The types of Burial at Sea - ash scattering services - vary greatly depending on the families desire. Many just have a quiet moment before the scattering or perhaps have a short prayer. The form that the scattering takes is completely up to you. Some families may wish to have clergy present or perhaps even to have the yacht captain say some words. The following services are approved by the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.
Just let us know you wishes and we will be happy to accommodate you in any manner we are able. Below are some simple poems/prayers that may be appropriate.
Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry; I am not there, I did not die. - - Anonymous.
When I am gone, release me - let me go I have so many things to see and do.- You must not tie yourself to me with tears - Be happy that we had so many years- I gave you love, you can only guess how much you gave me in happiness - I thank you for the love each have shown but now it is time I travelled alone - So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must, - then let your grief be comforted by trust - It is only for a while that we must part so bless those memories within your heart.- I will not be far away, for life goes on. so if you need me, call and I will come. - Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near - And if you listen with your heart, you will hear - All of my love around you, soft and clear.- Then when you must come this way alone, I will greet you with a smile and "welcome home" - - Anonymous.
Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you, whatever we were to each other that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name; speak to me in the easy way, which you always used. Put no difference into your tone; wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, and pray for me. Let my name be forever the same as it always was, let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it always was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity. I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. ··· All is well. -- Canon Scott Holland
Our revels are now ended. These our actors,
As I foretold you, were all spirits and
Are melted into air, into thin air;
And like the baseless fabric of this vision,
The cloud-cappd towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded in a sleep.William Shakespeare - The Tempest
