1. Who verifies that the ashes can be spread?

With our complete package we will verify with the cruise ship. It will be possible on the vast majority of cruises. However, certain itineraries may face challenges due to local environmental constraints. Only the ships Navigation team can verify this as they know the intended track the vessel will take and the environmental limits. If you have booked your own cruise and wish to have our compliance document ,we will need your itinerary details as we must verify the ship will be in a position to meet our requirements.

 

2. Can I choose the time of the ceremony?

Unfortunately the geographical position of the ship is going to be the primary influence on this. When considering suitable itineraries suitable the more sea days that you can include, the more likely the event can take place at a reasonable hour of the day. If you choose an itinerary with a port day every day. then the ship will only transit outside the environmental limits overnight. Once you board, the ship's Senior Officers will liaise with you.

 

3. Do I need a biodegradable urn?

Yes, Included in your purchase is a biodegradable urn, shipped directly to you. We provide the urn because it is not easy to place ashes directly into the sea from the ship as their scattering may be effected by unpredictable wind turbulence, which may cause some of ash to return toward the ship's structure. By utilizing a biodegradable urn, the ashes remain intact until contact with the water, ensuring 100% delivery.

 

4. What is involved at the time?

There is no standard procedure. It purely depends on your preferences. Please bear in mind that this is not a funeral service. Many people just like access to the ship's side in order to carry out the act themselves as opposed to having a prayer read out.
A Senior Ships Officer will be present at the time of your service – however, they are purely there for your safety and to assist where necessary as well as monitor the act itself. Specific arrangements after boarding are not covered in our package and are the responsibility of the customer.

 

5. Why can’t I simply carry out the act myself rather than pay the fee?

 The Environmental Protection Acts, as well as company policies prohibit any discharge of any type by passengers into the water. Heavy fines are applicable if anyone violates this requirement. Our policy checklist will be provided to you and a copy will be sent to the ship to be completed and returned to us. This checklist provides the necessary information required by the environmental agencies involved. After the act is complete, we submit the necessary documents to the specific agency.

 

6. What can I have noted on my World marker?

The minimum you can opt for is your unique reference code, name of ship, date and time as this information is made available to the environmental agencies as well as the Marine charities. If desired, you may also attach a photo and write a short obituary which can be called up. You can also choose not to add details to the marker. Only the required location details will be visible.

 

7. We would like to bury intact remains as opposed to cremated remains. Is this possible?

Although this is possible in certain circumstances, it is not a service that we can accommodate at this time.

 

8. Are photographers available on board? 

Yes. Both photographers and videographers are normally available on board, but this would bring an additional charge which is ship specific. This is an item which would normally be arranged and agreed directly with the ship, upon boarding. Our Cruise Adviser can make these arrangements for you if you so wish.

 

9. Do you add location for ashes spread on land?

Sorry but at this time we are not offering markers for land locations.

 

10. What kind of time lines are we looking at? 

This, of course depends greatly on how specific you are in regards to cruise ship, itinerary/destination. We require 7-21 days to deliver the urn to you, verify with the ship and complete the required paperwork.. The season obviously plays a major part in the process. The Caribbean itineraries will most likely be the quickest as certain ships now cruise this area year round. Cruising areas such as the Mediterranean or Alaska are seasonal as well as transitional cruises which sometimes only take place once or twice a year.

 

11. Do I need to provide a death certificate?

When the act is carried out within Bermudan waters a death certificate is required. The certificate will be held with us and presented only when requested by the Bermudan Government.

 

12. What happens to the Plan Ahead form?

Plan ahead is a free service. We provide the form as a means for you to let those involved in planning your funeral know what your final wishes are. We will keep a copy on file if ever needed as a reference.

 

13. Can I use your service for more than 1 act?

Yes. However you will require 2 separate urns and we will need to be notified of your intentions as our policy only covers one act.

 

14. I already have an urn, can I use your service?

We will require proof of purchase and the urn must meet our regulations. The urn must be approved by the Green Burial Council as a biodegradable water urn.

 

15. When do I receive my policy document/permit?

It may take up to 4 weeks for us to complete the necessary documentation. Once completed, we send the document to you, 30 days before your cruise takes place we will send the document to the ship for the captain to complete. The captain will verify that the documents match prior to carrying out the act.

 

16. What is on the document?

The document contains pre authorization from the cruise line, itinerary number, your name and urn verification and your unique reference id, signed and dated by us. The signature, reference id and date will be matched with the copy we send to the ship.

 

17. Can I be fined for not declaring my intentions?

The Cruise ship can be fined. With the strict laws that now apply, cruise ships may begin to refuse passengers the opportunity to have a funeral at sea. Purchasing our service will give you peace of mind that your celebration is within the law.

 

18. Who books my cruise?

You may book your cruise or have your travel agent or family member contact us to initiate our policy document/permit on your behalf. Providing this document and declaring your intentions to the cruise company ensures the funeral can take place within environmental regulations. Our administration service includes communication with the ship and cruise line.