setting an anchor / spreading ashes

[pine island fred]

Dont know if I mentioned this a long time ago or not. Been hearing a lot about this lately. Live on an island, boats all around both commercial and recreational, clams, mullet, crabs but not to much fish since the net bans. People who are cremated, even if they were not water people, want their ashes spread in the gulf or sound. Me to!
Who ever is responsible goes out and buys a big, new fluke anchor. Everyone meets up and anchors in a cluster and writes their farewell message on the anchor, says what they want to say after which the anchor is thrown over along with flowers and the ashes. Then the party starts. Sounds like a nice way to be sent off.
Women on the next canal says she dumped her husbands ashes in her canal and they kept coming in and out on the tides. Guess they float! Could not get ride of him. Another aquaitance says his brother has a responsibility for when he passes. Are more than enough $$$s set aside for free drinks starting at the first tavern at the tip of the island and everyone works their way up till we run out of people or bars. Thats the kind of place this is.
Has anyone else heard of anything similar ? Dont know how true it is. Some say a PERMIT is required to spread ashes on the water. Good luck but maybe if you use a commercial guy, he is required to have one. regards FRED

 

[JoLin]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

We spread my Dad's ashes in the bay in 2001. Each of us said a few words and dropped some of the ashes into the water until the urn was empty. Nothing new about spreading ashes in an area that the person loved when they were alive. People have giving loved ones a send-off like that for forever.

I don't know wtf is up with the anchor idea- they leave it there to rust away in the water?!? Wonderful- honor the relative's memory by adding to the pollution of the water you spread his/her ashes in? Sorry for the tone, but that's a pretty brainless addition to the ceremony.

My .02

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

Yeah I don't get the anchor thing either, for me I would rather just a few friends and family go out say what they feel and pour me out with a Corona, no flowers just have one more beer with me.

Thing is I have already have my final place figured out it will be high in the mountains near timberline, me and my best friend of 20 years, both of us have it in our wills. For us its about being in a place where we have challenged ourselves to our limits and tempted our own mortality, but found where we are whole with nature, spiritual in our own way. Toss our ashes to the wind but leave no trace behind.......

 

[sasto]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

We recently lost a friend and spread his ashes in the ICW. My research conducted, as others, found that no permit is needed in FL. Ashes may not be spread on inland waters such as rivers or lakes.

If you find anything different, Fred, let us know.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

The thing about the required permits is just what I heard. Ashes have been spread around for a long time, but the setting of the anchor is a bit uncommon to me but I think it is a nice gesture. Being done by boating people, I have to assume that it is done in one of those favorite spots which they frequented and the anchor is set deep enough so a prop will not hit it. I missed the last occasion. Was a folk singer from CHARLESTON SC. who never got on a boat but his ashes were there anyway. regards FRED

 

[JoLin]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

the setting of the anchor is a bit uncommon to me but I think it is a nice gesture. FRED

Seriously, Fred? You think that purposely littering and polluting the water are 'nice gestures?'

 

[sasto]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

Seriously, Fred? You think that purposely littering and polluting the water are 'nice gestures?'

No offence JoLin, but this is the Keys and Florida we are talking about. We sink boats, ships, bridges, concrete, etc, on purpose. There are stragically placed statues. There are many ships anchors still on the bottom from centurys ago. These items are used by divers and make great havens for fingerling fish to hide. I have no problem with this method....depends where the anchor is laid to rest.

 

[JoLin]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

No offense taken. I would imagine that the centuries-old ships anchors weren't left there purposely.

The burial at sea participants aren't strategically, or accidentally placing anything anywhere. They're littering. I was taught to take my s**t away with me. That's my last word on this subject.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

An anchor would eventually rust or dissolve away, returning it's metals to where they came from. IMO-I don't see that as polluting.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: setting an anchor / spreading ashes

I don't see the problem with the anchor either, as long as it isn't in the way. Not like you are remembering your loved one by pouring out a quart of oil or something