Dress to face the extreme cold, leave the inflatable boat and floor in the Antarctica for the first time. I feel a little awkward, still getting used to this clothing.
I am wearing four layers of clothing, including three jackets, all with the hoods on my head. Thick gloves cover my fingers. In the pocket, of all things, I carry a bag with ashes which only increases the volume, which I feel on the right side of the jacket while below to adjust my snow shoes.
I brought the ashes because, like many travelers, I thought that spreading them in a special place would be a beautiful tribute . In June, it will be ten years since my father was gone, and it would have been amazing to share this trip with him. Perhaps a symbolic gesture, like spreading your ashes, could be sufficient.
I am ready to do this on this walk, surrounded by icebergs, mountains, penguins and the intense blue of the glaciers. Before we start the trail, The guide gives us security instructions – And my plan begins to crumble.
Antarctica has strict rules: Nothing should touch the ground beyond our boots . No sitting, no snow angels, no backpacks supported on the floor. No throwing food away or dumping liquids. Under no circumstances, nothing can be left behind.
By idealizing this ceremony, I didn’t even think about the rules for spreading ashes. But I found that they exist – and not just here. Worldwide, there are specific norms about where and how it can be done, both on land and in water.
Rules and restrictions around the world
The rules vary widely. In the United Kingdom, for example, no license or permission is required to spread gray in the sea – the only recommendation is to avoid busy areas such as marinas.
In the United States, legislation changes from state to state. The responsible organ also varies: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates burials in the ocean while national parks take care of their own rules. State and municipal public land, such as parks and lakes, follow local standards.
Overall, it is allowed to spread ashes in private lands, provided that the owner authorizes. This includes your own home, that of a neighbor or even places like cemeteries and stadiums. In public areas, release depends on state rules, and in some regions – such as beaches – are completely prohibited, even if movies and series show otherwise.
If the plan is to make a sea ceremony, the general rule requires the boat to be at least three miles on the coast – Pouring ashes while being on the edge of the beach is not allowed . In addition, EPA requires dispersion to be informed within 30 days, but you don’t have to fill in any form before.
The same rules are mostly valid for pets with some exceptions. For example, EPA does not allow pet remains to be buried in the ocean, although some initiatives are using ashes to restore coral reefs in Florida.
Technically, spreading gray in a forbidden place can result in a fine if the infraction is discovered.
Violating the Treaty of Antarctica
Antarctica follows its own rules. It is the coldest, louder, drier, and most windy continent on the planet. His discovery and exploitation began just over 200 years ago, starring legendary names like James Cook , Ernest Shackleton , ROALD AMUDSEN and Robert Scott – Many of whom died on this journey.
According to the guide of my expedition, Spread the ashes of my father here would violate the treaty of Antarctica which protects this untouched environment and maintains the region as a territory dedicated to science and peace. The treaty was signed in 1959 by twelve countries, including the United States, and today has almost sixty participating nations.
I respect what he says, but I don’t want to spend the rest of the trip with this bag of ashes burning in my pocket. I imagine that spreading ashes “illegally” happens all the time. I’ve been here, I won’t give up now. I can do this discreetly, dropping the ashes through the leg of the pants, like Andy Dufresne in “A Dream of Freedom.” Perhaps I can lower myself and bury them without anyone noticing.
We went to the top of the hill, where we stopped at a lookout overlooking the lagoon. The landscape is unbelievable. The sun appears between the clouds, illuminating the ice blocks in the water.
For the first time, I see the blue sky of Antarctica contrasting with the snow -covered peaks. Jubart whales exude steam in the distance, penguins walk clumsy over the rocks and icebergs shine in tones of glacial blue. The perfect place. Discreetly, I turn away from the group and extend my hand to get the bag.
The growing tendency to travel with ashes
My story is not unique. Just see the Time Magazine Documentary2013, on the growth of cremation or the CNN Article of 2020 on the theme. In the 1960s, less than 4% of Americans were cremated. Today, this number exceeds 50%, and the desire to perform honors and ceremonies only increases.
The custom of spreading ashes on trips has become so popular that the Carnival Cruise Lines created a special service for thatorganizing private events for ceremonies at sea.
Royal Caribbean and other cruise companies also offer this type of experience, taking families away from the coast, as well as the reach of regulations.
The demand is so large that smaller and independent nautical companies have offered “cruises to spread ash” in various coastal regions, helping people reach the three miles required by law.
Some of these companies go beyond the basics, offering from a simple “private cruise to spread ashes” to more elaborate packages, such as the “Spreading ash not accompanied by video”.
Traveling with ashes on commercial flights is usually not a problem, but there are rules on the type of container allowed. These rules vary from company to company, so it is always good to check with yours before boarding.
On international trips, it is prudent check local laws on cremated remains to avoid customs inconvenience . Some countries require documents, such as death certificate, and may request this paperwork in immigration.
He is not there
The landscape in front of me fills me with energy and gratitude, but I realize that every time I look back to check if the guide is still distracted, something seems wrong.
What kind of memory am I trying to create? What did I disobey the law to bury my father illegally? He worked at the police for many years – I know he wouldn’t approve. What if the guide gets me in the act and feels disrespected? Would this really help me make peace with the loss of my father?
I change my mind. Instead of the gray bag, I just take the small prayer card next door . I take a deep breath and let my gaze go through the snow -covered hill, which goes down to the lagoon full of icebergs. In front of the card, I see my father’s smiling face – one of the few good photos I have from him. I turn the card and read, in silence, my favorite poem about mourning:
“Don’t be next to my tomb crying.
I’m not there. I’m not sleeping.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the shine of diamonds in the snow.
I am the sunlight on the golden fields.
I am the soft rain of the fall.
When you wake up in the morning silence,
I am the hasty flight of the birds in circles.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not be next to my tomb crying;
I’m not there. I didn’t die. ”
Going down the trail, I feel vulnerable and at the same time in peace. The lagoon is in sight, and the sound of my boots in the snow becomes almost a song, something therapeutic. I feel the strength of this place to cross me. The cold air fills my lungs. My brain bubbles with the poem’s verses: “A thousand winds that blow. The shine of diamonds in the snow. He’s not there. He didn’t die. ”
Yes, I wanted to spread my father’s ashes here, in my Great trip to Antarctica . Like many, I wanted to honor him that way, with this ritual. But, in a way, I feel that the mission has already been accomplished. I’m here, in this special place, thinking about it. And I still have many days ahead.
Perhaps it makes more sense to spread the ashes close to home, where he lived. Perhaps this is the best choice. I am not sure. But I know that in the end this probably doesn’t matter. What really matters is remembering, once again, that he continues with me – today and always.
Humberto Campana makes the “peace with the childhood” and opens Parque in SP
The post writer travels to Antarctica to spread the father’s ashes and everything went wrong Appeared First on CNN Brazil V&G.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
