h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Is it true that every Seaman have to take an oath and that when they passed away, their ashes will be thrown in the sea. Is there a letter that they must sign?

Erm - I certainly don't remember signing anything like that! (Unless of course I was drunk at the time!)

*giggles*

I had 3 uncles in the Navy.. 2 were Merchant and the other Royal Navy.

None of them had their ashes scattered at sea.

Nor did my Uncle George, so I think the answer is no.

I dont believe that too. Well, I am being fooled.

Well, it wouldn't make sense nowdays, however perhaps in the distant past when sailing ships were away for months, if not years, then a sea burial would be only option, for obvious reasons, it would make sense that a sea burial would have to be agreed to.

If the death at sea than it will be sea burial. But if the death is on land, I was told that the ashes to be scattered at sea.

It's surely be up to the individual - certainly there's no requirement or 'contract'...

Even going back as far as Nelson's time - the dead weren't necessarily buried at sea...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4455033.stm

some of the dead from the battle of the nile were buried on a small island off the Egyptian coast - and of course Nelson himself is in St. Pauls

That's quite a sweet story, isn't it?