It may seem a slightly morbid topic of conversation, especially as as recently as five years ago burials at sea just didn’t happen but in recent times it’s become a lot more popular.
Senior cruise director for Carnival John Heald explains: “really, this is a big trend. Every week I am asked by submissions on my blog… or Facebook page to organize ashes scatterings.”
According to Carnival spokesperson Vance Gulliksen, the line now organises over two hundred ashes scattering ceremonies each year.
To have the ceremony take place, you must bring the ashes on-board in a fully “leak proof” urn along with a valid Death Certificate.
The actual ceremony is then conducted by the ships Guest Services staff, in private, whilst not disrupting other guests on-board.
Heald said: “We organize the required paperwork, and a member of the staff helps organize the ceremony. When it’s finished, the family member is given a letter by the captain, signed by him, with the coordinates of the longitude and latitude of the ship’s position where the ashes are scattered.”
The ceremony is completely complimentary, and some of those scattered are ex-Carnival guests. “Some of our guests who have been with us for the past 30 or 40 years are passing away and they want to be buried at sea and I think it’s wonderful that we are able to do that,” Heald explains.
Would you think about scattering the ashes of your loved ones at sea? Is it a fitting tribute for a loved one?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
