What to Say When Scattering Ashes at Sea

Many people choose to honor their deceased loved ones by either giving them a sea burial or scattering their ashes at sea. While carrying out such a burial, one question that will often come to your mind is – “What words should I use during a sea burial or when spreading ashes at sea?”

Should you say a few words or none at all? Most of all, is it necessary or expected to say something when conducting a memorable “final voyage”? If you are planning a sea funeral for your loved one for the first time, you may have these questions in mind. So, it is better to be prepared in advance than to have to think and stress yourself at the last minute. In this article, we’ll talk about all these things and a lot more so that you can be fully ready and do things right during the ocean burial. Read on to find out what to say and equip yourself with lots of tips and ideas. [If you need expert help with the planning and arrangement of a perfect ocean burial, feel free to reach out to Burial at Sea Services in San Pedro, California.]

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Land Cremation vs Sea Burial

Unlike in land burials, sea burials or scattering of ashes in the sea require you to abide by certain laws and regulations.

If you are planning a sea burial for your loved one, you should make yourself aware of the maritime regulations. With professional sea burial services by your side, you can ensure that you know what these rules are and then follow them in a proper manner to avoid any kind of hassle. In a land burial, you have a spiritual leader to conduct the burial ceremony in a proper manner without worrying about what words to say. But sea burials are different. You will need to plan the informal cremation ceremony yourself as well as choose what words should be said, as per the thoughts and beliefs of the deceased person or their family and friends.

That is exactly why it becomes even more important to decide ahead of time as to what you will say during the sea burial or while throwing the ashes in the ocean. You can plan to recite a poem, a quote, or some text that is meaningful, a reflection of the personality of the deceased, and in accordance with your religion or faith. You need to be fully ready to say what you want to say.

Meaningful Quotes for Scattering Ashes

It is a good idea to read quotes while scattering ashes of a deceased loved one in the ocean. People use quotes because they are simple as well as meaningful. The good news is that there is no dearth of beautiful quotes and you can use them not just while spreading ashes, but also before and after scattering ashes. There are quotes that depict a religious belief. You will also find quotes that are secular, cutting across all faiths and religions in the world.

Given below are some of the most meaningful quotes that you can mention at the sea burial of your loved ones.

“Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.”

This quote is a tribute to a deceased who has lived his or her life in a wise manner. If the departed loved one is someone who fought all the difficult situations in life and still came out stronger, this quote is a fitting one. This quote doesn’t just signify the meaningful life of the deceased, but it also provides comfort to their grieving family and friends at a time when it is needed the most.

“Lives are like rivers: Eventually they go where they must. Not where we want them to.” — Richard Russo, author

Although humans are mortal, the passing away of someone is an event that fills hearts with pain, sorrow, and grief. It is impossible to know when someone will die. But since it is a fact, we should accept it. That is exactly what the quote means. It allows the grieving family of the deceased loved one to acknowledge that death is certain and find solace at the critical moment as a result.

“Every man’s life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another.”

Ernest Miller Hemingway was an American novelist and writer. This is a popular quote that stresses on the well-known fact: Death is part of life. While it tells us that death is inescapable, what it also lets us know is that what really matters is how someone actually lived their life. It provides comfort as well as motivates others to live their life in a way that has meaning.

“Perhaps they are not stars but rather openings in heaven where the love of our lost ones shines down to let us know they are happy.” — Eskimo legend

Whenever someone in our family leaves this world, what do we wish for them? All we wish for them is that they have a happy afterlife. We pray for their peace in the world hereafter. The quote helps us think of the departed loved one as an angel who has traveled from one world to another. Though this kind of thought is not scientifically valid, it does provide comfort to the family.

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” — Abraham Lincoln, Sixteenth President of the United States

The quote by Lincoln beautifully summarizes the value of a wise and meaningful life. It is quite painful to lose someone. But if that person lived their life in the best way, you can mention this quote and find solace.

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.” Thomas Campbell

While grieving someone’s death, what their family and near and dear ones need the most is patience and comfort. The quote reminds us that the deceased person has not died, but he or she still lives in the hearts of people due to their good deeds, kindness, and love for others.

Likewise, there are multiple other quotes by novelists, writers, and famous personalities to be mentioned during a burial ceremony. Whether you are conducting a full-body casket sea burial or scattering the remains in the sea, you can choose a fitting quote, based on the quality of life of the deceased person, in order to honor their soul and find patience and comfort for yourself.

