Can we scatter ashes at sea / can I carry ashes on board?
Committal of ashes at sea
Yes, it is possible to commit ashes from our ships at sea. Please note the ashes will not be scattered but committed to the sea in a biodegradable container. It is dependent on certain factors and requires approval from the Captain in advance of the start of your voyage.
In order for the committal of ashes to take place, the ashes must be stored within a biodegradable container and the cremation certificate needs to be brought on board. The Captain or a Senior Officer will accompany you to an outside area, typically a lower deck and if requested they will say a prayer. The ashes will remain in the biodegradable container for the committal and will not be scattered.
Flowers for the occasion can be purchased from the on board florist or brought on board from ashore as long as they are completely biodegradable. Once the committal has taken place, the Captain will normally provide you with location details from the entry in ship's log.
In order to submit your request, please contact the Customer Contact Centre (local call charges apply) prior to embarkation.
Once confirmed you will receive details via email / post. Times and dates may be restricted due to weather conditions and are finalised once on board. A committal of ashes approval is always subject to change.
Please note that the ceremony is not formal or religious and there is no charge to arrange a committal of ashes. The committal of ashes cannot be performed on voyages of five nights duration or less. The committal needs to be performed on a sea day and must be at least 12 nautical miles away from land.
Unfortunately, we are not permitted to commit the ashes of pets.
Requirements:
- The Certificate of Cremation will also need to be brought on board.
- Ashes must be stored within a biodegradable container, with certificate or equivalent proof, that this is a bio-degradable.
- This is because the ashes will be lowered in to the water and not physically scattered.
- The ashes will need to remain in the biodegradable container for the committal and will not be scattered outside of the container.
- Please note that the biodegradable container excludes plastic dissolvable bags.
Please note:
- The ceremony is not formal or religious.
- We are not permitted to scatter the ashes of pets.
- Once confirmed, the guest will receive details via email / post. Times and dates will be confirmed on board according to maritime law.
- The person wishing to commit the ashes must be booked on the cruise.
- When we send confirmation to the guest, we will also advise that the ashes have to be carried as part of hand luggage in a biodegradable container along with the Certificate of Cremation.
- Commitals are not always possible in protected areas of water – for example, the Norwegian Fjords.
- Commitals are subject to event availability and operational requirements.
Scattering ashes ashore
Should a guest wish to bring ashes on board with the intention to scatter them ashore, a certificate of cremation would be required and they must check the local rules in the relevant country regarding the private scattering of ashes. Guests would also need to seek correct approvals from the respective country to do this. Please note, Cunard would not be able to assist with this process and none of the ashes may be put over the side of the vessel either at sea or in port unless arranged prior. Please check this with the relevant Events team (email address below) by providing the guest's booking reference and the cruise code. The Events team will then notify the ship and Port Operations, in case there are issues joining at security
Bringing ashes on board (not to scatter)
Should a guest wish to bring ashes on board (not including pets) but does not intend to scatter them, please check this with the relevant Events team (email address above) by providing the guest's booking reference and the cruise code. The Events team will then notify the ship and Port Operations, in case there are issues joining at security. An example of an instance where a guest wishes to bring ashes on board would be in a memory bear.
Additional Information
Please call the Customer Contact Centre for support with arranging ashes to be brought on board.