Choosing Cremation: Options For A Burial At Sea
Posted on: 24 August 2016
When a loved one chooses cremation and wants to have a burial at sea, there are many different options available to make this special request a reality. Here are a few things to consider as you plan your loved one's memorial or funeral service to create a wonderful way to pay your final respects and honor his or her memory.
Have Two Funeral Services
If you will be taking your loved one's cremains out to sea as part the funeral, consider hosting two separate services. The boat you charter for the burial at sea may not be able to accommodate all of the people who want to pay their final respects, so hold one service at the funeral home, and reserve the service on the boat for close friends and family. This makes it easy for everyone to attend a service without having to coordinate a large group for a boat trip. Remember that you don't have to have the funeral home service before the burial at sea. With cremation, unlike a casket, you can opt to have the urn present or to simply hold a service at the funeral home after the burial at sea has been completed.
Select An Urn
You can choose to scatter the cremains, but you can also find many great options for urns specifically designed for burials at sea. These urns are biodegradable and come in a range of designs, from simple pillow-shaped packets to shell-shaped designs. Some are made of paper-like materials, and others are constructed from sand. You can even find special structures that incorporate your loved one's cremains into an ocean-friendly urn that slowly becomes an artificial reef for sea life.
Rent The Boat
Your funeral director can help you to find a boating company that offers special trips for burials at sea. Many times, the captain will perform a small ceremony for you, or you can choose to have a clergy member come on board for the journey. Depending on where you choose to go for the burial, you may need to have a permit for the services. Some boating companies can help you with this, while others require you to get the permits on your own. Be sure to ask your funeral director to help you acquire any paperwork you need for the service.
Choosing a burial at sea can be a beautiful way to honor a loved one's memory. If your loved one chooses cremation, consider these three tips to make sure you have the service you want for your friend or relative.
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