| Burial at sea - Ash Scattering - is an increasingly | | | | at sea (ash scattering over the water). |
| popular option for families when saying goodbye to | | | | 1. Scattering directly from the container received |
| loved ones. Not only is it an environmental friendly | | | | from the cremation facility - The ashes are poured |
| alternative to traditional burial and rich in nautical | | | | directly into the water on the down wind side of the |
| tradition, it is also a much less expensive alternative | | | | boat. With this type of scattering it is necessary to |
| to traditional burial. It is often chosen when the loved | | | | be careful that the ashes land in the water and do |
| one had a special connection to the water (boating, | | | | not get blown back or stuck to the side of the |
| swimming, etc.) | | | | yacht. This method is only appropriate when you can |
| Services | | | | get close to the water. |
| Services are varied and are usually conducted by the | | | | 2. Scattering with the use of a bio-degradable urn - |
| family, sometimes with the captain of the vessel | | | | These urns are specifically designed to gradually |
| saying a few words such as "Commitment to the | | | | disperse the ashes back to the sea. A water-soluble |
| Deep". Formal clergy is usually not present but may | | | | urn will usually float for several minutes then slowly |
| be present if desired by the family. The ceremony is | | | | sink and then degrade or melt into the sea. The |
| conducted, music is often played and the ashes are | | | | family will often toss flowers or petals as a final |
| then scattered in the selected manner. In keeping | | | | tribute as the urn slowly drifts away on the current. |
| with nautical tradition, a ship's bell is struck eight | | | | It provides the family with a "going into the sunset" |
| times. This signifies the end of the watch - the on | | | | scenario. |
| duty period of a sailor's life at sea. | | | | 3. Scattering from a basket/container - The loved |
| Scattering ceremonies may be performed at any | | | | one's ashes are placed in basket/container with rose |
| location selected by the family, usually a location that | | | | petals placed on top. The basket is then lowered to |
| is relatively quiet in terms of boat traffic and water | | | | the water surface and the basket is inverted. The |
| disturbances. Recording the GPS position where the | | | | rose petals float on the surface and the ashes |
| ceremony takes place also makes memorable trips | | | | disperse in the ocean. Keepsakes - Retaining a |
| possible. This information may be used to create a | | | | Portion of the Remains |
| memorial certificate which can be sent to the family | | | | Although burial at sea is a beautiful way to say |
| a few days following the ceremony | | | | goodbye, some families will also choose to keep a |
| A burial at sea without remains is also possible and a | | | | small portion of the ashes as a keepsake. Keepsakes |
| memorial service can be performed and/or flowers | | | | take many forms such as small urns, teddy bears, |
| placed in the water. Although not strictly a burial at | | | | jewelry etc. Clients are often surprise at the myriad |
| sea, it does provide the family and friends with a | | | | ways remains may be retained. |
| form of closure to aid in the grieving process. | | | | Summary |
| Burials at sea may also be done for a beloved pet | | | | The percentage of families choosing cremation is |
| which has passed. Their loss is also very traumatic | | | | currently just under 40% in the United States and as |
| and must be grieved. | | | | this continues to increase, so will the percentage of |
| Methods of Performing Water Ash Scattering | | | | families choosing burial at sea. |
| There are three common ways to perform a burial | | | | |