Ashes sprinkled at sea: Yea or Nay?

[CanWeGoYet?]

Been pondering this lately, as I've read of many having their loved ones' ashes sprinkled at sea.

 

I recently went through the process of planning my Dad's funeral. Even though my parents had cemetery "real estate" already bought & generous pre-payed plans, the funeral home gets in there & seems there is always a way to squeeze more $ out. Hidden costs, unexpected expenses - I get the feeling they see how much $ is in the account & find a way to blow through it & then some.

 

So I started kicking around the possibility of planning to be cremated when the time comes, & getting my ashes sprinkled at sea. I realized that as much as I love being on a cruise ship, I don't think I want to get sprinkled at sea. My goal is to be on the ship, not in the water! I know it's dumb, after you have died the real "you" is not what's left behind. But as silly as it sounds it's where I'm at. Anyone else feel this way too? I love the idea of my loved ones getting together on a cruise afterwards - hopefully I will leave behind well enough that they can go on many cruises.

 

No flames please, I mean no disrespect to those who having lovingly done this for their family - I know for many this would be their preference.

[TravisBickle]

Either you have not articulated yourself clearly, or I am missing something (truth be known, I am NOT the sharpest knife in the drawer).

 

You write . . . .

. . .

 

So I started kicking around the possibility of planning to be cremated when the time comes, & getting my ashes sprinkled at sea. I realized that as much as I love being on a cruise ship, I don't think I want to get sprinkled at sea. . . .

( my emphasis added ).

 

So, do you want to be sprinkled at sea or not? Usually such a ceremony is conducted at a place significant for the deceased (e.g., favorite place to go sailing, view from their home, etc). And, there are normally costs involved (e.g., local permits, chartering a vessel, etc).

 

My personal opinion is to do as you wish (Why not?). And being the cheap curmudgeon that I am, I would do whatever is the minimally required list of items to do in order to leave more of my estate in the hands of my spouse instead of a funeral home, or government office.

[what to go here and there]

if i am understanding you, you would rather be left of the ship and not sprinkled on the sea.

 

But i like your concept of going on many cruises :D if possible.

 

I have not read anything that this has been done. I am not really sure if they would allow that.

 

With my luck if they did i would end up in the laundry or engine area :eek: if they did.

[FloridaGators]

They DO allow it and the ship will take you to a special area for the ceremony. Just contact Special Needs ahead of time.

[bythehex]

Been pondering this lately, as I've read of many having their loved ones' ashes sprinkled at sea.

 

I recently went through the process of planning my Dad's funeral. Even though my parents had cemetery "real estate" already bought & generous pre-payed plans, the funeral home gets in there & seems there is always a way to squeeze more $ out. Hidden costs, unexpected expenses - I get the feeling they see how much $ is in the account & find a way to blow through it & then some.

 

So I started kicking around the possibility of planning to be cremated when the time comes, & getting my ashes sprinkled at sea. I realized that as much as I love being on a cruise ship, I don't think I want to get sprinkled at sea. My goal is to be on the ship, not in the water! I know it's dumb, after you have died the real "you" is not what's left behind. But as silly as it sounds it's where I'm at. Anyone else feel this way too? I love the idea of my loved ones getting together on a cruise afterwards - hopefully I will leave behind well enough that they can go on many cruises.

 

No flames please, I mean no disrespect to those who having lovingly done this for their family - I know for many this would be their preference.

 

I understand exactly what you're saying. You've considered the idea of having your ashes scattered at sea, but decided against it. I'm kind of with you on this one.

 

I love cruising, but it's more about the experience of cruising per se. Love the ocean, but not sure I'd want my ashes scattered into the open sea.

 

As for my loved ones getting together on a cruise afterwards, that's definitely a great idea and it would be a perfect way to honor my memory, knowing it was something I loved so much!

 

Thanks for such a thought provoking topic!

[PR0318]

I have it in my last wishes. No furneral, where I am from. Out of my life insurance, pay for all of my close family to go on a cruise and have a little service at sea and dump my ashes somewhere in the Caribbean.

 

I am hoping that it doesn't happen for 47 yrs, shooting for 90.

[fergusonvt]

I have it in my last wishes. No furneral, where I am from. Out of my life insurance, pay for all of my close family to go on a cruise and have a little service at sea and dump my ashes somewhere in the Caribbean.

 

I am hoping that it doesn't happen for 47 yrs, shooting for 90.

 

I have done the same thing specifying no funeral, no wake, no large expenses. Cremation and ashes in some large body of water.

[Acklander]

I love the ocean, but am a little unnerved about just a generic scattering. I'm leaning toward one of the coral reef burials at the time. I get to be in the ocean but somewhat anchored. Also, good for the environment.

