Alternatives To Burial: Burial at Sea

The process of arranging a full body sea burial requires careful planning and adherence to local regulations. Individuals are encouraged to contact a funeral home or crematory specializing in sea burials for guidance and assistance. Although there are portions of the process that can be handled independently, it is important to work with a reputable service to ensure all steps are completed correctly since burials at sea are subject to multiple state and federal laws. 

The first step in arranging a full body sea burial is to obtain any required permits and approvals. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established regulations for sea burials that define appropriate locations, reporting guidelines, coffin specifications, burial depths, and other important components. For example, sea burial sites must be at least 600 feet deep and cannot occur within three nautical miles of the shore. All burials at sea must be reported to the EPA within 30 days of the event using an online reporting tool. Additional approvals may be required from the U.S. Coast Guard or local agencies.

After the appropriate permits are obtained, arrangements must be made for a ship or boat to transport your loved one to the burial site. Most reputable funeral homes that specialize in sea burials can acquire a boat as part of their services. Another alternative is to contact local charter boat operators and make arrangements directly. 

If you prefer not to deal with the logistics of planning the burial, you may also contact a charter service specializing in sea burials; there are several of these located across the United States. These companies will typically obtain all necessary permits and work directly with a funeral director to oversee the care of the body as it is transported to the port of departure and, if required by law, during the journey out to sea.

If the person who died served in the military or was the spouse of a veteran, it may be possible to make vessel arrangements with the U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard. 

As with any funeral arrangement, it is important to be mindful of the potential costs. The cost of a full body sea burial can vary based on the services selected, the burial location, the funeral or crematory service used, fees for permits, boat rentals, flowers, and any other additional components. For the most cost-effective outcome, individuals interested in pursuing full body sea burials are encouraged to gather estimates from a few potential sources prior to making a selection.

Sources 

“Exploring the Process of Burial at Sea – About Burial at Sea”. Return Home. Retrieved from https://returnhome.com/exploring-the-process-of-burial-at-sea/ 

“Burial at sea”. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/burial-sea#instructions 

“How does burial at sea work?” Burial at Sea. Retrieved from https://burialatsea.com/how-does-burial-at-sea-work/ 

No, your body does not need to be embalmed for a burial at sea. It is acceptable to bury an embalmed body at sea, though some discourage the practice because the chemicals can be harmful to the environment. The expansive dilution that occurs in the ocean, however, leads some researchers to believe the general effect isn’t too problematic. For full-body burials at sea, typically the body will be placed in a biodegradable casket (no plastic materials allowed, as per the EPA) or a shroud made of natural, biodegradable materials — for either, your body can be embalmed or unembalmed.

Sources

Cole, C. (2022, April 12). “Yes, anybody can be buried at sea. Why people pick the ocean as their final resting place.” Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-12/full-body-burials-at-sea-ocean-funeral

United States Environmental Protection Agency: “Burial at sea” November 15 2024: Found online at https://www.epa.gov/marine-protection-permitting/burial-sea

When your body is buried at sea, it undergoes the process of decomposition influenced by the condition of the ocean — primarily water temperature, depth and the abundance of sea life. In warm, tropical waters, the decomposition process can happen over the course of a few weeks or months; in cold waters, this can take several years. Sea burials must occur in waters at least 600 feet deep and at least three miles from the shoreline, according to the EPA.

For full-body burials, your body may be placed in a biodegradable shroud that’s weighted to sink down to the seabed. Or, you may be buried in a casket with holes drilled in (typically metal or wood caskets — no plastic or non-biodegradable materials are permitted by the EPA). The EPA also suggests adding additional biodegradable weights such as steel chain for shrouded bodies and sand or concrete for casketed bodies. The body eventually breaks down due to the action of water, bacteria and marine organisms, becoming part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Metal caskets also can become coral reef-like structures, akin to that of sunken ships, though scientists disagree on whether this is beneficial or harmful to the environment. 

Sources

Ashworth, H. (2023, June 3). “How long does it take for a body to decompose at sea?” BBC Science Focus. https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-long-does-it-take-for-a-body-to-decompose-at-sea

Cole, C. (2022, April 12). “Yes, anybody can be buried at sea. Why people pick the ocean as their final resting place.” Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-12/full-body-burials-at-sea-ocean-funeral

United States Environmental Protection Agency: “Burial at sea” November 15 2024: Found online at https://www.epa.gov/marine-protection-permitting/burial-sea

Yes, there are companies that offer full burial-at-sea services. This can be arranged in various locations, depending on the laws and regulations of the state — some states require a funeral director be present for full-body burial (this is not typically necessary for cremains). Companies that provide full body burial at sea typically offer ceremonial services with a full captain and crew, and are able to accommodate groups of just a few people up to several hundred. 

In the U.S., several companies specialize in burial-at-sea services, from dedicated companies to certain funeral homes. A Google search yields dozens of results — some of the largest burial-at-sea companies are: 

Sea Services (East Coast & West Coast)

New England Burials at Sea (East Coast & West Coast)

Ashes on the Sea (West Coast)

Sources

United States Environmental Protection Agency: “Burial at sea” November 15 2024: Found online at https://www.epa.gov/marine-protection-permitting/burial-sea
Ramirez, D. (2023, Nov 2). “Burial at Sea: How It Works and How to Plan”. Nerd Wallet. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/estate-planning/burial-at-sea

The United States Navy offers sea burials of either intact bodies or cremated remains to the following individuals:

• Active-duty service members
• Retirees and veterans who were honorably discharged 
• U.S. civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command
• Dependent family members of active-duty personnel, retirees and veterans of the uniformed services

You should know, however, that the service will be performed while the ship is deployed, so friends and family members are not allowed to attend. Further, the process is not a quick one. According to the U.S. Navy Personnel Command, the average length of time between the arrival of a body or cremated ashes at the point of embarkation and burial is 12 to 18 months. When the committal service is completed, the commanding officer of the ship will notify you (or the person authorized to direct disposition) of the date, time and longitude and latitude where the committal service took place. If you supplied a burial flag (required for the service), it will be returned to you. Additionally, you may request a headstone, grave marker, niche marker or memorial medallion from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

To arrange for sea burial for your loved one, go to MyNavy HR or call 1-833-330-6622 to request a packet with the necessary paperwork. In addition to the form requesting sea burial, you will need to submit the following documents with your request:

• A photocopy of the person’s death certificate
• A burial transit permit of cremation certificate
• A copy of the person’s DD14 form, discharge certificate or retirement order 

The Navy has strict requirements about the preparation of casketed remains for burial at sea. You will need to select a funeral home near the point of embarkation, and all expenses related to the process will be your responsibility. The funeral home will then work with the Navy Burial at Sea Coordinator to ensure that all requirements are met. However, it is important that you remain in contact with both the funeral home and the Sea Burial Coordinator to ensure that everything is proceeding according to plan. 

Sources

“Burial at Sea”. MyNavy HR. https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Casualty/Mortuary-Services/Burial-at-Sea/ 

DD14 form. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/personnel-records-center/dd-214