Funerals & Memorials At Sea: Honouring the Dead In Different Cultures
Posted by Myrna West on
Like the name suggests, a sea memorial is a funerary service held on a boat or other vessel out at sea. Most sea memorials take place some distance from the shore and involve a religious or personal service, the scattering of wreaths or flowers on the water, and individual speeches or tributes. Small candles may also be lit, and food may be provided. Often the vessel will circle around the site for a final farewell before returning to land. Upon request, the captain can provide longitude and latitude coordinates of the site for return visits or anniversary memorials in the future.
Of course, every memorial is different and the details are at the discretion of the organizers. At Fantasea Charters we can put you in touch with any number of services that you might need: from florists and catering to musicians and photographers.
A traditional Maritime Farewell for members of the navy is the service we see the most often, but there are many religions that allow or even encourage a memorial on the ocean. If you're considering a religious sea memorial, take a look at the information here and refer to your preferred religious advisor if you have any questions.
