June 2024 – Golden Gate Ashes

In early June we spread ashes from our boat Bay Wolf just past the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a lovely morning, peaceful, quiet with a few dolphins and a light breeze. We scattered roses and rang our ships bell as the ashes spread into the sea. Thank you for trusting us with this important ceremony. Capt Kirk and crew.

March, 2023

Neptune Memorials offers ash scattering services on our yachts as we navigate through the stunning San Francisco Bay, allowing a peaceful and unforgettable experience for family and friends to say goodbye to their loved-ones. Below you can find a video of an unattended ash scattering that was completed by one of our captains earlier this spring.

April 7, 2021

The estuary was quiet - it was just Osprey in the mellow morning sunshine on the whole of the bay. The container ships were docked, the loading cranes were still, and it seemed like the marina was sleeping in for Martin Luther King holiday. 

But Osprey was on an important mission - we were out for a San Francisco Bay ash scattering. Everyone gathered on the front deck near the bow of the ship, enjoying the fresh breezes and bay bridge views on the horizon. No one spoke, no one stirred, it was more of a meditation than a cruise. We took care to come up to the lighthouse on Yerba Buena Island, enjoying impressive coastline views of the foaming breaker waves and lighthouse on the hilltop.

We motored under the Bay bridge, listening to the hum and roar of the cars passing overhead. Then bursting out on the bay water with crystal clear views of the Ferry Building and the San Francisco waterfront ahead and lovely treasure island behind us, the memorial started.

Our guests stood and lined up at the rail, holding red and yellow roses. The petals floated away with the scattering ceremony, bright dashes of color floating out to sea in the gentle water. 

-Crewmember Heather

December 17, 2020

The Nagano family has completed a memorial service for a beloved family member every year since his death 6 years ago. Every year, they go out to Kirby Cove, just past the Golden Gate Bridge, to spread flower petals and enjoy the company of family. This year was no different and we completed another Golden Gate memorial service. We went out on Bay Wolf, our 50-foot Santa Cruz yacht, leaving from Sausalito. The sky was clear and the air was really fresh with great visibility. We could see the San Francisco city-front, Alcatraz Island, the Oakland Bay Bridge, Angel Island and the hills of the East Bay.

We slowed the boat down while the family scattered the flowers. We did several circles as the wind and tides moved the flowers towards the bridge.

They had LOTS of flowers and it was really interesting to see how the flowers moved around on the water.  We say lots of wildlife on the trip including, pelicans flying in formation, harbor porpoise, cormorants, seals and California Sea lions. The family members were impressed with the amount of wildlife that we saw. One of the advantages to our boats (as compared to large power boats) is that we move through the water very quietly and the wildlife is not scared away.  We discussed doing another San Francisco memorial event again next year. If this was not a pandemic year, we would have had hugs all around at the end of the trip.  Next year!!

Dec 1, 2020

It was a beautiful trip for a military memorial service on San Francisco Bay. We left Sausalito and were able to see the harbor seals lounging on the dock - they always make us smile even in sad times. We motored out to Kirby Cove which is a perfect place for ash scattering ceremonies. This cove is just pas the Golden Gate bridge and the water was calm. 

The ashes were scattered while the family played grand dad's favorite song on the portable speaker. A few dolphins were visible and added a nice touch. We circled back and the family scattered some flowers.

The youngest granddaughter, Emily, rang the ship's bell eight times.  A long-standing maritime tradition is to ring the ship's bell eight times to signify the end of the watch or when a sailor goes to sea. Many families find that ringing the bell is a beautiful way to say goodbye.

As we went back to Sausalito, we set the headsail and turned off the engine. It was very quiet and the family had a chance to relax and enjoy each other's company.

Overall it was wonderful day and another example of our approach to doing a meaningful San Francisco ash scattering ceremony. We approach each trip as the most important trip that we have done. We pay attention to the details and allow each trip to be customized to meet the needs of the family.