This week on WHITEBALLOON INSIGHTS we hear from the team at Wesley Offshore about the very special service they offer people who wish to have their ashes scattered at sea along the beautiful South Devon coastline.
Q: We love that you have an ex-RNLI lifeboat for the scatterings. Can you tell us how this came to be and what you needed to do to make it suitable for the service you offer?
Our fleet of ex-RNLI Mersey Class lifeboats all have their own unique story. The first is the Samuel Wesley, stationed in Skegness for 27 years, saving lives at sea along the North-East coastline. Each of our boats are refitted to include the installation of specialised media equipment to allow for visual tributes, live streaming and music to be played during a scattering service. We also modify the seating to accommodate our passengers comfortably.
Q: What types of ceremonies and services can people have aboard your boats?
We offer both attended services for groups of up to 10 passengers plus 2 crew and unattended services, in which ashes are scattered by one of our crew on a customer’s behalf. Some guests chose to scatter their loved one’s ashes on a particular anniversary, such as a birthday, making it a day of remembrance as well as a celebration of their life. There are plenty of wonderful restaurants in Dartmouth that guests often chose to visit after the service, raising a toast to their loved one.
Q: The weather must play quite a big part? Do scatterings take place all year round?
Guests can choose any date suitable to them throughout the whole year, often opting for the quieter months in the autumn and spring to get out on the water. Our crew always ensure that conditions are suitable for sailing before guests step onboard.
Q: What areas do you cover and recommend for a scattering?
Wesley Offshore is based in Kingswear on the river Dart, we collect all guests from the convenient Dartmouth embankment for scattering services both out to sea and up the river. The journey taken by the boat and the location of scattering is entirely up to the guests, meaning they can select the location most special and poignant to them. A popular route out to sea follows the coastline round to Brixham and Berry head. There are many locations along the river Dart that hold a special place in people’s lives. From the picturesque setting of Greenway House at Dittisham to the peaceful inlet at Bow Creek, our boats can travel all the way up the river to Totnes to find the perfect location for our services.
Q: For people who don’t feel comfortable on the water, is there an option for them to stay onshore?
Our services can be viewed from anywhere in the world, and at any time as our boat is fully equipped with live streaming and recording capabilities. Those who are not able to attend the service in person can view the service live from the comfort of their own home. This also means that the service can be kept as a keepsake, to be watched whenever you chose.
Q: Have you seen an increasing openness towards scatterings at sea and more unique and personal ways to honour and celebrate the life of a loved one?
This part of beautiful coastline means a lot to so many people, whether they grew up in one of the small surrounding towns or holidayed here throughout their lives. We offer a fitting tribute that allows ashes to be scattered in a way that is meaningful to both our guests and the departed. The ability to choose the exact location for the scattering makes remembering someone special a truly personal service, shared only by those most close. Resting ashes on water is an integral part of many religious practices, making what we offer at Wesley Offshore even more important.
Q: And finally, it must be lovely living by the sea. Do you spend much time in and around the water in your spare time too?
Both the crew and staff at Welsey Offshore share a love for the beautiful area of South Devon and the waters surrounding it. Many of us take to the Southwest coast at the weekend to unwind and appreciate the benefits of fresh sea air and the stunning views the coastline has to offer. Deck Officer, Chris, is a volunteer for the Torbay RNLI, spending many hours at sea to aid those in need. We feel very lucky that we have such an outstanding area right on our doorstep and are passionate about sharing that with the customers of Wesley Offshore.
Thank you Team Wesley for sharing these insights.
If you would like to find out more about scatterings at sea, please visit Wesley Offshore.