For PAM in California

[lois1112]

Hi pam,

you posted quite a while ago about a memorial you had for your brother while on a princess cruise (I hope it was a brother..........it was a while ago read it)

 

My mother passed recently and loved to cruise and loved the ocean. My sister and I are taking a cruise in her memory in January and would like to do something similar to what you described (with the wreath and outdoors)

 

I've contacted princess, and the person I've been in contact with has been wonderful, but they want us to do a service in the chappel..........how did you arrange yours

 

I know you ended up not tossing the wreath........but we would like to........do you know if that is possible

 

I want to thank you in advance........for this and all your wonderul post.

Lois (also from California)

[Pam in CA]

Lois, thanks for the inquiry. We did toss the wreath... and it was my brother-in-law.

 

My condolences on the passing of your mother. Our experience with Princess was excellent. In retrospect, it was the absolutely right thing to do and my brother-in-law would have loved it. Now, when we take a Mexican Riviera cruise, we say, "Hi, Jim" somewhere off Puerto Vallarta. :)

 

Here's the link to my original post. I don't know if the process has changed but it's a good place to start. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1343418

 

Here's a photo of the wreath.

 

[shredie]

That wreath is beautiful. I wouldn't think flowers would be a problem tossed over the side, but I don't know the rules. Sorry for your loss, Lois.

[janecambridge]

What a wonderful idea.

 

It is such a memorable way to think of loved ones.:)

 

Hope you get the day you wish for your mum....:)

Edited October 9, 2014 by janecambridge

[Pam in CA]

That wreath is beautiful. I wouldn't think flowers would be a problem tossed over the side, but I don't know the rules. Sorry for your loss, Lois.

Flowers are not a problem. Any non-biodegradable container is. After distributing Jim's ashes, it was time to toss the wreath. My sister jokingly said, "Do we have to?" Uh, yeah. :)

 

I've told my daughter this is what I want. :)

[venicecruiser]

While on Grand Princess in the Caribbean in 2012, I put my late husband's ashes into the Caribbean Sea.

 

Princess was very helpful and it was arranged before the cruise. I did not receive a wreath, but part of the aft deck on Deck 7 was closed so I could do this. An officer went with me, told me to take as much time as I needed, and then stood several feet away from me. The captain sent me a note the next day with the exact coordinates of where the ashes were dropped into the sea.

 

My husband was British, loved the Caribbean, and this was his wish. I'm so glad I was able to do what he wanted..........

 

Claudia

[CruisinChris]

We also had a memorial at sea for my dear, lovely mother (and cruise buddy) who passed away in 2008. Princess was wonderful. My agent communicated with HQ (Operations) to make the original request and have it approved. We were told that her ashes needed to be in an biodegradable, sea-friendly urn. The local folks here in Chicago had such an option (lovely shaped like a scallop shell). We were contacted by the Purser's desk after we arrived on the ship and made arrangements for the date and time. This was approved by the Captain to ensure we were in international waters. (We were on the Coral). We met at the Purser's desk and were escorted by a senior purser and a security office to the aft Bosun's deck below the Promenade. (line handling area). The crew in the area politely stood off the the side while we said our prayers and tossed the urn into the sea. It was a touching tribute to a lady who loved the ocean and loved Princess. The next day we received a lovely note which contained the exact coordinates.

[shredie]

The next day we received a lovely note which contained the exact coordinates.

 

That is so nice!

[lois1112]

Thank you so much Pam! I have recontacted princess

[cibaygirls]

What beautiful stories... I too am going to have to share these ideas with my husband.

[SingerEsq]

I had no idea Princess did this. What wonderful stories.

 

Not that I plan on using it soon, but gonna have to revise my Advance Directive! Just not sure where I would want to be scattered. :confused:

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

I love cruising but it's something that have always done with my husband. I couldn't think of doing it without him. If this ever happened to us, that would be my last cruise. I'm glad Princess does this for people.

