Stranger on the Shore - A Final Journey

We came across this amazing story, which was shared on Facebook, about the last part of someone’s final journey. People are so inventive when it comes to funerals and fulfilling the last wishes of a loved one. If you didn’t see the story on Facebook here it is. The story was posted by the team at Glunz Ocean Beach Hotel & Resort (in Key Colony Beach, Florida).

A Message in a Bottle

“So one of our owners, Judi, was walking on the beach this morning. She was cleaning up the junk that washes into shore when she finds a bottle with a message in it. There is also some sand and 2 one dollar bills.

Once we get it open and read the notes we find out that it is in fact NOT sand. It is the ashes of this woman’s husband of 70 years named Gordon. She writes that he loved to travel so she sent him traveling in a bottle with a note and money for someone to call home and tell her where he landed.

Gordon’s Final Journey

His final journey started at Big Pine Key (in Monroe County, Florida) in March of 2012 and then went to Islamorada (also in Monroe County) where someone found him. They added a note and sent him travelling again and he landed on our beach in Key Colony.

Judi called his wife in Tennessee who was excited to know of Gordon’s travels! Judi added her note, we put him in a rum bottle (to add a little fun to his trip) with the three notes. We added another dollar in case Gordon travels far and a long distance call is needed.

We will be having a memorial service or celebration of his life on our beach later today before sending him on his way again.”

Thinking of the ‘Stranger on the Shore’

I wondered if they might play an old song (that my grandparents used to listen too) at the memorial service. It was called ‘[video_lightbox_youtube video_id=IhNPswAR7Zg width=640 height=480 anchor=”Stranger on the Shore”]’ by Acker Bilk and it always makes me think of them.

What an amazing tale and a clever idea to remember someone who loved to travel. These days we can give our loved ones the funeral they want and make it as personal as we want. Many people still go for a traditional funeral but it is good to know you can do something different if you wish.

Celebrate the Life of Someone Special

A good funeral director will always listen to your ideas and help you make it special. Alternatively, more and more people are organising funerals themselves. Whichever option you choose, the most important thing is to celebrate the life of someone special the way you (and they) would want.