Burials at sea on Usedom: More and more people are choosing this farewell

Burials at sea on Usedom: More and more people are choosing this farewell

Burials at sea are booming! A trend that is touching more and more hearts and is particularly pronounced on the Baltic Sea. “We record an annual demand of around 10%,” reports Andreas Neumann, managing director of Apollo GmbH and operations manager of the Adler-Schiffe shipping company. Last year, around 400 burials at sea were allowed to be attended, and the increase is noticeable.

The modernization of the industry is particularly noteworthy. A digital booking system makes it easier for relatives to coordinate appointments with funeral directors. The whole thing happens online and makes the process much less complicated. Sea burials are carried out from Peenemünde and Freest as well as from Bansin, Heringsdorf and Ahlbeck, always with the aim of giving the deceased a final quiet place at fixed points in the Pomeranian Bay.

Special farewell moments

A separate reason for choosing a burial at sea is often the deep-rooted emotions and memories that the coast evokes. Many relatives, especially of former NVA soldiers, want a farewell that is closely linked to the region. The trend towards natural burials is also reflected in the selection of urns, which are made from environmentally friendly materials such as pressed shell limestone and cellulose.

Prices for urns range between 100 and 700 euros, with simple models in navy blue being particularly popular. An individual design is also possible, for example in the form of a historic cog made of salt clay. The most common color for urns is ocean blue, with the most common motif being a jetty into the sea - a pictorial representation of the final journey.

Memorial trips and emotional ceremonies

The shipping company I. Teßnow, one of the oldest in its segment in the Pomeranian Bay, also offers burials at sea and attaches great importance to personal care. The second generation has been working here for over 25 years, with each farewell being individually designed. The collaboration with regional undertakers guarantees that the families are not left alone in their grief and that burials are possible from various ports on the Baltic Sea coast.

Special moments during the ceremonies are often unforgettable. Musical accompaniment, such as the popular band “Santiano”, contributes to the emotional depth of the farewells. Sometimes Buddhist monks are also on board, adding a further spiritual dimension. The managing director remembers moving fates, including a pregnant woman who mourned her new husband during the burial at sea. Here the farewell becomes an emotional experience that is intended to provide comfort to those left behind.

Burials at sea are much more than just a trend - they offer the opportunity to say goodbye to loved ones in a special environment and to become one with nature. A good farewell, very popular!”

For more information about sea burials on Usedom, have a look at Baltic Sea newspaper and Burial at sea in Usedom.