Need some synthetic ashes

[Lakewood90712]

We are finally having a memorial for our father , 3 mo after his death. Chartered a passenger ferry for dad's co-workers and extended family for scattering ashes at sea off the coast. This will be a symbolic event. I was going to hire a couple of bag-pipers too, but I'd be crying for sure.

I wish I spent some of this effort trying to improve his quality of life when he was alive.That's too late now .

The actual scattering of his ashes will be done privately by us three children wading into the surf at the beach he swam from for over 6 decades.

So I need some ideas of where to get some kind of artificial ash material for the
memorial on the boat.

Any Ideas ?

I'm done crying , I think , so Wisecracks are ok , as long as accompanied by a solution

[omni550]

Bonfire residue?

[gauss]

Veterinary Crematory?

[Mo Money]

Burn his favorite book and/or some of his favorite mementos?

[omni550]

Unclaimed or excess ashes from a crematorium?

[calmloki]

For symbolic use, perhaps white rice flour, available in the bulk food isles at Winco. Very white and heavier than wheat flour, so I am guessing it would throw or sprinkle better. Actual human ashes are kinda chunky and messy..

[Avalon]

Cremains don't look very much like fire ash at all from what I've seen. More like a course sand. If I were going to try and replicate it, I'd use bird grit from a pet store.

And I offer my condolences.

[NW-Bound]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakewood90712 Chartered a passenger ferry for dad's co-workers and extended family for scattering ashes at sea off the coast... The actual scattering of his ashes will be done privately by us three children wading into the surf at the beach he swam from for over 6 decades.

My condolences.

Why can't the ash be divided for the 2 events?

[easysurfer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo Money Burn his favorite book and/or some of his favorite mementos?

I like this idea.

Or even if you don't want to burn the original items, perhaps printed pictures of them. It's the thought that counts.

[Live And Learn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mo Money Burn his favorite book and/or some of his favorite mementos?

+1. What a lovely thought. Like Easysurfer said, if you don't want to burn the actuals items then photos are a great option.

My condolences on your loss.

[Lakewood90712]

Took a look in the plastic urn. Remains are fine powder. The crematory did a very good job of pulverizing the bone remains.Closest thing I found to it is rye flower.

We sent a his bible, favorite hot , shirt with the insignia of the co he worked for, along with his body when cremated. A few things to go along for the eternal journey.

[Moemg]

Sorry about your loss . I would pour out a small amount of the real ashes & use those .

[DAYDREAMER]

Just make sure to pour the ashes down wind. We didnt pay attention to the wind, and got ashes all over the boat. Mitch will be with the boat forever!

[W2R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by omni550 Unclaimed or excess ashes from a crematorium?

+1
I would think that the place that cremated him, would be happy to provide you with some excess ashes. It seems likely that they throw a lot out every day.

[powerplay]

I would think bonemeal (fertilizer) would be a reasonable substitute.

It's doubtful that any actual human cremains would be handed out by a crematorium. The cremains I received after a couple family members passed over the past 5 years had paperwork with them. There are also rules/laws about where you can legally spread human cremains and sometimes it requires a permit.

[Lakewood90712]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerplay I would think bonemeal (fertilizer) would be a reasonable substitute. It's doubtful that any actual human cremains would be handed out by a crematorium. The cremains I received after a couple family members passed over the past 5 years had paperwork with them. There are also rules/laws about where you can legally spread human cremains and sometimes it requires a permit.

We did have to get a permit from the county for burial at sea in coastal waters. (within 6 miles of shore). Surprisingly, it does not specify ashes only. I don't think the boat captain would be happy about non cremated remains , but I bet some people do desire to be sent off this way.

[Moemg]

One of my friends had a ceremony at sea where they just tossed a wreath of flowers and then scattered the ashes another day .

[Lakewood90712]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moemg One of my friends had a ceremony at sea where they just tossed a wreath of flowers and then scattered the ashes another day .

I think that will be the plan , Thanks

[Lakewood90712]

We decided to divide the ashes 5 ways. part for the internment off the coast with the family and friends group, part for the beach exactly were he liked to swim every day, 2 parts for the beaches he loved in Hawaii , and northern ca, and part to spread at the graves of his parents .

The sun broke out just as we left the harbor. The crew had done this many times before.They did an excellent job. Ashes in a basket with a solid bottom, covered with rose petals. The ashes could be seen as a momentary white cloud in the water surrounded by rose petals.

I had to ask an old family friend to read the epitaph , as I doubt any of us kids could make it through.

This boat charter was happy accommodate this type of charter , but does not advertise this service ( According to the deck hand, this captan always feels bad for the rest of the day whenever a funeral occurs on his boat).