How to Scatter Cremation Ashes at Sea — An Interview with Dave Gallegioni

Dave Gallegioni, Captain of the Dolce Vita 3, Owner of SF Bay Boat Memorials

Dave Gallegioni is the Captain of the Dolce Vita 3, and the owner of the San Francisco based, family-owned and operated SF Bay Boat Memorials, which charters out to families and individuals who want to scatter their loved ones ashes at sea. Scattering ashes at sea requires a special permitting process, as well as the ability to pilot a boat. Mr. Gallegioni sat down with SevenPonds, and told us a little bit about what he does.

Antal: Thanks for speaking with us, Dave. Tell us a little about the services at SF Bay Boat Memorials.

Dave: We are a family-owned and operated, San Franciso Bay, local business specializing in affordable, private ash scattering memorials, and we primarily service the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate. We have two options. The first is, families can scatter cremation ashes in non-witness form — that is, someone will send us the remains and we will scatter them at the family’s designated place. We can take pictures, complete a scattering certificate, file all of the necessary permits with the EPA and the appropriate county. Our other option is to charter a memorial cruise of 6 passengers or less, anywhere throughout the Bay, or a customized location by request, at $250 per hour past the initial cost, which stands at $425. This offers people an opportunity to scatter their loved one’s ashes themselves. We take them to the coves all around the shoreline, to the entrances to the Golden Gate, to Richardson Bluff. Alcatraz is a popular choice as well.

Antal: Who are your customers, typically?

Dave: Well, we work a lot with local mortuaries in the Bay Area. The directors will sometimes refer their customers to us. People contact us through the internet, mostly family members of the passed, close friends, that sort of thing, people who want to send off their family members in a memorable way.

Antal: How do customers personalize their service?

Dave: That all depends on the customers, really. There are lots of options, and a lot of the time it depends on religious beliefs. They are welcome to include a clergy member among the 6 passengers, to bring flowers to scatter with the ashes, to bring a memorial, or any special music on a CD or iPod that has special meaning. Families often want to offer up their own tribute. I’ve been doing this for many years now, and each and every request I’ve gotten has been different in its own unique way. Everyone brings their own requests, their own certain quality to their memorial.

View from the Dolce Vita 3

Antal: What are some services you offer, or considerations that people who are thinking about scattering ashes at sea might not know about?

Dave: SF Bay Boat Memorials, of which I am the sole owner, offers full Bay tours all along the San Francisco waterfront if people so desire, and we can visit key areas, before or after we scatter the ashes. Sometimes people even like to go to McCovey Cove and catch a baseball game and lunch. We’ll be offering cruises during the America’s Cup. We can go to Angel Island for picnic lunch. Extended travel time has its own fees.

Antal: Are there any laws people have to think about? Regarding the level of the tide, hour of the day, that sort of thing?

Dave: We’re required to scatter ashes at least 500 yards offshore, but that’s really the only strict law about scattering ashes. You can charter a vessel for the morning, the afternoon, the evening, even throughout the day. It’s really up to you.

Antal: Do you have any final words to leave with our readers?

Dave: Just that a memorial doesn’t have to be a sad occasion. There can be a lot of beauty in the ceremony. Scattering at sea is really a nice way to bring finality to a person’s life. People come away feeling satisfied, like they did their loved one right in the end. It is a nice final memory to take away.

Antal: Thank you so much for speaking with us, Dave.

Dave: No problem at all.

Dave Gallegioni offers ash scattering services and San Francisco Bay cruises throughout the week. You can reach him by e-mail at captdave@sfbayboatmemorials.com, or by phone at 415-720-6908. You can also check out their website: www.sfbayboatmemorials.com.