Spreading ashes at sea is a deeply personal way to say goodbye to a loved one. Including prayers or reflections adds meaning and can help create a comforting and spiritual atmosphere. Below are 25+ prayers, organized by faith and belief systems, to guide and inspire you in crafting a memorable and heartfelt ceremony.
Includes verses and readings for Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist and secular ceremonies.
Christian Prayers
Prayers for Christians for use when ashes are committed to the sea.
Prayer of Committal at Sea
“O God, as we commit [Name]’s ashes to the sea, we do so with hearts full of love and remembrance. May their spirit find peace in your eternal embrace. As the waves carry these ashes to new places, may their memory carry on in our hearts, guiding and comforting us always. Amen.”
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…”
See also: Psalm 23
A Prayer for Eternal Rest
“Eternal rest grant unto [Name], O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, rest in peace. Amen.”
Prayer for Peace
“Lord, we thank you for the life of [Name]. As we return their ashes to the waters, may they find eternal peace, embraced by your love and grace. Amen.”
The Beatitudes
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
St. Francis Prayer
“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith. As we release [Name]’s ashes, may peace fill our hearts.”
Prayer of Gratitude
“Heavenly Father, we are grateful for the gift of [Name]’s life. As their ashes meet the sea, we trust that their soul rests in your care, forever surrounded by your love. Amen.”
Secular and Non-Denominational Prayers
Here are some secular and non-denominational prayers for committing ashes to the sea.
Reflection on the Circle of Life
“As we release [Name]’s ashes to the sea, we honor their journey through life. Just as the water cycles through earth, sky, and sea, so too does life continue in its many forms. May [Name]’s memory remain with us, and may they find peace in the endless embrace of the ocean.”
A Moment of Gratitude
“We thank you, [Name], for the love, wisdom, and joy you brought into our lives. As the sea carries your ashes, we trust that your spirit will flow onward, connecting us in ways unseen but always felt.”
Ocean Blessing
“May the vastness of the ocean remind us of [Name]’s boundless love. As these ashes merge with the waters, we release them with peace and gratitude, trusting they will continue their journey in harmony with nature.”
Poetic Reflection
“You are not gone; you have become a part of the waves, the tides, the sun, and the wind. As we return you to the sea, we carry your memory in our hearts, ever-present and eternal.”
Light and Love Prayer
“We release you, [Name], into the light and the love of the universe. May the waves carry your spirit far and wide, touching every heart you ever graced with your kindness.”
Renewal and Continuation
“Life flows onward like the sea. As these ashes join the water, we honor the life that was and the endless continuation of the soul’s journey. Farewell, [Name], until we meet again.”
Jewish Prayers
Here are some Jewish prayers to commit ashes to the sea or a body of water.
El Maleh Rachamim
“God, full of mercy, who dwells in the heights, provide a sure rest upon the Divine Presence’s wings to the soul of [Name]… May their soul be bound up in the bond of life eternal. Amen.”
Psalm 121
“I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Kaddish (Adapted)
“Glorified and sanctified be God’s great name throughout the world. May there be abundant peace from heaven and life for us all. Amen.”
Buddhist Prayers
Here are some Buddhist prayers to commit ashes to the sea or body of water.
Metta (Loving-Kindness) Meditation
“May [Name] be free from suffering. May they find peace. May they be at ease, like the ocean waves that carry them forward. May their spirit be boundless, like the sky above.”
Buddhist Blessing
“May [Name] find peace and liberation as they journey into the cycle of life. May the ocean’s vastness be a reminder of their boundless spirit. O mani padme hum.”
Impermanence Reflection
“All things are impermanent. The tide rises, the tide falls, and life flows onward. As we release [Name]’s ashes, we recognize their place in the great continuum of existence.”
Hindu Prayers
Here are some Hindu prayers to commit ashes to the sea or body of water.
Om Namo Narayanaya
“Om Namo Narayanaya. We release [Name] to the waters with love, trusting they will journey to a place of rest and renewal. May the divine guide their soul toward eternal peace.”
Gayatri Mantra
“Om Bhur Bhuvah Svah, Tat Savitur Varenyam, Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi, Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat.”
May the light of the universe guide [Name] on their journey to ultimate peace and oneness.”
Hindu Farewell
“As [Name] becomes one with the ocean, we release them with love, knowing their soul continues its path toward Moksha. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.”
Islamic Prayers
Prayers from the Muslim faith, while Muslims primarily burry their dead in the ground on land, these prayers can be used in a special circumstances where burial at sea is necessary.
Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raji’un
“Surely we belong to Allah, and to Him shall we return. We release [Name]’s ashes to the sea, trusting in the mercy and wisdom of the Almighty.”
Dua for the Deceased
“O Allah, forgive [Name] and have mercy upon them. Protect them from harm, and make their journey easy. Bless them with peace and eternal rest.”
Indigenous and Nature-Based Prayers
Here are some blessings and prayers from indigenous cultures.
Native American Blessing
These indigenious prayers are suitable for ash scattering at sea or in a body of water.
“Earth, air, fire, and water, we call upon you to guide [Name] on their journey. May the waters of the sea carry their spirit, the air lift their soul, and the earth embrace them in peace.”
Indigenous Blessing of the Waters
“Great Spirit, we honor the sacred waters that sustain all life. As we return [Name]’s ashes to the sea, may they join the flow of creation, carried by the tides to places known and unknown. Let their spirit rest in harmony with the waters, and may their memory live on in the hearts of all who knew them.”
Four Directions Blessing
“Spirits of the East, bring the warmth of new beginnings. Spirits of the South, grant peace and healing. Spirits of the West, guide [Name] into the great mystery. Spirits of the North, offer strength and wisdom. As we release these ashes to the sea, may [Name]’s journey be blessed by the sacred balance of all directions.”
