Mourners remember Beth Chapman with paddle out in Waikiki as Dog The Bounty Hunter eulogizes wife

Family, friends and fans gathered on a beach in Waikiki for a Hawaiian memorial service for Beth Chapman.

The 51-year-old wife of Duane ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ Chapman died on Wednesday months after a battle with cancer.

She was given a memorial ‘paddle out’ send-off on Saturday.

Dozens of mourners observed the memorial on Fort DeRussy Beach and recorded it on their cell phone before uploading the images to social media.

Friends, family and mourners gathered for a paddle out on a beach in Waikiki, Hawaii to remember Beth Chapman, 51

A paddle out is a ritual often used to honor surfers who died while surfing

A paddle out is a ritual often used to honor surfers who died while surfing

Mourners gather on a beach and ‘paddle out’ either on a surfboard or some other floating device. Once they get far enough out to sea, the mourners form a circle or a line. They may even grasp each others’ hands

Mourners gather on a beach and ‘paddle out’ either on a surfboard or some other floating device. Once they get far enough out to sea, the mourners form a circle or a line. They may even grasp each others’ hands

A paddle out is a ritual that is held to honor someone who has died.

It has usually been done to remember someone who died while surfing, though the tradition has been adopted internationally.

Mourners gather on a beach and ‘paddle out’ either on a surfboard or some other floating device.

Once they get far enough out to sea, the mourners form a circle or a line. They may even grasp each others’ hands.

Mourners may also place a wreath of flowers into the ocean and leave it there.

Duane Chapman told mourners on Saturday that his wife asked to be memorialized in Hawaii since it was her favorite place on earth.

Beth Chapman was the wife of Duane 'Dog the Bounty Hunter' Chapman (seen above making remarks to family and friends in Waikiki on Saturday)

Beth Chapman was the wife of Duane ‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ Chapman (seen above making remarks to family and friends in Waikiki on Saturday)

‘She said, "Please Hawaiian style … please do this right",’ the reality television star said

‘She said, “Please Hawaiian style … please do this right”,’ the reality television star said 

‘She loved Hawaii and she loved people. The people mostly she loved,' her husband said

‘She loved Hawaii and she loved people. The people mostly she loved,’ her husband said

As per Beth’s wishes, mourners also performed the traditional Hawaiian custom ‘oli’ chant. The oli is a custom chant that has been used in Hawaii to make important announcements including births, deaths, and celebratory occasions

As per Beth’s wishes, mourners also performed the traditional Hawaiian custom ‘oli’ chant. The oli is a custom chant that has been used in Hawaii to make important announcements including births, deaths, and celebratory occasions

Beth Chapman planned her memorial services before her death at 51 this past Wednesday

Beth Chapman planned her memorial services before her death at 51 this past Wednesday

‘She said, “Please Hawaiian style … please do this right”,’ the reality television star said.

‘She loved Hawaii and she loved people. The people mostly she loved.’

As per Beth’s wishes, mourners also performed the traditional Hawaiian custom ‘oli’ chant.

The oli is a custom chant that has been used in Hawaii to make important announcements including births, deaths, and celebratory occasions.

Beth Chapman planned her memorial services before her death at 51 this past Wednesday.

She explained to her family that she wanted funerals open to the public in both Hawaii and Colorado, the states she lived in with her husband.

The family reportedly has plans to cremate her body and scatter the ashes in a location that has yet to be revealed. 

Her struggle with cancer persuaded her to come up with ideas for her funeral ahead of time, according to TMZ.

The family reportedly has plans to cremate her body and scatter the ashes in a location that has yet to be revealed. Beth and Duane Chapman are seen above in September 2008

The family reportedly has plans to cremate her body and scatter the ashes in a location that has yet to be revealed. Beth and Duane Chapman are seen above in September 2008 

‘Dog and Beth’s children had several discussions with her about her memorial arrangements if she died.’ a source close to the Chapman family told TMZ.

Although the date and location of the Colorado funeral has yet to be announced, it will presumably also be in accordance with Beth’s wishes.

Mourning: A painting of Beth has been placed in front of her home and flower petals have been scattered out in front of the driveway

Mourning: A painting of Beth has been placed in front of her home and flower petals have been scattered out in front of the driveway

Insiders told the website that though the conversations were difficult for Beth’s loved ones, they appreciate being able to say goodbye the way she would have wanted.

Beth and her husband were both born in Denver but met each other in Honolulu, and she died in the latter city’s The Queen’s Medical Center.

The cancer began in her throat in 2017 and was excised, but came back in her lungs by last year, and this past Saturday she was placed in a medically induced coma.

Happier times: The couple are pictured at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville in 2014

Happier times: The couple are pictured at the CMT Music Awards in Nashville in 2014

Dog, real name Duane Chapman, emerged from his house on Wednesday and spoke to Hawaii News Now about the pain of his loss.

‘You kind of try to remember that you’re celebrating life, but right now we’re mourning the death,’ shared the 66-year-old.

‘For a few years we knew this day would come. It came really unexpected, really fast. All of her clothes, her make-up, everything. We didn’t prepare.’

Chapman broke down in tears as he described holding his wife Beth in her final moments, as she asked him to repeat Jesus’ name.

Chapman said: ‘When she had an attack I didn’t know anything to do but to say “in Jesus’ name” and hold her and when I said “in Jesus’ name” she said, “Say it again, say it more.”‘

Holding back tears, Chapman continued: ‘And then she, you know, she told the girls and everybody with her mouth and stuff she said I love you guys, are you guys all OK? But she never accepted it.’ 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk