It was my father’s wish to be cremated when he died. An avid fisherman all his life, he let us know in no uncertain terms that when it came his time to go, he wanted his ashes spread across his favorite fishing hole off the coast of Naples, Florida where he and his best fishing buds would often retreat.

We honored his wishes this weekend, and though it wasn’t without its tears and poignant moments, it also came with its “I Didn’t Know That” trivia, which helps me write my column today (namely, that oft mis-cited passage: “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” which, for the record, is not in the Bible).

What IS in the Bible, we find in Genesis 3:19:

“In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Tracing back to the time when Adam and Eve were called on the carpet after eating from the Tree of Knowledge, the line, “. . .dust thou art, and to dust thou shall return” becomes the ultimate symbol for man’s mortality. In other words, life of perfect peace turns first to work, then to pain and ultimately death because of their disobedience.

As for ashes to ashes, well, that part’s not scriptural at all. Instead it comes from the Book of Common Prayer, added for recitation at English burial services. The phrase more commonly referenced is this:

“Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection into eternal life.”

As for my father, he lived his life in enthusiastic joy over that eternal life. So when it came our time to say goodbye in the manner he so chose, there was nothing but peace encircling our fishing boat of ashes, rose petals and tears for a man who lived his life to honor Him.

Here’s to you, Daddy.

Rest in peace.