Memorial Cruise & Ashes Scattering Ceremonies.
No details required. We just hope the information in this guide helps you through the day. Lives are like rivers.
We imagine we can direct their paths, though in the end there is but one destination.
— Richard Russo
Scattering of Ashes on the River Thames
The peaceful waters of the River Thames at Windsor offer a wonderful place to reflect on lives lived, and lives passed, and a lovely setting to scatter their ashes.
A private Memorial Cruise on the River Thames, onboard our beloved vintage launch, Christobel, is a dignified and private way for you and your guests to remember your loved one, and a memorable setting if you choose to leave their ashes for the river to take where it will.
We offer a quiet and tranquil cruise in the beautiful surroundings of the river. Our experienced Skipper will stop the boat safely at a suitable place for you and your guests to reflect and remember. You may choose to scatter the ashes of your loved one on the river and say goodbye in your own way.
Our personalised Memorial Cruise includes —
An exclusive charter for up to 10 guests to travel upstream to Boveney Weir stream
A 1½ Hr cruise including time for reflection and the scattering of ashes at Boveney Weir stream
Pick up and drop off at times to suit you and your party
We can provide refreshments if you wish. We always have glasses, crockery and cutlery on board should you prefer to bring your own refreshments
Complimentary tea, coffee, water and squash
You are welcome to extend your cruise and please do ask us if you would like any other service — we’re more than happy to try to accommodate your wishes.
From £280
We offer Memorial Cruises throughout the season when our boats are in the water. Our services are available daily, including weekends, subject to availability. Please contact us early to reserve your preferred date and time.
Regulations and Questions about Ashes Scattering
Please read through the Frequently Asked Questions below for guidance as there are regulations and recommendations that apply to scattering of ashes on the River Thames. There are slightly different regulations for those wishing to scatter the ashes of beloved domestic pets. If you are unsure about how to plan for your memorial, then please read our guide and FAQ sections below.
FAQs for Memorial Cruises
We hope that we’ve answered your most pressing questions here. We know this can be a difficult time, so if there is anything you want to ask about our Memorial Cruises or the Scattering of Ashes on the River, please just ask — we’re here to help. You will also find information for those of you wishing to scatter the ashes of a beloved pet.
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We offer Memorial Cruises throughout the season when our boats are in the water — typically March to October. Please contact us early to confirm your dates.
Our services are available daily, including weekends, subject to availability and the weather. Please note that weekends can be busy on the river and you may not have the quiet and tranquil experience we all hope for.
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Scattering the ashes of your loved one on the River Thames is a beautiful and memorable way to say goodbye. It is perfectly legal to scatter ashes on the river in the UK. You do not need permission or any sort of license or certificate to scatter ashes on the River Thames.
However the Environment Agency says that ‘other items should not be placed in the water with the ashes’ and that anything that is cast into the river is fully biodegradable, such as flower petals. The Agency also advise that the location should be suitable, for example, not near an extraction point. A useful leaflet with more information is available from the Environment Agency.
As you might expect, all the locations Golding Bros. choose for our memorial cruises on the River Thames are suitable for scattering ashes.
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We know how the loss of a much loved dog, cat or other animal companion can affect all of us. Sadly, their ashes do not have the same legal standing as human cremains.
This extract from the full guidance from the Environment Agency states:
You do not need permission to scatter or bury ashes from a single pet cremation on your own land, or make any formal record of doing so.
If you scatter ashes across surface waters, such as a river, you should:
make sure the effect on the environment and wildlife is minimal and it will not affect other watercourse users
not scatter any memorabilia or other items, as they may harm the environment and wildlife
Given that these recommendations are similar to those for human cremains, we are happy to assist with the scattering of ashes of small domestic pets and help you and your family say a fond farewell.
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Our advice is only to use biodegradable materials such as flower petals. The Environment Agency states:
Personal items and wreaths might contain plastic and metal parts, which can cause litter and harm wildlife. They must not be put into the water or left on the riverbank where they could be washed into the water.
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Remembering your loved one in this way is a wonderful occasion, but it can be a difficult time for everyone. You may want to consider how you will perform the ceremony and anything you might want to say or happen.
