Our "Burial at Sea" Experience on the Maasdam

Just back from the Maasdam, and hope to be posting a detailed review later...but wanted to first comment about how well the Maasdam crew handled our "burial at sea" request.

My aunt passed away last year, and her wishes were to have her ashes scattered off the Maasdam on the Canada / New England cruise. She and I had taken this cruise together a few years ago, and she loved it. She was especially fond of lighthouses. I had discussed this with Captain Draper on a prior cruise my husband and I did last year, as well as spoke to ship's services about it in advance. They all said we could do the burial at sea, and all we needed to do was to talk to the GRM once we were onboard. They were very touched that my aunt had specifically chosen the Maasdam for her burial at sea.

I boarded the Maasdam last Saturday with some family and a few of her closest friends. We were in "S" suites, and met some of the ship's officers at the suite welcome reception. I introduced myself and told them the reason why we were there, and they had been expecting us. GRM Christianna Becks (sp?) was so very accomodating, and worked with the concierge, Cathy, to make the arrangements.

When we told Captain Draper about my aunt's love of lighthouses, he said he had the perfect spot - the Point Prim Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, which the Maasdam passes while departing PEI. It sounded perfect.

The staff of the Maasdam went so far above and beyond my expectations. On the day of the ceremony, we all received invitations in our cabins to meet in the Explorer's Lounge at 5:20pm (later changed to the Piano Bar to be more private). We arrived and were greeted by the HM, GRM, and a few other officers, as well as our concierge. They had a special seating area set up for us, and string quartet playing. We were able to have some quiet time for reflection while listening to the beautiful music, and then the priest arrived. We all talked about my aunt, and he gave a short sermon.

We were then escorted by the officers down to the aft of Main Deck. They had a few flowers there, and the Enivornmental Officer gave us instructions on where/how to scatter the ashes. The priest gave a final blessing and three of us took turns scattering from the rear of the ship. An officer then called the bridge to record the exact GPS coordinates. The next day they presented us with a certificate of the Burial at Sea, along with the exact lattitude and longitudinal positions.

Our group was so impressed and appreciative of the compassion and attention to details that the staff showed! It was way, way, more than I expected. I only asked if we could do the burial at sea, and how we could go about it - the GRM and concierge put together everything from there.

This is one of the reasons why we return to HAL cruise after cruise. Thanks so much for a very special ceremony and cruise.

Thank you VERY much for this information. I will be using it next time we go to Alaska.

Very cool. Thanks so much for sharing that special Memorial with us.

John

What a lovely way to honor and remember your aunt. I am glad it was so sweet for you and your loved ones. Not a bad idea.

For me...put me into the chilly sea in Glacier Bay (It's a really hot day here today.)

Thanks for sharing that experience here; didn't know that could be done.

Good to see it went as well as my experience with my Dad on the Oosterdam this past November.

After posting about it I have had no end of email asking me how I did it and what was required.

It is good to see it wasn't just the Oosterdam that treated me this way, it is good to know there appears to be a company policy on this.

Phil

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I had heard that "burial at sea" was possible, but did not know the logistics.

Glad to hear that HAL did such a good job for you.

Ruth & Jim

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

I had heard that "burial at sea" was possible, but did not know the logistics.

Logistics on the ship and what happens isn't the problem, in fact that is the easy part. TSA caused us a few problems which they still refuse to discuss.

Phil

Thanks for sharing your story.

I had read that people had asked to be buried at sea on other cruise and this was the first that I have read about HAL.

I am so glad for all of you that occassiona was a special one and handled well by the cruise staff.

I'm so happy it went so well for you.

All the best

Wow. Great.

Thank you for posting about this at all, and that it went well, in particular.

You have planted a seed in my mind that grows daily. It sounds like the perfect way to close out a life.

What a wonderful remembrance.

Barbara

I didn't know this could be done from the ship. Thanks for sharing.

Just back from the Maasdam, and hope to be posting a detailed review later...but wanted to first comment about how well the Maasdam crew handled our "burial at sea" request.

