Minna22 Posted July 3 #1 Share Posted July 3 We've booked a Carnival cruise, where they say they can escort us to a private place for sending a loved one's ashes into the sea. Using a biodegradable "urn." Has anyone ever done this? Any information is welcome, any suggestions? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike45LC Posted July 3 #2 Share Posted July 3 Run a search on this forum. There have been several discussions with good information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsn55 Posted July 3 #3 Share Posted July 3 I'm a Lutheran Buddhist, so ignore this post if might be offensive. Ashes, or 'cremains' as they are now called, are heavy. I'd forego anything formal, take a very small amount with you and scatter them without a container somewhere that appeals to you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanJ Posted July 3 #4 Share Posted July 3 11 minutes ago, jsn55 said: I'm a Lutheran Buddhist, so ignore this post if might be offensive. Ashes, or 'cremains' as they are now called, are heavy. I'd forego anything formal, take a very small amount with you and scatter them without a container somewhere that appeals to you. They do not want you to just spreading ashes into the air off the ship. The ship will be moving, it will be breezy and you may be several decks above the waterline. Dumping some ashes over the side will likely end with them spread around the side of the ship or on people. Carnival does have a formal process for this, and they will also give a certificate with the coordinates of where this ceremony took place. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsn55 Posted July 3 #5 Share Posted July 3 Just now, DanJ said: They do not want you to just spreading ashes into the air off the ship. The ship will be moving, it will be breezy and you may be several decks above the waterline. Dumping some ashes over the side will likely end with them spread around the side of the ship or on people. Carnival does have a formal process for this, and they will also give a certificate with the coordinates of where this ceremony took place. You're right, DanJ. I was counting on peoples' common sense to 'do it right', a major failing of mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mangrove Snapper Posted July 3 #6 Share Posted July 3 This is the information from Carnival. You will need to contact Guest Services as they have specific guidelines they will follow, and they will confirm the arrangements. https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1132/~/burial-at-sea---scattering-of-ashes I'm sorry for your loss. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ColeThornton Posted July 3 #7 Share Posted July 3 A recent similar thread: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare CoffeeGoddess Posted July 3 #8 Share Posted July 3 I did this with my mom's ashes on Royal on our Alaska trip in 2022. Definitely read all the requirements in the link Mangrove Snapper posted since they may be different then what Royal had and you want to make sure that you have the proper documentation. As for the biodegradable urn, I bought this one: https://www.thelivingurn.com/products/eco-water-urn The company was very responsive and was able to get me the biodegradable certificate I needed after one email after I received the urn. It was fairly easy to fill and seal and they give you glue to help seal it. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanadaydreaming Posted July 4 #9 Share Posted July 4 I would have never thought CCL would "allow" that. Nice to see things can still surprise and impress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted July 4 #10 Share Posted July 4 18 hours ago, havanadaydreaming said: I would have never thought CCL would "allow" that. Nice to see things can still surprise and impress. This is a frequent request Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Haljo1935 Posted July 5 #11 Share Posted July 5 On 7/2/2024 at 8:21 PM, jsn55 said: I'm a Lutheran Buddhist, so ignore this post if might be offensive. Ashes, or 'cremains' as they are now called, are heavy. I'd forego anything formal, take a very small amount with you and scatter them without a container somewhere that appeals to you. I hope I'm misinterpreting your post - surely you don't mean to just "scatter somewhere that appeals to you" from the ship. Maybe on land in an appropriate place, but not the ship. While there is a formal process, it is very easy to comply with and coordinate. CCL does a great job and is respectful during the entire process. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Haljo1935 Posted July 5 #12 Share Posted July 5 Condolences for your loss. @Minna22 we have done it. It is easy to set up. I started by calling CCL, they collected basic info such as our booking #, ship & sail dates then explained the process (basically what's in @Mangrove Snapper link post #6) and told me someone would contact me. I then got an email and followed the steps outlined in it. There are strict requirements the ship has to follow as to where you're allowed to release the ashes, so you may have to be a bit flexible as to timing and location. CCL was very respectful during the entire process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simplelife Posted July 5 #13 Share Posted July 5 On 7/2/2024 at 9:36 PM, DanJ said: They do not want you to just spreading ashes into the air off the ship. The ship will be moving, it will be breezy and you may be several decks above the waterline. Dumping some ashes over the side will likely end with them spread around the side of the ship or on people. Carnival does have a formal process for this, and they will also give a certificate with the coordinates of where this ceremony took place. Best to do this when the ship is not in motion, perhaps in a quiet place on an excursion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pyrate13 Posted July 5 #14 Share Posted July 5 This is what my children have been instructed to do with me. I'll join my parents and brother. I just don't get the biodegradable part. OK, I understand about plastics or glass and don't disagree with that not being allowed but a nice marble, or similar, urn? It would sink to the bottom and provide a base for corals, etc. After all, the various government agencies sink items such as ships, concrete structures, etc for just this purpose. Not looking to argue, just my thoughts and opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanJ Posted July 5 #15 Share Posted July 5 5 hours ago, simplelife said: Best to do this when the ship is not in motion, perhaps in a quiet place on an excursion. It's actually best to just contact the cruise line and do it the way their process allows. Especially if the wishes are to be at sea. This is not a rare request that they get, all the cruise lines have a "spreading of ashes" policy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
staceyglow Posted July 5 #16 Share Posted July 5 27 minutes ago, DanJ said: It's actually best to just contact the cruise line and do it the way their process allows. Especially if the wishes are to be at sea. This is not a rare request that they get, all the cruise lines have a "spreading of ashes" policy. Agreed. You are not allowed to throw anything off the side of the ship without formal permission. If you don't go through the proper channels, you risk a $500 fine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elaine5715 Posted July 6 #17 Share Posted July 6 9 hours ago, simplelife said: Best to do this when the ship is not in motion, perhaps in a quiet place on an excursion. If you try to put ashes overboard without assistance/approval of the ship, you will be in serious trouble. Same with leaving ashes in a public space on an island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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