Grandfather's Ashes Set Sail From Australia to England on Handmade Boat

A family honoured the memory of an 89-year-old West Yorkshire man who emigrated to Australia, by loading his ashes onto a small handmade boat for an 17,700 kilometre journey back home to England.Norman Sanders was born in South Kirby, West Yorkshire, and married in 1951 before moving to Canberra, Australia. He died in October 2017 and was survived by six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, according to the Express.His remains were cremated, but rather than keep his ashes in their News South Wales home, his family decided to grant his wish of captaining his own ship across the ocean and sent him on one last adventure.On January 20, his family placed Sanders’ remains on a handmade boat and launched him from Batesman Bay. The wooden vessel, aptly named the SS Norman Sanders and about the size of a small dog, had a note attached that read: “This boat contains my ashes, I am trying to make my way back home to England! If you see me beached please help by sending me back on my way!”WIN News reported that within two days of sending Norman on his journey and setting up a Facebook page, the family were sent a photo of the boat about 64 kilometres away from the departure point. Credit: Captain Norm Sails Home via Storyful