 

My aunt passed away last year, and her wishes were to have her ashes scattered off the Maasdam on the Canada / New England cruise. She and I had taken this cruise together a few years ago, and she loved it. She was especially fond of lighthouses. I had discussed this with Captain Draper on a prior cruise my husband and I did last year, as well as spoke to ship's services about it in advance. They all said we could do the burial at sea, and all we needed to do was to talk to the GRM once we were onboard. They were very touched that my aunt had specifically chosen the Maasdam for her burial at sea.

 

I boarded the Maasdam last Saturday with some family and a few of her closest friends. We were in "S" suites, and met some of the ship's officers at the suite welcome reception. I introduced myself and told them the reason why we were there, and they had been expecting us. GRM Christianna Becks (sp?) was so very accomodating, and worked with the concierge, Cathy, to make the arrangements.

 

When we told Captain Draper about my aunt's love of lighthouses, he said he had the perfect spot - the Point Prim Lighthouse on Prince Edward Island, which the Maasdam passes while departing PEI. It sounded perfect.

 

The staff of the Maasdam went so far above and beyond my expectations. On the day of the ceremony, we all received invitations in our cabins to meet in the Explorer's Lounge at 5:20pm (later changed to the Piano Bar to be more private). We arrived and were greeted by the HM, GRM, and a few other officers, as well as our concierge. They had a special seating area set up for us, and string quartet playing. We were able to have some quiet time for reflection while listening to the beautiful music, and then the priest arrived. We all talked about my aunt, and he gave a short sermon.

 

We were then escorted by the officers down to the aft of Main Deck. They had a few flowers there, and the Enivornmental Officer gave us instructions on where/how to scatter the ashes. The priest gave a final blessing and three of us took turns scattering from the rear of the ship. An officer then called the bridge to record the exact GPS coordinates. The next day they presented us with a certificate of the Burial at Sea, along with the exact lattitude and longitudinal positions.

 

Our group was so impressed and appreciative of the compassion and attention to details that the staff showed! It was way, way, more than I expected. I only asked if we could do the burial at sea, and how we could go about it - the GRM and concierge put together everything from there.

 

This is one of the reasons why we return to HAL cruise after cruise. Thanks so much for a very special ceremony and cruise.

I'm so sorry for your loss, but at the same time so pleased to hear of the ways that Captain Draper, Christianne (Chrissie) Beks and so many other crew were able to make this a memorable and beautiful time of reflection for your family.

Chrissie is a dear friend of mine and you may have even seen that I've featured her on the blog in the past:

http://dutchbyassociation.blogspot.com/2009/03/meet-crew-maasdams-guest-relations.html

http://dutchbyassociation.blogspot.com/2009/03/meet-crew-maasdams-guest-relations_06.html

Thank you for sdharing this beautiful and touching time in your life. I know that your Aunt was able to enjoy it from her vantage point as well. :)

What a wonderful story and truly a great reflection on Holland America. Thank you for sharing.:)

Thank you so much for sharing...what a heartwarming story.

I pray for God's blessings for you. I am very happy that it went well.

You have planted a seed in my mind that grows daily. It sounds like the perfect way to close out a life.

I agree...

I often tease w/ friends that I want my ashes surreptitiously dumped into an urn or decorative vase aboard one of the ships so that I can continue cruising...

;)

...But it's good to know that HAL supports a legitimate way to handle this too.

That was an amazing story, thank you for sharing. Your aunt had good taste and I am so glad that HAL was so accommodating to hers and the families wishes. The passing of a loved is a terrible experience but what a wonderful and beautiful memory you will have to carry through life. Best wishes to you and your family.

What a spendid way to say "good-bye" to your aunt.

You describe a wonderful and special occasion for your family and friends....and for your dear aunt.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

We are sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing a wonderful rememberance with us.

Thank you everyone for your kind words.

HAL really did a great job with this. I forgot to mention that the Environmental Officer told me the next day that he was up on the deck about 15 minutes before us, practicing with a bag of flour to make sure which way the ashes would blow.

This is just so HAL....so Maasdam

To make your memories of this event so special, to go to the trouble to have no unpleasant surprise.

I'm so warmed you shared this story with all of us.

HAL has always, for us, been all about the people and IMO it is hard to find people more special than these Officers and Crew who wanted your memorial to be as perfect as possible.

Outstanding!~