OPTION 1 - Scatter Ashes with passengers present

Typically we travel out of the harbor about 45 minutes or so, come to a rest at which point the ashes are released. Flowers are often tossed into the water after which the vessel encircles the area and returns to port.

While an urn is not required, in fact most people don’t use one and simply scatter the ashes overboard we do recommend using biodegradable urns when an urn is used. It is also nice to watch the urn drift near the boat amongst the flowers and then eventually disappear beneath the surface. One of our charters even made their own paper "boat" which sank after about 5 minutes.

OPTION 2 - Hand off to us to scatter without passengers

Typically family and friends charter our boat to be present at the scattering. Another option is to have us scatter the ashes without your presence. We will scatter your loved one’s ashes and send you pictures and a screenshot of a GPS marker on the map where we scattered them. Depending on if we are picking up the ashes, or you are bringing them to us there may be a reduction in the full cost.

Arrangements can also be made to pick up ashes from the funeral home, or any other 3rd party if you wish.

Scattering the ashes of a loved one into the ocean can be an extraordinarily beautiful way to say goodbye. Many people love the idea of the ocean teaming with life. Many of our requests are related to the ocean, the whales and/or the wildlife having been a special place of significance to the deceased.

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Typically, there is no ceremony per sey, however, we can accommodate you if you wish to arrange a member of your religious denomination to conduct a cermony.

One of the nicest accompaniments (extra cost) is a bagpiper - let us know if this interests you and we’ll put you in touch with a local bagpiper who you can contract directly.

Doing this by boat as opposed to from the shoreline also lessens the chances of you being intruded upon.

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This is truly a journey of the heart and however you wish to say goodbye, in silence, spoken out loud or written on our heart shaped post-its for privacy. Your family will set the ashes free by gently lowering them into the ocean. You will then bear witness as the ashes’ transition into clouds that take shapes and colors.

This cloud will stay together in a loose formation and begin a brand new journey. We will ring the ship’s bell eight times (“End of Watch”) and on the last bell everyone tosses flowers overboard. This is the last act of letting go. We return to port while the ashes join the rest of life on their way to another world.

"On the other coast, Birds of a Feather Marine heads out every few weeks or so, into the whale-rich waters off Victoria, B.C., to help families scatter ashes. Two years ago, two sisters came to him with the remains of their mother, who had twice been whale watching and yet hadn’t seen a single one. But on the day her ashes were cast onto the water, BOAF Marine was able to get close to a pod of Orcas."