking about this for my DD for a couple years and now with my mom it is doubly so. Both loved cruising. I hope to one day be able to do a 'two'fer' and do this for both of them. having a certificate with matching coordinates will be wonderful. i am so sorry for your loss. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky1987 Posted December 29, 2022 #14 Share Posted December 29, 2022 So sorry for your loss, thank you for sharing...this is a lot like our experience putting my dad's ashes to sea on Explorer in 2018. The crew who dealt with us on that cruise were absolutely wonderful and gave us all the time we needed. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamesEM Posted December 29, 2022 #15 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Thanks for posting your experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yancycruiser Posted December 29, 2022 #16 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Thank you for sharing your experience with us. May God continue to bless your family and give you peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molly361 Posted December 29, 2022 #17 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Thanks for sharing. My husband was also a BIG Packers fan (we met you and your sister on a ship many years ago) A bit of his ashes are now residing in Lambeau Field 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitana Posted December 29, 2022 #18 Share Posted December 29, 2022 So sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful gesture. May your loved one Rest in Peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nasa1974 Posted December 29, 2022 #19 Share Posted December 29, 2022 #1packerfan, Thank you for your story. Sorry for your loss. I am planning on doing the same thing on the Oasis of the Seas in March. If you are interested in having a burial at sea for one of your loved ones here is some information you need to do at least a month before your cruise. You need to send an email to, emergencytravelteam@rccl.com In the email you need the following information: the ship you will be on, the date of sailing and your booking number. They actually got back to me within 24 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Sea Dog Posted December 29, 2022 #20 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Thank you for sharing your experience. I too would like to be buried at sea. You have helped me understand the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ButterflyGirly Posted December 29, 2022 #21 Share Posted December 29, 2022 Thank you for taking the time to share your story. Peace to you and your family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#1packerfan Posted December 30, 2022 Author #22 Share Posted December 30, 2022 5 hours ago, nasa1974 said: #1packerfan, Thank you for your story. Sorry for your loss. I am planning on doing the same thing on the Oasis of the Seas in March. If you are interested in having a burial at sea for one of your loved ones here is some information you need to do at least a month before your cruise. You need to send an email to, emergencytravelteam@rccl.com In the email you need the following information: the ship you will be on, the date of sailing and your booking number. They actually got back to me within 24 hours. Yes they were very responsive with us as well. I hope everything goes as smoothly for you as it did for us, and my sympathy on the loss of your loved one. One of my sisters is also my TA so she took care of all the legwork for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graciekelli Posted December 30, 2022 #23 Share Posted December 30, 2022 Thank you for sharing this process and your experience. Please except my condolances for the loss of your son-in-law. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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