TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Scattering Ashes

I suspect this has been covered here before, but a search of "ashes" in the past year on the forum didn't reveal anything. If there's a good discussion elsewhere, please point me to it.

I have a close friend and dive buddy who passed away a couple of years ago from ALS. He loved diving in the BVI and his wife has asked me to scatter his ashes during our upcoming trip. Can anyone point me in the right direction to start with? I've never done this sort of thing before. We'll be flying into STT and ferrying over to West End. I haven't agreed to do it just yet because I wanted to find out if it's legal first. I'm the skipper for my crew, so starting the trip off with a kerfuffle entering the country just isn't an option. Thanks for any help!

Sorry for the loss of your friend.

http://www.bvi.gov.vg/content/what-process-scattering-ashes

Thanks. That link answered my question perfectly.

Just wondering if anyone has scattered cremains in the BVI. Any problems with the government, assuming all the documents were filed? I'm a funeral director and my wife and I have discussed scattering in the BVI.

documents? Government? They are ashes in the ocean. Respect you friends wishes, say a prayer, and all's good. I don't see any reason to involve the Gov't. My mom's ashes are in the fountains of Caesars Palace, didn't get Gov't approval

I have to agree with you even though we don't always agree.
The Heck with the laws I put my dads and my moms ashes of off St John where they really loved and wanted to be.
Another very good friend of mine years later from MA who lived in St John for years wanted his ashes in Maho Bay which I put there with other friends.

I think most people circumvent the regulations. I've requested my family to sprinkle me at Sandy Spit. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Amen S2W. I buried a true brother in White Bay, JVD, a couple of years ago. I didn't ask nor check on rules or regs, and honestly doubt that they would care. His sister had given me a portion of his ashes (he's been spread all over the world) which I brought down in my carry on. We did a ceremony on my boat, toasted him, and tossed him to the wind that he so loved. This may sound ugly, but if you're worried about bringing the 'entire lot' with you, I'd suggest packing a cooler with meat, cheese, chicken etc, and your friends ashes, pay the tax if they charge it, and roll on. And no, they won't check your cooler that close. No better way to go IMO, and will be my spot as well.

My advice from a very close friend..do NOT declare the ashes or they will be tied up in red tape forever..find a way to put them in something..thermos etc and sneak them in and God bless your buddy and you for doing this!

Dad is in the San Blas....Mom is at Cow Wreck <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I brought my fathers ashes to White Bay. Some of them ended up in North Carolina. He certainly did go to heaven <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Little hint. The old standard ziploc bag of human remains, when scattered in lovely blue water, with a white sandy bottom, well, it has the same effect as dumping a 90lb bag of gray portland cement. On the bright side, it just looks like an ever expanding bait ball moving down the beach.

Somewhere, there's a bag piper that's getting a great trip out of this thread.....good info!

Hell I'll have Belinda declare that I'm "secret spices" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Yep, I can vouch for that. You might say there are times your dad and I are pretty close. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

OMG. I can't even... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I am retired military ( 7 USMC and 18 USAF) and a person that prides myself on following laws and regulation but this is where I would draw the line.....if it were me I'd bring the loved one in a zip lock if need be and do whatever it takes to get this done! I personally want to be spread in the dirt in the rodeo in San Antonio (which is reused every year).....and the BVI (and my kids know this)...but I agree with others.....asking permission for this is silly......buy some rum and mixers and enjoy. I want to go to heaven but I don't want to go today (as the song says) but when I do...cremate me......it will be the closest I'll ever be to having that smoking hot body I've always wanted! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I'd never thought of this before but love the idea. We recently moved from our hometown of 40+ years (where we have plots reserved in a family plot) and wondered if we'd want to be buried back there or somewhere up north where we are now. Decision made: cremate me and spread 1/2 my ashes in the lake right outside my front door and the other 1/2 at Cow Wreck. And be sure to leave my kids enough $ to make the trip to the BVI's <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I had not really thought about it that much before either, but it's surprising to me, how many of my clients say they want to be cremated. And my mother in law told us that she didn't want to be in a box in the ground forever...Makes sense..

We travel to the USVIs and the BVIs at least once a year with close friends. Many years ago, this subject came up and all four of us made a list of where we wanted our ashes scattered. (all locations were vacation spots special to us) The list is kept by the wife half of our friends.

Like others, this is one instance where I wouldn't ask for permission. Its just grit that isn't going to hurt anything.

Definitely want to do this for myself. We took my mother's ashes to Hawaii -- which she loved. I would like mine spread anywhere / everywhere in the VI -- maybe even at the top of Jost. Let my ashes take a trip down from the top all the way to the beach

A group of 20 friends and family converged on VG 2 years ago to sprinkle my husbands ashes. As a place of so many wonderful memories, it seemed the perfect place. We left from Atlanta to STT, then ferry to VG. I carried the ashes in a backpack and had the certificate of cremation with me. TSA in ATL reviewed, but no one else. I didn't claim in VG. I had no problems at all. I figured it was better to ask forgiveness later if needed.

Just an FYI. When my Dad was cremated about one year ago, they sent a travel certificate along with the remains. If you are flying with remains they may require documents. I was told that people have been denied passage because of lack of documentation. Obviously you would not abandon cremains at the airport so it could put a crimp in your trip.

As a funeral director, whenever I know a family plans on flying with cremains, we always make sure the urn Is either plastic, wood it cardboard to pass through as carry on. ,All that's needed is a copy of the death certificate and cremation permit. I always stress never put an urn in checked luggage , granted this is a different issue than getting a " burial at sea permit" but after 9/11 you don't want to second guess Airport security. Once you land, who's to say where or what you are going to do with the cremains. There are no laws about traveling with cremains. So what if they "fall" over board,,,, but by all means make sure you get on and off
the plane.

