Special Charters - Scatterings

Saying Good-bye: People who love the sea often ask that their ashes be scattered on the ocean. This is a beautiful service, with the remains and flower petals mingling on the water as friends and family say good-bye.

This is the closing of the circle. It's a celebration of the spirit they held dear and they can rejoice in that spirit on the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We make certain the service is exactly as requested and we feel honored to be a part of it.

Below, you'll find a story about our own burial of a friend, as well as some letters we've received following our burials at sea. We get a good number of them, because we really put our hearts into our work. We understand there are no second chances to make the cruise perfect.

Permits are Required~Monterey County Regulations

Rates are very reasonable. They are $295.00 for a one hour burial on Sanctuary (up to 39 passengers). We depart, generally, either before 8:00 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. Our rate is a little over half our regular charter rate. Mornings are usually best because conditions are calmest then. One hour is plenty of time for a simple burial, but for folks who want to go to a special location, have larger parties or would like their event catered, we have a lot more options. Burials can be scheduled in the middle of the day most days with a two hour minimum.

Email Andy or call him at (831) 917-1042 or (831) 917-1046 if you have questions. He will help make this final remembrance everything you have in mind. To learn more about our vessel's size and accommodations, please click here.

10/29/05: I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for the loving, peaceful, respectful farewell of the scattering of my husband's ashes on Sunday, Sept. 25th, 2005.

It was a clear and beautiful morning. No ceremonies and or words needed to be said. It was an opportunity to just release my wonderful husband. You were so respectful of that. I appreciate the simplicity in which this was handled.

Your kindness to my children and family were much appreciated. What a glorious day. The otters were out in abundance playing as well as the seals!

It was just wonderful! Again, many thanks. Sincerely, Liz Fedde

8/13/2005: Remembering Catherine Anderson
Thank you, Steph and Noel, This was just what my mother wanted. She loved the water and was a great swimmer when she was young. You made it a very pleasant experience for my family with your little bit of humor--and caring.

Just after we did the burial with all the beautiful flowers and petals cascading on the sea, two sea lions bobbed out of the water and started to play with each other and it was like my mother was saying "I'm okay and I'm happy."

Thank you, Heidi for your compassion when I first called to inquire about your service.
Carol Blair and family

3/16/2005: Remembering Chuck Hallof
For Chuck and Joy Hallof, whale watching with Sanctuary Cruises has been a family affair. Kids, grandkids, other family and friends have all been hauled out onto the bay with us many times.

When Chuck’s sister-in-law Bonnie and her husband Russ visited recently, they were treated to an enviable itinerary. The cruise came first.

As always, Chuck cheerfully added to Steph’s narration; Chuck’s love of whales, dolphins, boats and the ocean shining through.

Next, they dined at one of our favorite restaurants, The Whole Enchilada. Ray is the owner and he occasionally gives one of his patrons a pair of funny sunglasses and a lottery ticket. Then, he takes the group’s picture. Ray insisted Chuck received the deluxe treatment, so he good-naturedly posed in his glamorous new sunglasses.

The following day, the Hallof party was off to the aquarium and the day after found them in San Francisco at the Buena Vista Saloon. Located at the cable car turnaround on Hyde street, this bar is well known for its Irish Coffees. I celebrated my “21st birthday” there and returned a year later to celebrate my real one.

Being reasonable people who did things right, Chuck and Joy thought they should drop in with their guests for an Irish Coffee. Afterward, strolling up the street, Chuck dropped dead, just like that.

No death is easy and this was particularly traumatic because, as Joy pointed out, it was very public. It took her a while to locate Chuck afterward. But what it lacked in location, it made up for in brevity.

Soon after, Steph and I had the sad duty of running Chuck’s final voyage aboard his beloved vessel Sanctuary. Filled with the family and friends, steered at times by the grandkids, she cut across the glistening bay, then stood sentry as his ashes swirled into the blue water. Flowers followed, spreading across the water like stars in the night sky. Hopes and dreams on a living canvas.

How much time do we have in this life and how will we spend it? Which of the hopes we hold and dreams we conjure will come to pass? I have dwelled on this a good deal lately. In Chuck’s case, I see his burial party laughing and crying, hugging and smiling and I know his time with all of us was very well spent. See you out there.

Caption for the couple shot: Chuck and Joy Hallof shared a love of the sea which they celebrated on numerous whale watching cruises.

7/17/2004: How do we begin to extend our deepest gratitude and thanks? It was aboard Sanctuary Cruises’ Princess of Whales that we have shared some our most joyous, heart-wrenching and most profound moments. Our family has felt the personal attention, amenities and positive attitude have embodied the spirit of each event.

It was in 2002 that our family had the good fortune of both celebrating our Mom’s 80th birthday and forming what would be a lasting bond with Sanctuary Cruises’ amazing owners and staff. It was after this momentous occasion and another excursion to whale watch with Sanctuary Cruises that some crucial decisions were made.

Jeanne Scourkes, our beloved daughter, sister, and a compassionate animal lover spent her lifetime giving of her time and talents to others. She had endured a 4 1/2 year battle with ovarian cancer when on May 29 (Memorial Day Weekend) at 55 years of age she passed away. She was born and raised in San Francisco and spent her adult life in Marysville.

Since those experiences aboard Sanctuary Cruises, it was her wish to have her burial at sea in their caring presence among family, close friends and the beauty of the environment.

It was her desire that the burial at sea be a celebration of her life. She chose to share Tracy Chapman’s song “Hallelujah” as a part of the celebration.

Your warmth, compassion and generous spirit made our day so memorable and embodied the celebration of life. You truly have a gift of putting people at ease and extending yourselves, a real labor of love.

It was with your expertise and sincere concern for our family that we found the perfect resting place surrounded by the dolphins and whales. We left with the feeling that it was exactly what Jeanne had wanted. The day could not have been a more beautiful tribute to Jeanne.

John Scourkes, Patty Mantas and the entire Scourkes family

Thank you for providing such an extraordinary way to deal with a difficult circumstance in life. [Your burial at sea service] provides an intimate and special time to remember and say good-bye.
Don and Dave were wonderful. I appreciate the thoughtful and understanding manner in which your company provides this service.
Susie Knoll

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate all that you did to accommodate my family. After my father passed away, I was surprised to learn my father wanted his ashes spread at sea. I had always imagined a traditional funeral with a burial. The idea of not having a cemetary plot to go to was difficult for me to accept. However, after my father's service, I realized how selfish that idea was. I am so glad we did it the way we did. The day/service was more beautiful than I could have imagined. I know my father would have been so pleased. It seemed like the most perfect thing to do. It certainly helped ease some of the pain for all of us. Terri Kaltenbach & Family