Celebrant Pam Vetter


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Funeral Celebrant Los Angeles

Farewell at Sea: FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club Fulfills Vision of Saying Goodbye with Ocean Scatterings

Pam Vetter
March 03, 2009

American Chronicle Article

"The Sea is often considered eternal and completes the circle of life. It can be considered a cleansing to those left behind as well," said Linda Wright, Special Events Producer of FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club in Marina del Rey, California.

Traveling out to sea with family and friends for a loved one's final journey creates an amazing farewell. As the waves are constantly moving, the sea transforms into a new journey for a loved one's spirit and yet a place of eternal rest. A scattering at sea is an incredible way to say goodbye as it is moving, memorable, emotionally uplifting and overwhelming personal.

As part of an alternative funeral movement that begs for personalization, more families are choosing to scatter a loved one's ashes or cremated remains at sea. It is especially fitting if the decedent loved the ocean. With spectacular views of the water's endless currents, one can also see the ocean's shores and all the way to the distant mountains. Taking part in a scattering at sea is simply breathtaking.

While every family has their own unique way to say goodbye, FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club helps to fulfill a family's vision of a meaningful farewell.

"We customize each and every event. I really work hard to hear and create the vision of our clients. It becomes a real life milestone, an event that is embedded in each attendee's memory and we strive to make it a beautiful and positive experience," Wright said. "We work with Bill at the Flower Mart downtown and therefore we can provide any and all flower desires at wholesale rates. Clients will often use special colored linens and décor to create a mood. We have an amazing resource list that can provide just the perfect special touches for a client, be it entertainment, poetry readings, prayers or rituals. I try to think that there is nothing we can't do… within reason. We are a family owned business and we keep things very family-oriented."

Wright notes that FantaSea Yacht Club believes in making each farewell personal as it serves a diverse range of beliefs. "We are very experienced in doing events for many cultures and different age groups, all come with their own vision."

As such, some families scatter ashes of loved ones directly into the water, while other families use a specially designed floral wreath.

"We sometimes opt to have Bill, the florist, build the baskets made from tealeaves because it allows for a beautiful presentation and you don't experience the blow back effect. There are several biodegradable containers that can be purchased for this process as well. Some wreaths are separate from the basket. The basket is a custom design, again anything is possible here. We are willing to work out our client's needs to the best of our ability. The key is making it biodegradable."

There are laws regarding the scattering of ashes. "The Federal Law is three miles. The California State Law is 500 yards. This is also accompanied by permit requirements. We take care of the details for our guests and by using the three-mile guideline we are able to provide more options for our clients."

The customer service and personal attention sets FantaSea Yacht Club apart when saying goodbye at sea. "We strive to make our clients feel like royalty when they are on board with us. Allowing our client to say goodbye to their loved ones is a very sentimental occasion, we do our best to provide this presentation to be filled with dignity and the attention to detail so that our guest can allow themselves to feel the moment and not be distracted by the events itself," Wright assured. "There are many ritualistic considerations based on different cultures. Some cultures are not as accustom to this presentation so we find it's important to take all things in consideration when helping our clients plan this event."

Wright has witnessed family members starting the healing process after loss as they are a part of the planning process.

"This becomes an important process that helps our clients with closure. The act of scattering is often uplifting and freeing of the struggles from within. I've found that when someone can present the service with knowledge and history of the deceased, the group feels closure as well. I feel a scattering at sea is definitely a much more uplifting service and personal. In general, I think the guests feel this way as well. My hope is for a family to gain a positive, uplifting and freeing experience while saying farewell to a loved one."

FantaSea Yacht Club also helps with many other celebrations throughout the year. "We do well over 400 weddings a year, many, many mitzvahs and birthday parties, reunions and December is crazy with corporate holiday parties. Think of these parties and relate them to all the different cultures. The yachts make for a very unique and memorable experience for our guests."

For more information contact Linda Wright at Linda@fantaseayachts.com or visit www.FantaSeaYachts.com.

FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club is located at 4215 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, California, (310) 827-2220.

Pictured: The Dandeana, FantaSea Yachts & Yacht Club

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