Poems for Ashes Buried at Sea

Not just quotes, you can also read poems at the sea funeral or ash scattering ceremony of your departed loved ones. Poems are not just meaningful and rhythmic, but they also touch the heart’s strings. There are countless poems that you can recite at an ocean burial ceremony to dignify the soul of your loved one and honor their soul as they travel to the next, permanent world.

Here are some of the most beautiful, well-crafted poems that you can recite before and after scattering of ashes or at a sea burial.

Remember

By Christina Rossetti.

Remember me when I am gone away,

gone far away into the silent land;

When you can no more hold me by the hand,

nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more day by day

you tell me of the future that you planned;

Only remember me; you understand

it will be late to counsel then or pray.

Yet, if you should forget me for a while

and afterward, remember, do not grieve:

For if the darkness and corruption leave

a vestige of the thoughts that once I had,

better by far you should forget and smile

Than that you should remember and be sad.

At a moment of grief, people usually look at the departed person from the perspective of the mourners. In this beautiful poem, Christina talks about grief from the viewpoint of the person who is being mourned. She accesses various themes such as life, memory, love, and loss. The beautiful thing about the poem is that the speaker wishes for the listener to remember her after she has gone. The speaker demands not to be forgotten. So, the major theme of Christina’s poem is “remembrance”, hence the title. It is a nice poem to be recited at someone’s funeral.

Honor and comfort

By A. C. Swinburne

From too much love of living,

From hope and fear set free,

We thank with brief thanksgiving

Whatever gods may be

That no life lives for ever;

That dead men rise up never;

That even the weariest river winds somewhere safe to sea

If you have planned a deceased loved one’s funeral at sea, this is a good poem to honor their soul and find comfort in a grieving moment. The poem talks about living life to the fullest and the soul of the departed person set free from all the burdens of everyday life. It reminds us that death is permanent and everyone has to face this moment and meet with their creator at last.

You can recite these lines to honor the departed loved one and feel comfort believing he or she has traveled to a safe place.

I must go down to the sea again

By Spike Milligan

I must go down to the sea again,

to the lonely sea and the sky;

I left my shoes and socks there – I wonder if they’re dry?

This is a short, sweet and funny poem. If you plan for ocean ash spreading or a full-body sea burial, it is a fitting one.

Though there are several poems like these, each one has a theme, tone, and meaning of its own. Based on what you like and what is most suitable to the life of the person you have lost, you can choose to recite solemn, life-affirming, funny or popular poems. Other examples of famous poems for cremations at sea include “Stop all the clocks” by W. H. Auden, “Do not go gentle into that good night” by Dylan Thomas, “She is gone” by David Harkins, “She’s in the sun, the wind, the rain” by Christy Ann Martine, “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred Lord Tennyson, etc.

Biblical Verses for Sea Funerals

The Bible has multiple verses that families can say before and after the sea funeral or sea burial of their loved ones. Using Christian text is a good idea if you or the departed loved one was religious.

Whether you are looking for comfort from grief, a reminder of God’s love or His grace and love, there are several Biblical verses to choose from. Psalms 30:2, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 62:1, Psalms 147:3, Luke 6:21 and John 16:22 are ideal texts that can be said at the funeral ceremony of a loved one. Likewise, there are verses to remember God’s grace, compassion and love.

In fact, there are specific verses you can say and find comfort when mourning the loss of a father, a mother or a child.

Hindu Prayers for Scattering Ashes at Sea

When it comes to a cremation or ash scattering ceremony, Hindus adhere to a strict set of rules. For example, a traditional chant for Hindu families is “Naarayana… Naarayana… Naarayana.” It is a regular practice for Hindus to recite or chant text from religious scriptures such as the Vedas and the Bhagavad Gita. Usually, Hindus chant these texts to place their focus on God.

What to Say When Scattering a Parent’s Ashes

There is nothing easy about saying goodbye to a parent. At the time when you scatter the parent’s ashes, you may face difficulties choosing the right words because it is hard to come up with anything good. However, the truth is that you should use simple and heartfelt words.

You can tell some stories, say thanks, or just express gratitude and explain what your parent meant to you. Here are some examples of how you can do it:

*”We pay tribute and remember a parent who made our life beautiful and full of love. Thank you for your memories, love, and everything you taught us. No matter what happened today, your love is still in our hearts.”*

Or:

*”Thank you for everything you did for me, your unconditional love, and all the memories I have in my head now. You will never be forgotten by us.”*

Others prefer to recite poems, pray, tell stories, and simply stay silent and think. The best thing that you can do is choose a way that reflects your relationship with your parent.

