Jul 13 2008
Burial at Sea - July 13 (York Party)
Today’s charter on the yacht, was a burial at sea that took place on the north side of Point Loma so that the family could lay their mother to rest at the same coordinates their father had been “buried” 30 years earlier off of a Navy sub. The family members reunited on the yacht from Washington state and Arizona for the solemn occasion.
A normal sunny day in San Diego, the charter began typically as we headed on out through the channel. The two sons stayed for a long while on the flybridge of the yacht talking to Capt. W.C. Young about their collective Navy and other military service, while some family members sat in the sun on the boat’s bow, or out of the sun’s rays on the covered sun deck.
This family had opted for a biodegradable “urn,” allowing them to simply lay the ashes on the water as the urn slowly dispersed into the ocean. They had also chosen to have a private ceremony of their own preparation, rather than have W.C. or myself do any readings … that we are always more than happy to do when desired. We honored their privacy, and the yacht got back underway when the family was ready.
I continue to observe that every family that chooses a burial at sea, always seem to make the return trip with a sense of great relief and peace. And, when they charter the yacht for such a service, they have the run of the boat, and are able to do things as they see fit. It never ceases to amaze me how touching and freeing the experience is for everyone … including the crew.