[chipq]

I too would prefered to be scattered either in Alaska waters or Caribbean depending what time of year I kick. But, this thread caused me to think of a niche market for the cruiselines to make extra cash (like they really need it). Either:

 

1.) Have a nautical special cabinette below deck where sealed vials of a loved one's remains can be stowed to cruise for ever. Or;

2.) Have a program that a loved one's ashes could be poured into a part of the ship during ship building process.

 

This works for those who do not care to be spread across the sea. Interesting topic.

 

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[StillPooh]

My Dad loved sailing on the Chesapeake Bay, and that is where we scattered his cremains. I don't see the same romance from being on a ship as being in the water (going back from whence we came and all that).

 

It's a very personal decision, and one you will need to make for yourself. Then be sure to articulate it for those who will be the ones to carry your wishes out!

[MrPete]

Been pondering this lately, as I've read of many having their loved ones' ashes sprinkled at sea.

 

I recently went through the process of planning my Dad's funeral. Even though my parents had cemetery "real estate" already bought & generous pre-payed plans, the funeral home gets in there & seems there is always a way to squeeze more $ out. Hidden costs, unexpected expenses - I get the feeling they see how much $ is in the account & find a way to blow through it & then some.

 

So I started kicking around the possibility of planning to be cremated when the time comes, & getting my ashes sprinkled at sea. I realized that as much as I love being on a cruise ship, I don't think I want to get sprinkled at sea. My goal is to be on the ship, not in the water! I know it's dumb, after you have died the real "you" is not what's left behind. But as silly as it sounds it's where I'm at. Anyone else feel this way too? I love the idea of my loved ones getting together on a cruise afterwards - hopefully I will leave behind well enough that they can go on many cruises.

 

No flames please, I mean no disrespect to those who having lovingly done this for their family - I know for many this would be their preference.

 

Seems Carnival is looking for nothing but cash these days, so I'm waiting for them to start selling out the urns on the Legend.

[Surfwench]

You can have your funeral director place your loved ones cremains in a nice biodegradeable container and that can be tossed into the sea. You wouldn't want to just 'scatter' the ashes as unexpected wind currents could spell disaster.

 

http://www.perfectmemorials.com/biodegradable-urns-c-284.html

[dad son team]

You can have your funeral director place your loved ones cremains in a nice biodegradeable container and that can be tossed into the sea. You wouldn't want to just 'scatter' the ashes as unexpected wind currents could spell disaster.

 

http://www.perfectmemorials.com/biodegradable-urns-c-284.html

 

I didn't know they made those. I told my BIL to put my in a cardboard box and drop me over the edge figuring the box would fall apart in time. I'll tell him to look into one of those when the time comes. I would rather my family take the money saved from a funeral and go on a cruise. My BIL said he would be glas to give me the full cruise experience and take me to the shows, casino, disco, etc, so if you are on a ship, and see a cardboard box playing blackjack, its probably me. My one request was to go overboard near Grand Cayman. I wouldn't mind spending time on 7 mile beach.

[freeholdfriends]

My husband did not want a large expensive funeral and we both agreed that cremation was the way for us. When he passed I had a one night viewing/ ceremony. He was cremated the next day. Several months later my best friend and I went on the Freedom because it stopped in Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach was one of my husband's favorite places on earth. He had lived with a serious heart condition which limited him for many years. However, he said he did not feel sick when he was in the water at Seven Mile. We went to the beach and I walked along and scattered some of his ashes as I walked. It was very peaceful and private.

[cj7238]

I too want to be cremated and my family go on a cruise and have already put this into place in my will. I also like the idea of being put somewhere on a cruise ship and sailing forever. I wish cruise ships would look into this. Glad to know there are others out there thinking like me!!

[Cigar Dude]

They DO allow it and the ship will take you to a special area for the ceremony. Just contact Special Needs ahead of time.

 

 

I know someone who had the ceremony performed and they were pleased.

[StillPooh]

I also like the idea of being put somewhere on a cruise ship and sailing forever. I wish cruise ships would look into this. Glad to know there are others out there thinking like me!!

While some of us might think that's cool, I'm guessing the majority of passengers would find it distasteful/bad luck/downright creepy to be cruising in a mausoleum. :eek:

[SadieN]

I have read that the family is given a certificate that has the coodinates of where the scattering took place.

 

I have read a few reviews of ashes being scattered at sea on CC.

[CanWeGoYet?]

Either you have not articulated yourself clearly, or I am missing something (truth be known, I am NOT the sharpest knife in the drawer).

 

 

So, do you want to be sprinkled at sea or not?

 

 

I probably didn't state it clearly - just blabbering about the process of considering being scattered off a cruise ship & then realizing it would not be for me.

