There is a new trend growing with scattering ashes. People are choosing to take cruises and scatter the ashes on water of their loved ones. While this is becoming more common, you need to know what the rules are on the cruise ship you are booked for.
Ask The Cruise Line Ahead Of Time
Be sure to talk with the cruise line ahead of time about your intentions of scattering ashes on water. They likely have a policy in place that will help you to properly and safely have your ceremony while on board.
If you are looking for a cruise ship that you can scatter ashes from, check out Carnival Cruise Line. They have a list of guidelines put together for passengers that want to have their water ceremonies during the cruise.
What Are The Carnival Cruise Line Guidelines?
There are a set of rules that you need to abide by while on one of these cruises. Here is what you need to be aware of.
-Get in touch with the Guest Service Desk after you get on the ship.
-The staff at Guest Services will work the Environmental & Occupational Safety Officer (EOSO) to see that the burial takes place safely.
-They will look at the itinerary of the ship and determine the best time and place for the ceremony to happen.
-It is important to note that the burial has to happen 12 nautical miles from shore.
-After the EOSO gets the information together about when and where the burial can take place, a staff member of Guest Services will get in touch with you.
-When it is time for the ceremony, someone from the ship will alert the family and take them to the location.
-Once the family is settled, the staff will give them the privacy they need for the ceremony.
-Your loved ones ashes can be scattered along with live flowers or biodegradable salt urns. Nothing that is plastic can be tossed into the ocean.
They have a very well written set of guidelines that you can go by in order to have your sea burial.
Benefits of Scattering From a Cruise Ship
There are many great benefits about scattering from a cruise ship. You are able to make a whole trip of the event and celebrate the life of your loved one for more than a short ceremony.
Since you are already out to sea and a process has been established by the cruise line, there is convenience in this way of doing things. You can prepare your memorial service with ease.
One of the downsides to scattering ashes while on a cruise ship, is that only those that pay for the cruise will be able to attend the memorial service. This will severely limit attendance. Some families prefer it that way. You have to decide what works best for your family.