Things to Say when Scattering a Spouse’s Ashes

The death of a spouse entails the loss of a companion who has shared some unique elements of your life – your memories, aspirations, experiences. While the process of scattering ashes of a spouse requires you to find some words, you should not worry too much about making a perfect speech. Sometimes, a couple of sincere words might express your feelings in the best possible way.

You may decide to remind yourself about some precious moments spent with each other, your mutual affection, or some unique details of your relationship.

For example, you may say:

*”Today, I bid farewell to a wonderful companion who made an integral part of my life for many years. Thank you for the love, happiness, and memories that I have created with you. Even though you will never be by my side anymore, you will remain in my heart.”*

Or something shorter like this:

*”I would like to thank you for the wonderful life we spent together, the love which you have given to me, and the precious memories that I will always cherish in my memory. I will always carry you with me.”*

You may recite a poem, read out a prayer, sing a song, or say some words during the scattering of your spouse’s ashes ceremony. There are many ways to say goodbye and the most important thing is that you express your own feelings.

What to Say Before, During, and After Scattering Ashes

Finding the right words when scattering ashes is not always easy. Many people worry about saying the “perfect” thing, but there is no right or wrong way to say goodbye. The most meaningful words usually come from your own memories, feelings, and the special connection you shared with your loved one.

Before Scattering Ashes

Before the ashes are scattered, you may want to share a favorite memory, talk about what this person meant to you, or simply explain why this place feels meaningful.

You might say:

“We are here today to honor and remember someone who brought so much love and happiness into our lives. As we return their ashes to the sea, we carry their memories with us forever.”

During the Ash Scattering

This moment can be simple and personal. Some families choose a short farewell, a favorite quote, a prayer, or a few words from the heart.

You might say:

“May you find peace in the beauty of the ocean. Thank you for the love and memories you gave us. You will always be remembered.”

After Scattering Ashes

After the ceremony, many families take a quiet moment to reflect, share stories, or say a final goodbye.

You might say:

“Although we cannot see you anymore, the love we shared will always remain. Your memory will continue to live in our hearts.”

There is no perfect script for saying goodbye. Whether your words are a few simple sentences or a longer message filled with memories, what matters most is that they come from the heart.

Tips on Finding the Right Words to Say

Emotions weigh heavy at a cremation ceremony. Unless you plan and prepare for what to say in advance, you cannot be sure whether you’ll say the words or the prayer in a proper and correct manner.

The best idea is to write out what you plan to say or recite at the funeral. Most of all, you should select words, quotes, or poems that reflect the person that the departed loved one was. You should try to remember the deceased person by their deeds and how the person lived their life. Do not forget to take into account the faith and religious beliefs of the loved one. What you have chosen to say should come straight from your heart. Also, it is fine to give other family members, friends, and peers a chance to share their memories and thoughts about the deceased person.

Frequently Asked Questions About What to Say When Scattering Ashes

1-What are some things that can be said when scattering ashes?

There is no correct thing to say during ash scattering ceremonies. People may speak about how they will remember the deceased, say some words of love and appreciation, pray or read a poem.

2- Is it necessary to prepare the speech before scattering ashes?

No. You can either come up with a speech beforehand or simply let yourself speak without any preparation. Most important here is the sincerity of the words.

3- What are some good things to say when scattering ashes?

The message does not necessarily have to be lengthy to be heartfelt. For instance, one may say something like “You will be remembered and loved forever,” “Thank you for the memories we had together,” or “May you rest in peace.”

4- Can one recite a poem or pray during the ceremony?

Yes. Families usually include poetry or prayers in the ash scattering ceremony depending on personal preferences of the one who is being honored.

5- Is there a certain order of speaking at the ash scattering ceremony?

There is no particular order that must be followed by the ceremony. For instance, one may start with some words of remembrance, scatter the ashes and finish with a poem or prayer.

6-  What is to be done if I don’t know what to say during an ash scattering ceremony?

You may feel unprepared, but there is nothing wrong with it. One could just say “I love you” or “Thank you.”

Are You Planning a Sea Funeral?

If you wish to plan out a dignified and memorable full-body sea burial or ash scattering in the ocean, you should seek the help of professionals who specialize in sea burial. Burial at Sea is a highly trusted service to plan, arrange, and conduct sea funerals in an appropriate manner. Based in San Pedro, CA, the company provides full-body casket burial and scattering of ashes at sea off the coast of San Pedro, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, and Catalina Island. Our services also include charter boat hire for carrying out ocean burials.

For your consultation with one of our specialists, you should give our office a phone call or write us an email using the contact form.