For the actual scattering, there are really two options:
Spread the ashes gently from a container directly onto the surface of the water and let the wind and the river will take them where they will. Make sure the container is something you can hold well enough not to lose in the water. There are lightweight ‘scatter tubes’ available for the purpose.
Alternatively you can deposit the ashes enclosed in a biodegradable container which will then gently float away or sink gracefully. Either ask the undertaker to return the ashes in a suitable container for burial at sea, or decant the ashes into a suitable container you have purchased. We strongly recommend that this is done before coming on board for the consideration of your guests.
Whatever happens, please make sure you have everything prepared beforehand. You do not want to be left with a sealed urn that cannot be opened nor left in the river.
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Scattering ashes is a wonderful ceremony, but the weather on the river can be unforgiving. Our advice is:
Only do this if the wind and river conditions allow. Our experienced Skipper will advise you.
Use an ashes ‘scatter tube’ or similar specialist container that is designed for the purpose.
Always make sure you are upwind so that the ashes blow away from you and your guests. Again, our Skipper will make sure of this.
‘Scatter’ is really the wrong word here. It is best to spread the ashes directly onto the water and let the river take them where it will.
We always have wipes and towels available.
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If you are planning to leave your loved one’s ashes in an urn rather than scattering them directly onto the water, then you will need a suitable biodegradable vessel which will eventually dissolve, usually underwater. These specialist urns can be purchased separately, or ask your Undertaker or Funeral Service if the ashes can be returned in a vessel suitable for water burial.
One supplier we have found to provide a reliable online service is Urns for Ashes. We have no affiliation with their service. They have a tasteful video example of one of their urns being cast onto the water.
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The River Thames is a public waterway so you are not permitted to leave a marker or memorial on the site. The Environment Agency do not allow even temporary markers such as wreaths as these can contain materials that might damage the waterways and wildlife.
Our Skipper, and of course nowadays, your mobile phone, will provide details of the exact location of your scattering. You can register this location with The Ashes Register which is a completely free service recognised by the funeral and cremation industry. Your entry is searchable by name and location, either for public record or simply for invited friends and family. We have no affiliation with the service.
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Sadly accessibility was not considered when our vintage boats were built and there is little we can do given the narrow confines and passageways of our boats.
Passengers will need to be able to step down into the boat with our help. Please do talk to us when you are considering booking and we will of course do our best to help.
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We carry a bluetooth speaker onboard which you are welcome to use for background music. Christobel has a full stereo sound system which you are welcome to connect to.
We are required to stop playing music around the areas of the locks and we will consider other local river users when the vessel is stopped for any ceremony.
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Apart from the formality or informality of your ceremony, you need to remember that the weather can be unkind on the river. Even on the warmest of days, it can be a little cooler near the water. We always have blankets aboard but you may want to dress for the weather.
It will help if you wear soft-soled shoes. High heels really don’t mix with boats, decking and safety.
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Christobel is fitted with a restroom and full flushing WC.
A Guide to Scattering Ashes on the River Thames
This guide should be read in conjunction with the Frequently Asked Questions above.
No details required. We just hope the information in this guide helps you through the day. Planning your service
There really are no formal rules for what should be included in a scattering or spreading the ashes ceremony. In fact, many people choose to keep it very informal and would hardly apply the term ‘ceremony’ at all. You really do have the freedom to plan something that will suit your family and guests and reflect the personality of your loved one.
Having said that, it can still be a difficult time for everyone involved, so a little planning and forethought will go a long way. We hope you find these ideas useful. Please do talk to us about any ideas you have for your ceremony and we will do our best to help.
Don’t rush - you have all the time you need.
Most importantly, don’t rush. There is no time limit on holding an ashes ceremony. You may want to do something shortly after the funeral or you might wait weeks or months. In particular, ‘scattering’ ashes outdoors is often best done in good weather - not that this can ever be guaranteed.
You might decide to scatter all the ashes, or to keep some small portion with you as a keepsake. This is a choice you can only make once so please give it some consideration. There are many options for creating a lasting memorial that you can keep with you forever.
Ask someone to lead the ceremony and the planning.
