Burial on the St. Johns?

[Morgan Paul]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

If it's legal there is no problem, and what we are finding is that it is not a problem. It appears that where our friend fell from the pier into the water is where we will set him adrift along with flowers, and wreaths at sunset. First we will celebrate his life with a feast, and some drink. He is of the personality that spreading joy is a gift. We do plan on making it a joyful occassion.....i2f

Sounds like a good plan.
Your a good man i2f

Paul

[jimking100]

I second Paul's comments. Thank you i2f, you would be a good friend.
jim

[imagine2frolic]

Thanks for ALL the POSITIVE input. It's very appreciated, and I will carry those kind thoughts with me on this special sunset. This is what it's really all about isn't it? Helping eachother, and asking for nothing in return. We are quite the unique community we sailors.

I am not a praying man, but I do hold my faith in mankind close to me. I would appreciate ideas of a simple verse, song, poem, prayer etc. etc. that you may appreciate for yourself, or a loved one... to life:cubalibre....i2f

[s/v 'Faith']

In the Burial at Sea thread I said, and still think;

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

....While someone in a position of authority may have an opinion if asked, I would not be interested to know what it is. The wishes of the deceased, and those left behind, are a much more significant consideration IMHO......

Thanks for your willingness to honor your friends wishes. I hope the occasion is a blessing to all who take part.

[GordMay]

It's traditional to toll a ship's bell in memorial of a sailor's last watch.

We honour our Friend & Shipmate ___________________as we toll the bell to mark the end of his final watch.
Well done _________________, well done. It was a great voyage, and you served your watch.
You have completed your final watch, now rest in peace.

***

A “marinized” version of the 23Rd Psalm:

The Lord is my Pilot, my ship is well stored.
He steereth me into the harbors of abundance
and guides my feet to the broad straight streets of port cities.

Yea, though the tempest rages
I shall not be afraid
for He knoweth the ways of the sea
and the strength of each ship launched upon the ocean of life.
His compass and His steering wheel are true.
He followeth the star which lights the way to the shores of immortal life.

My voyage has led me amongst pirates at sea
and buccaneers ashore,
but my ship and its captain have survived perils on land and on sea.
I have faith that favorable winds and calm seas will be our lot
so long as the voyage lasts, and that
I shall meet the Supreme Port Captain in the harbor of life eternal.

[cantxsailor]

Thanks Gord I saved that one...........m

[imagine2frolic]

HUMMMMMM

My post didn't post....

Gord,

Can you tell me when the bell tolls? Before, during, after, or throughout? Is there a rythum? Seems like I saw this in a very old movie as a kid?

[johnar]

i2f Thank you so much for starting the thread and you advice, I cried after reading it. Gord thank you so much for the It's traditional to toll a ship's bell in memorial of a sailor's last watch.

I changed it some but here is what my plan is,


James you and I meet around a year ago when I moved to Florida and in that short time we have become more than just friends we became shipmates. About every chance we had we would either take your boat out or mine sailing, we were both proud to say thet we have sailed more than any other boat in this Marina and it has always been together. I always thought it was funny that you had a very short Bucket list and I am so proud to be the one to help them come true for you. I cannot say either us use were a pro at sailing but we always enjoyed ourselves. The Trip to St Augustine sailing the Atlantic and even sailing to the Crab shackand The Landing (Hooter'), the only thing we did not get done was a trip to the islands, The main thing I can say about you James is that you have always been there for me and meeting you was the best thing that ever happen in my life. I wish it was years sooner.

As we honour our Friend & Shipmate James T. Boswell as we toll the bell to mark the end of his final watch.
Well done James, well done.

It was a great voyage, and you served your watch.
You have completed your final watch, now rest in peace.

James sister will throw the wreith in and his brother will ring the bell.


***

version of the 23Rd Psalm:

The Lord is my Pilot, my ship is well stored.
He steereth me into the harbors of abundance
and guides my feet to the broad straight streets of port cities.

Yea, though the tempest rages
I shall not be afraid
for He knoweth the ways of the sea
and the strength of each ship launched upon the ocean of life.
His compass and His steering wheel are true.
He followeth the star which lights the way to the shores of immortal life.

My voyage has led me amongst pirates at sea
and buccaneers ashore,
but my ship and its captain have survived perils on land and on sea.
I have faith that favorable winds and calm seas will be our lot
so long as the voyage lasts, and that
I shall meet the Supreme Port Captain in the harbor of life eternal.


Dutch

[GordMay]

Johnar:
Very nice, sentimental and dignified.

I2F:
I’m not certain of the details; but suggest a slow solemn cadence, tolled whilst these last words are spoken by James sister:

“... As we honour our Friend & Shipmate James T. Boswell as we toll the bell to mark the end of his final watch.
Well done James, well done.

It was a great voyage, and you served your watch.
You have completed your final watch, now rest in peace...”

[gulfstar1]

A fellow sailor shared this poem with us a few years ago when we lost someone dear to us.


Gone From My Sight

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side
spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and
starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty
and strength. I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where
the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.

Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"

"Gone where?"

Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in
mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and
she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her
destined port.

Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the
moment when someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout: "Here she comes!"

And that is dying.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by imagine2frolic

I am not a praying man, but I do hold my faith in mankind close to me. I would appreciate ideas of a simple verse, song, poem, prayer etc. etc. that you may appreciate for yourself, or a loved one... to life:cubalibre....i2f

Perhaps not entirely appropriate........

Here's to you. and here's to me;
There's damned few made like us........and most of them's is dead.

or

for those with a religous bent :-

May you be in heaven half hour before the devil knows you're dead.

[Pelagic]

Listening to the above advice I think a multitask solution is required:

1 Remove the mercury from the ashes

2 Spread ashes where deceased or family desires.

3 Make a personalized thermometer from said ashes and put in the beer fridge so that the dear departed can remain an integral part of most cruiser’s problem solving techniques and enjoy the “present”