Have you ever contemplated having ashes of your loved one scattered at sea? Or wanted to somehow memorialize a parent or spouse?

As we have reached a certain age, sadly loosing those near and dear to us is becoming part of our reality. Being on a cruise ship, especially over the holidays, we have met numerous recently widowed seniors who did not want to be home alone.

At our assigned dinner table of eight, we have three widows, that includes a daughter accompanying her mom, another couple and Tim and myself. Very quickly we all bonded and have become friends.

We were honored to be invited to attend a special memorial ceremony that had been arranged on board.

At dinner one evening, Jeanne and her mother, Linda, asked us to meet them at 4:20 the following afternoon in front of the elevators on deck 7, aft. This was a sea day. A crew member was also present and escorted our small group outside, and into a private section of the ship, all the way in the back. He brought four perfect white long stem roses with him.

The process was simple, yet done with kindness and love. Jeanne and Linda were presented with the roses and invited to toss them over the back railing whenever they were ready.

After tossing the roses overboard, both Linda and Jeanne spoke a few special words about their loved one. And at dinner that evening they shared this bookmark.

To arrange tossing ashes or a flower memorial on a Princess Cruise, follow these steps:

1. Contact the Cruise Line: Reach out to Princess Cruises before your trip to inform them of your intention to scatter ashes. They can provide specific guidelines and requirements.
2. Notify Onboard Staff: Once on board, notify a member of the ship’s crew about your plans. They will assist in arranging a suitable time and location for the ceremony.
3. Ceremony Details: Princess Cruises may offer a special ceremony for scattering ashes, which can include a dedicated space and support from the crew.
4. Legal Considerations: Ensure compliance with any legal requirements regarding the scattering of ashes at sea, which may vary by location

GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful to have been invited to share this touching moment with our new friends. It was an honor and a privilege to pay tribute to their beloved husband / father.