Even if you’re planning an informal occasion, it helps to have one person oversee the planning and the day. This can be anybody you feel is up to the organisation of the task, perhaps a friend of the family, a family member or a religious or secular representative such as a professional celebrant. It really does help to have someone organise things beforehand and to be in a position to guide others through the day.
Ask people what they would like to happen during the day.
Ask your guests if they would like to take part, or let them know if you would like them to speak or read something as part of the ceremony Some people might be uncomfortable with public speaking, especially at an emotional occasion, and it will help if they can prepare something ahead of time.
Decide on the style and the order of events.
It helps if everyone knows what to expect. Is this an informal celebration of your loved one’s life, or a more formal ceremony? Think about the prayers, poems, readings, memories and stories that you might want. What music, if any, would you like during the ceremony and the rest of the cruise out and back? Remember that the river and wildlife provide their own beautiful soundtrack.
Think about how you will record and mark the event.
Most importantly these days, please let people know how you would like to record the event, or not, as is your wish. It is wise to agree rules upfront for photography and social media and communicate these wishes in advance to avoid any difficulty on the day.
How do you feel about guests videoing the proceedings? Would you prefer people to simply take photographs so that you can share the moment with others who were not able to attend. Are you happy for everyone to ‘post’ images or only chosen family? And should everything be public or only open to close family and friends?
You are not permitted to leave any permanent, or even temporary, memorial to mark the site. We will give you a certificate with the geographic location of the ceremony so that you and others might return to the same spot in the future. You can register this location with The Ashes Register which is a completely free service recognised by the funeral and cremation industry.
Agree who will spread the ashes onto the river.
It may be that you will want just one person to scatter the ashes or deposit the urn in the water. Or you might want different family members or guests to take part. In the latter case we recommend that you have a scoop or a suitable scattering tube available.
Our beloved launch, Christobel, has a narrow ‘gunwale’ or edge of the deck and so is easy to reach over. However, this task still requires enough assurance to hold on and lean out of the side of the boat, as well as strength to hold the urn or spreader. Our experienced Skipper will make sure that you are in a safe position and that the wind will not be a problem during this part of the ceremony, so for your own safety, please follow any instructions from the crew.
Make sure people are prepared for the day.
Please make sure that your guests are prepared for a river cruise. While the boat has plenty of indoor and covered seating, as well as copious hot drinks, the weather may be inclement and and it is always a few degrees cooler on the water. Your guests will need to be able to step down into the boat when boarding and will need suitable footwear.
And remember that this can be a difficult time for people. You and your guests will be in an enclosed boat with little space for privacy. There are limited places to moor up and stop at the riverside but we will, of course, find somewhere suitable should anyone need it.
Decide whether to provide drinks and refreshments.
The standard Memorial Cruise will last approximately one and a half hours so you may want refreshments for your guests. You may of course want to offer a toast to your loved one as part of the ceremony.
We always have complementary tea, coffee, water and squash on board. We are happy to provide refreshments on request, or you are welcome to bring your own food and drink and use our cutlery, crockery and glasses.
Please check out our Frequently Asked Questions above.
Please note the guidance on environmental matters and biodegradable urns and offerings noted in our FAQs above. We cannot be responsible if you are unable to leave your loved one’s ashes because the container is unsuitable for water burial.
Scattering the Ashes of a Beloved Pet
We know how the loss of a much loved dog, cat or other animal companion can affect all of us. And many of you have asked us about a family cruise to scatter your pet’s ashes.
Where the river is concerned, the recommendations from the Environment Agency for scattering the ashes of a domestic pet on the river are similar to those for human cremains. We are pleased to assist with scattering the ashes of small domestic pets and to helping you and your family say a fond farewell to what we all think of as close family.
Guidance on Pet cremains
Sadly, no matter how much they were loved in life, pet ashes do not have the same legal standing as human cremains and you need to follow due procedures. This extract from the full guidance from the Environment Agency states:
You do not need permission to scatter or bury ashes from a single pet cremation on your own land, or make any formal record of doing so. If you scatter ashes across surface waters, such as a river, you should:
make sure the effect on the environment and wildlife is minimal and it will not affect other watercourse users
not scatter any memorabilia or other items, as they may harm the environment and wildlife