 

I've been reading quite a bit on the topic. How "wildcat" scattering is becoming more common -which is the process of scattering the cremains surreptitiously, without authorization. I came across an article describing how one fairly young widow (40) took tiny amounts of her husbands ashes & scattered them at all the places he wanted to travel but never had a chance to. And she also gave some of the ashes to friends who were traveling places, if they were willing to help with the mission. To anyone curious, here's a link to the article. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703422904575039280799336638.html

 

I think I would love to wind up permanently on a cruise ship, but I doubt they will be adding this to their service list. I can understand some passengers would be creeped out by having a floating mausoleum section. And I wouldn't ask a friend or my son to scatter on the sly, I would just wind up in a vacuum cleaner bag most likely. :eek:

 

I have told my son "no drop off at sea" because with my love of cruising it might occur to him or be suggested to him as the perfect solution. I think enlisting friends & family to scatter ashes either places I loved traveling, or never had the chance to get to sounds great. Another option - pet cemeteries. If you have a pet buried in one, many will take human remains to bury with them. & they charge a lot less than human cemeteries.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/living/2014142385_buriedwithpets06.html

[jonbgd]

We have lots of family members floating around the Golden Gate bridge and SF bay. One day I will be there as well.

 

So If by chance I get my ashes tossed at sea by my GF I wont have a problem with it.

[Shipcats6]

Like the idea of being in the carribean for eternity.

[mousey]

Most cruise lines will do a private ceremony for you at sea but first you have to have a proper container that is ecologically appropriate. Passengers on the ship do not need to know about the ceremony as it is planned for a certain place and time to insure privacy.

 

When my youngest brother passed away this past April we were blessed to deal with a funeral home where the people who ran it were honest and very kind. Due to a lack of money on my three nephews' part the owner of the home said the least expensive way to contain their father's ashes was to have his remains put into a biodegradable paper container that would dissolve as soon as it hit the water. It was very pretty and came with a shell- shaped charm that you could untie from the box and plant in a garden. A beautiful flowering plant would grow from it. The boys decided to opt for that and on a beautiful sunny day we walked at low tide into the ocean in back of my brother's time share, which is on the Gulf of Mexico in FL and which he loved going to, and as I was reciting the 24th Psalm, my brother's favorite, his youngest son dove into the water with the box in his hands and let it go. It was a sad but beautiful moment knowing that he was one with the sea that he loved swimming in so much. When my nephew and I got back to shore all the family members there were crying and hugging each other in a circle. Again it was a sad but very loving moment which I will never forget. Now when I think of my baby brother (he was only 60 but the baby of our family just the same) I think of him as one with nature and therefor with God. It gives me peace.:)

 

So to answer the OP's question...I vote yea! I would like to become part of the sea.

[kcdancerkc]

Was looking into the artificial reefs they are creating for this but $$$

 

I want to be in the gulf of mexico off Navarre beach -

 

Scattered, Smotherd, Covered and Tossed

 

 

among the white sand and emerald waters!

 

:D Must get this in writing soon! BIG 50 coming sooooon!

[treasure4two]

Been pondering this lately, as I've read of many having their loved ones' ashes sprinkled at sea.

 

I recently went through the process of planning my Dad's funeral. Even though my parents had cemetery "real estate" already bought & generous pre-payed plans, the funeral home gets in there & seems there is always a way to squeeze more $ out. Hidden costs, unexpected expenses - I get the feeling they see how much $ is in the account & find a way to blow through it & then some.

 

So I started kicking around the possibility of planning to be cremated when the time comes, & getting my ashes sprinkled at sea. I realized that as much as I love being on a cruise ship, I don't think I want to get sprinkled at sea. My goal is to be on the ship, not in the water! I know it's dumb, after you have died the real "you" is not what's left behind. But as silly as it sounds it's where I'm at. Anyone else feel this way too? I love the idea of my loved ones getting together on a cruise afterwards - hopefully I will leave behind well enough that they can go on many cruises.

 

No flames please, I mean no disrespect to those who having lovingly done this for their family - I know for many this would be their preference.

 

I sprinkled my mother's ashes in the Ft. Lauderdale beach as the waves rolled out. My friend sprinkled her father's ashes on the edge of the NFL playing field as he was a big fan. I am concerned that if you sprinkle them on the actual ship, if that is what you are thinking, I think they will just sweep them away and they will go in the trash. Human ashes look more like kitty litter than cigarette ashes. I would say, from the lowest open level on the ship or when you are in port at a foregin country/island, might be a better thought. Just my 2 cents worth.

[beachseasand]

I have it in my last wishes. No furneral, where I am from. Out of my life insurance, pay for all of my close family to go on a cruise and have a little service at sea and dump my ashes somewhere in the Caribbean.

 

I am hoping that it doesn't happen for 47 yrs, shooting for 90.

 

This is what I have told my husband. Have the family go on a cruise and just do a small service then send me off in the Caribbean.

 

Ditto on hope it is many many years away.