Kristine, you and I may be commingling in eternity! along with a few others here...cool by me, can't think of a better bunch to be stuck circumnavigating the BVI with <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

ps, I told my kids put me in a box of Bisquick if it could potentially be an issue for travel, just don't mix the two up if you do brunch that day....

I know of a guy who's ashes were put on Sandy Spit and he was reincarnated as a Rock Crab! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

Ha ha ha! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Wow, these pancakes taste just like Mom! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Kiss.gif" alt="" />

Yes - I actually carried this both times I traveled "with my parents" so to speak <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />....

When my brother passed, his yacht club had a great practice. Out in the bay all the boats formed a loose semi-circle well downwind of the boat with his widow. She stood on the bow and scattered his ashes (facing downwind!)and we dropped a wreath on the spot. Then all the boats came by single file and each dropped flowers on the spot. After that everyone did what my brother would have loved - had a great party at the club. In retrospect, I know where my brother "is" just as well as the graves of my parents.

we had a friend that wanted to be sprinkled on the world. so all of his friends were directed to take "a little bit of him" ALL around the world as he loved to travel.

A little bit off topic, but perhaps interesting to those of you who enjoy the stories of the BVI of yore...

I buried my newborn son at sea just off of the North drop back in 1981. He died at Peebles, with Dr. (Orlando) Smith attending. We were told that he was doing well, even though he was premature. I had a friend who was the skipper of a fancy yacht with a helicopter on the ready just in case he needed to be transported to PR. We were told not to worry.

When he died we were basically shunned. The death of a male was considered a bad omen. There was no 'funeral home' back then, so I collected the body (the morgue refrigeration was on the fritz, so I needed to go 'right away', according to the hospital) and a carpenter friend built a small casket, weighted and ventilated for a burial at sea. I went to the Registrar for a death certificate, and I remember that the clerk giggled when she gave it to me - undoubtedly a nervous reaction to the solemnity of the task.

My wife was still in the hospital, and profoundly sad. My one year old daughter was in the care of friends, and we were booked on back-to-back charters. I hated my boat, the BVI, and its backwater ways, and most of all myself for allowing this all to happen to my young family.

I sailed off of my mooring at West End, not wanting to contaminate the proceedings with engine noise, with Devin's little casket on the bow. We sailed through the cut, and I told my little boy how much I would have loved him, and how we would have sailed the world together with his Mom and sister.

I don't remember exactly where I buried him, but I know every time I pass over him today. I sense a strong feeling of anguish...like I'm witnessing a million puppies being slaughtered at once. It's been a bit embarrassing to my guests, on the rare occasion when we've passed over the spot. I simply cannot function. So very surreal.

I think of Devin every day of my life, and can remember EXACTLY where I was when I buried him...but only in my mind.

I returned to my mooring, where my mate was waiting with the dinghy. I hired a captain, and didn't set foot on my boat again for almost a year. I blamed my beloved boat, and my obsession with her, for killing my son. I stayed with my daughter and wife...and we just licked our wounds.

My wife became pregnant again, and although she wanted to stay, I couldn't risk that loss one more time. We moved back to the states and were blessed with two more sons.

What a heart rending tale..sincere condolances, but thank you for sharing your sorrow.

Likewise as I couldn't have said it better.

We scattered my stepfather's ashes right outside White Bay Jost Van Dyke in July 2010. My mom carried him in double Ziploc bags and was never asked about them. Didn't even think about the need to claim them. White Bay was one of their favorite places when they lived in the Islands in the 70's. They used to "house sit" the Sand Castle when the owners left for the off season. Back then it was a calm peaceful spot without as many tourists and none of the craziness.

I know this is an old thread but I am about to embark on this same mission. I will be bringing a portion of my husband's ashes down in carryon. They will be in a TSA approved black plastic box which will likely be scanned in security in the San Diego airport. Flying straight to EIS through Miami so I doubt that my carryon will be scanned or checked upon arrival at EIS. Just going through immigration. I will not declare anything

If you read the government website there are forms and documentation required. It says to come into the office and they 'might' have approval ready in 2 days to return to the office to pick up. It says the only 'approved' place to dispose ashes are 5 miles south of Norman Island. I am hoping that they have no way to know what is coming in my carryon (since it was scanned in San Diego), no way to know where I am going and no way to know what I'm throwing off a boat or dinghy in some remote area in the islands.

You are correct. Trust me, ashes have been spread many, many places around here without any knowledge by the government.

gjconsult,

I am so sorry for your loss. Since my posting above about my stepfather's ashes, my mom has also passed and wanted to be with my stepfather in White Bay. She did not want a partial scattering so I did fill out the paperwork and got the documentation for her ashes but did not comply with scattering them 5 miles south of Norman Island. I would think that if you are not trying to bring in the entire bag of ashes and just doing a partial scatter you will be fine but the ashes did show up on xray going through TSA and I did have to show the paperwork that they were indeed certified human remains. This is the certificate you get from the funeral home. Feel free to reach out with any questions.

Both my parents passed in 2017. For obvious reasons we were unable to scatter their ashes until 2018. I declared them going through TSA in CLT. They asked for no paperwork (all of which I had) and respectfully swabbed each box. I flew CLT to STT then a flight from STT to Anegada but had to go through customs on Tortola. The boxes were in my duffle bag. The bags were not unloaded at EIS so I did not declare them there nor did I fill out any paperwork prior to the trip. My parents were laid to rest between Cane Garden Bay (their hangout) and Yost.