Honoring Those Who Served Our Country
"In the life of a man, his time is but a moment...his sense, a dim rushlight. All that is body is as coursing waters...all that is of the soul, as dreams and vapors" — Marcus Aurelius
The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is a time-honored tradition that exemplifies our Nation's gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. The Color Guard Ceremony is a moving final demonstration a grateful Nation can provide to a veteran's family.
Burial at Sea is an increasingly accepted and preferred method of interment. Many spouses are now considering burial at sea as an affordable, thoughtful, reasonable and timely solution. The National Cemetery Administration cannot provide naval burial at sea.
Veterans' burials at sea are handled by the Navy, on ships deploying from East or West Coast ports. Because burials at sea are conducted while the vessel while it is on official business, it is impossible for family members to be present during a
naval burial at sea.
Hawaii Ash Scatterings
can help you throughout the State of Hawaii. Please submit the deceased’s DD214 form to us by email,
captken@tradewindcharters.com or fax to 808-396-5094. Lacking this form we’ll need the deceased’s military service number & branch of the military served in and their social security number. A United States flag is usually given to the next of kin by the funeral home handling the veteran/retiree’s arrangements. You will want to bring this burial flag with you for the service.
Hawaii Ash Scatterings has been conducting ash dispersal's at sea throughout Hawaii for over 30 years. Each ash scattering service is handled individually, with respect and reverence. Our Captain will coordinate your memorial service at sea. The exact Global Position System location coordinates are recorded and provided to the family on our beautiful Memorial Certificate. This enables family or friends to "re-visit" the exact site where the original dispersal took place.
Deceased US military service personnel are eligible for US Military Funeral Honor Guard Services. Benefits vary depending on years of service, rank and discharge/retirement date. Our charter coordinator, when supplied with documentation will research eligibility and schedule the appropriate land-based military honor services on Oahu at adjoining Ala Moana Beach Park 1/2 hour prior to your vessel's scheduled Kewalo Harbor departure for the Memorial Service Charter. These services are also available at all of our Oahu and Neighbor Island Harbors, typically ½ hour prior to your scheduled departure time. Please keep in mind that your loved one may or may not be eligible for services beyond the flag presentation and taps. Our coordinator and military liaison will determine your loved’s eligibility.
During the Color Guard service the American Flag is unfurled and carefully refolded in a military fold and presented to the next of kin. A bugler will play "Taps" with its restful and peaceful melancholy music during the Flag Service. The 21 gun salute by a military firing party is the final military honor recognition before boarding your vessel and conducting the ash scattering at sea. A military chaplain's service and the Presidential memorial certificate are additional benefits the deceased veterans' family may be eligible for.
The ash scattering boat trip is exclusively for your family . . . only one family and their guests goes at a time.