[lois1112]

Just got back from the cruise that we did the memorial for my mom. Princess did a wonderful job.

Thank you Pam for your help

[shredie]

Just got back from the cruise that we did the memorial for my mom. Princess did a wonderful job.

Thank you Pam for your help

 

I'm glad it worked out for you.

[Kingofcool1947]

Isn't it against Princess rules to throw objects including memorial wreaths and cremated ashes overboard, as it pollutes the ocean? There were signs on the deck of star, saying not to throw objects overboard and to respect the sea.

 

I suppose Princess makes exceptions to memorial wreaths, and cremated ashes thrown overboard.

 

Is there a charge to have the memorial service held in the ships chapel? Minister, Priest, or Rabbi can preside if one is aboard?

Edited January 20, 2015 by Kingofcool1947

[TracieABD]

Just got back from the cruise that we did the memorial for my mom. Princess did a wonderful job.

Thank you Pam for your help

 

I am so glad you were able to fulfill your mother's wishes. It is nice to know that Princess has a process for this and you could avail yourselves of this option.

 

My thoughts are with you and your family.

[lois1112]

Isn't it against Princess rules to throw objects including memorial wreaths and cremated ashes overboard, as it pollutes the ocean? There were signs on the deck of star, saying not to throw objects overboard and to respect the sea.

 

I suppose Princess makes exceptions to memorial wreaths, and cremated ashes thrown overboard.

 

Is there a charge to have the memorial service held in the ships chapel? Minister, Priest, or Rabbi can preside if one is aboard?

 

no they made sure it (the wreath) was biodegradable...and we got permission prior to sailing (arrangements were made prior to boarding)

[Pam in CA]

Just got back from the cruise that we did the memorial for my mom. Princess did a wonderful job.

Thank you Pam for your help

You're welcome. So glad it was a positive experience for you. It's a difficult time and when everything works out, that makes it easier. Now, whenever I take a Mexican cruise that goes further south than Mazatlan, I say, "Hi, Jim!" :) I know he's there somewhere. I've given the instructions to my daughter that this is what I want.

[Katies12]

This is a great idea. Will have to let family know this is what I want also.

Thanks again for the info.

[BassettMom]

There is a company that will handle this. Google My Final Cruise. It does talk about the environmental aspects and what's needed. It's interesting and is one option, especially if you want to do this, but your surviving family members don't cruise since the company can handle that aspect. The virtual map they have is nice too.

[Boytjie]

Our experience on HAL was just as good as Pam and others have described. (Scattering ashes of a friend)

 

We asked beforehand about tossing flowers and that was OK, as long as it was just flowers, all natural. We brought his favorite flowers on board at a port and each had a flower to scatter along with the ashes.

[chris2597]

Is there a charge for this type of service?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[sashas_mom]

Hi Lois,

 

I just came across this thread and wanted to give my condolences to you and your sister. So sorry to hear of your loss.

 

Warm regards,

Eileen

[CruisinChris]

Isn't it against Princess rules to throw objects including memorial wreaths and cremated ashes overboard, as it pollutes the ocean? There were signs on the deck of star, saying not to throw objects overboard and to respect the sea.

 

I suppose Princess makes exceptions to memorial wreaths, and cremated ashes thrown overboard.

 

Is there a charge to have the memorial service held in the ships chapel? Minister, Priest, or Rabbi can preside if one is aboard?

 

There are special urns that are designed for this purpose that are environmentally friendly (and I was requested by Princess to use one. The crematory took care of that). (google: biodegradable sea urns). Flowers are organic and decompose naturally. And again, all this was done with advance permission and under Princess supervision.

 

There was no charge. We could have had access to space for a memorial service, but it was just the two of us and we wanted to keep it simple.

 

To the previous poster who commented that she can't bear the thought of cruising without her husband - I can totally understand. Cruising was something very special that my mom and I shared. It was very hard to go back without her, but I love it too much to never go again. I think of her every time I step onboard. She sails with me still.