Our Monthly Tip:Celebrate Your Loved One with a Beach Memorial & Ash Scattering

Our Tip of the Month

A catered dinner will delight your guests and make organizing a beach memorial service much easier for you

The ocean is a place of comfort for many people — a natural landscape that promotes a sense of serenity and inner calm. Our connection to water is so deep and so universal, in fact, that some scientists believe it’s actually encoded into our DNA. Perhaps that’s one reason why many people choose to have their ashes scattered at sea and why a beach memorial seems like such a wonderful way to say goodbye to someone you love.

How-to Suggestions

Holding a beach memorial and ash scattering need not be labor-intensive if you plan ahead. Many surfside restaurants offer catering services, and most of them will supply everything you need, from linens and glassware to tables and chairs. They will also suggest a beach-friendly menu that can stand up to the heat. That means all you and your family need do is prepare the guest list and invitations. Depending on your budget, you may also wish to buy some memorial keepsakes for your guests.

Credit: ashesonthesea.wordpress.com

If you plan to hold an ash scattering service along with your memorial, make sure you choose a beach where you can launch a boat. Federal law prohibits ash scattering less than three nautical miles from shore, so let guests know the ceremony will entail a short trip before you sit down to eat. You can use this time to share memories of your loved one, deliver a eulogy, or spend some time in quiet reflection. Bring along some flower petals that your guests can toss onto the water when the ash scattering is done.

After the service, you and your guests can enjoy a delicious meal and each other’s company as you reflect further on your loved one’s life.