Do I need to call back?? (scattering of ashes)

[Anyislandwilldo]

I talked to an agent at Carnival about scattering of ashes at sea and he told me that all I need to do is contact guest services once on board.  I had read previously that you need to call Carnival and set up a date and time.  Which is correct?  Do I need to call back or do I contact guest services once on the ship?  Thanks!!

[mz-s]

All the info is here. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1132/~/burial-at-sea---scattering-of-ashes

[1025cruise]

Make sure the urn is biodegradable. You don't actually scatter ashes, but just throw the urn over (you don't want to risk blowback). You can post to John Heald's FB page and he'll let the ship know, or just go to guest services once on board (which he'll tell you to do anyways). Then, they will give you a date/time that has been worked out with the environmental officer. You meet at guest services, get escorted to a location below deck, then are given private time to say goodbye. Once done, you'll receive a certificate telling you where you let your loved one go.

[nwcruiselover]

I did this recently, and arranged it through Guest Services once onboard.  They contacted me with the date and time after clearing it with the environmental officer and the bridge.  The time and place were such that the ashes could be scattered without blowback as they had assessed the wind conditions.  I chose to scatter a portion of the ashes then threw the urn with the remainder overboard.  There was a Guest Services rep and a security officer present.  It was handled very well.  The next day I was presented with an “official” document signed by the Captain showing the exact time and latitude/longitude where the ashes were scattered.

[Old Fart Cruisers]

43 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

Make sure the urn is biodegradable. You don't actually scatter ashes, but just throw the urn over (you don't want to risk blowback).

The container must be constructed of wood, plastic, cardboard or any non-lead based ceramic.

 

The urn DOES NOT have to be biodegradable if you actually plan on scattering the the ashes, but DOES have to be decompostable if you plan on throwing the ashes WITH the urn.

 

What is permitted:

• Scattering of human or animal ashes
• Decomposable containers for the remains
• If the guest wishes to disperse of the ashes with the urn, they must present a certificate that the urn is biodegradable. 

[nwcruiselover]

The urn I used was biodegradable and I had proof of that, but no one asked for it.  They just asked me if it was and took my word for it.

[babyclaytonmom]

We have a small portion of my brother's ashes in a small ziplock bag. The funeral home but some ashes in smaller bags for his siblings and my mom has the large urn. Is it a problem to scatter the ashes vs. having a biodegradable urn? So we are not "surprised" is there a charge for Carnival setting this up?

[mz-s]

21 minutes ago, babyclaytonmom said:

We have a small portion of my brother's ashes in a small ziplock bag. The funeral home but some ashes in smaller bags for his siblings and my mom has the large urn. Is it a problem to scatter the ashes vs. having a biodegradable urn? So we are not "surprised" is there a charge for Carnival setting this up?

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1132/~/burial-at-sea---scattering-of-ashes

 

As stated you only need a biodegradable receptacle if you are also remitting the receptacle to the sea.

 

There is no fee for this service.

Edited Sunday at 02:55 PM by mz-s

[babyclaytonmom]

7 minutes ago, mz-s said:

 

https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1132/~/burial-at-sea---scattering-of-ashes

saw this but no mention of a fee or not

[mz-s]

Just now, babyclaytonmom said:

saw this but no mention of a fee or not

 

There is no fee so no need to mention it...

[nwcruiselover]

No fee, and all the Carnival employees involved were very respectful and helpful.  The beautiful certificate presented the next day was in a padded folder with a photo of the ship, as well as precise details about the ash scattering.  A precious momento.

[chengkp75]

20 hours ago, babyclaytonmom said:

Is it a problem to scatter the ashes vs. having a biodegradable urn?

Note that Carnival is the only line that allows actually scattering of ashes.

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

Note that Carnival is the only line that allows actually scattering of ashes.

That is really interesting. I wonder why that is. 

[chengkp75]

6 minutes ago, jimbo5544 said:

That is really interesting. I wonder why that is. 

No idea.  It was only recently that I heard they allowed this, it hadn't been allowed before.

[jimbo5544]

Just now, chengkp75 said:

No idea.  It was only recently that I heard they allowed this, it hadn't been allowed before.

I had heard of it but I just assumed most main line lines followed suit.  Two come to mind (Hal and Princess) whose clientele are probably older, yet they do not offer it.  Huh 

[chengkp75]

1 hour ago, jimbo5544 said:

I had heard of it but I just assumed most main line lines followed suit.  Two come to mind (Hal and Princess) whose clientele are probably older, yet they do not offer it.  Huh 

They offer burial at sea, with an urn, just not actual scattering.

[jimbo5544]

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

They offer burial at sea, with an urn, just not actual scattering.

ahhhhhh, got it

[Knights on the Beach]

7 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

No idea.  It was only recently that I heard they allowed this, it hadn't been allowed before.

 

We were allowed to do this (open the plastic bag and scatter my MIL's ashes) on Carnival Valor in 2010.