Burial at Sea Guide: Timeline, Decisions, and Options

For centuries, the ocean has served as a final resting place for explorers, sailors, and those who found peace by the shore. Today, burial at sea is no longer reserved for the Navy; it has become an more popular choice for civilians seeking a natural, eco-friendly alternative to traditional land-based interment. Whether it is the call of the tides or the desire for a "liquid-to-liquid" return to the earth, understanding the logistical and legal framework of a sea burial matters for modern end-of-life planning.

Understanding the Legal Landscape of Ocean Burials

Navigating the legalities of the open water requires more than just a boat. In the United States, all burials at sea—whether they involve cremated remains or a full body—are strictly governed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA).

The primary regulation families must understand is the "3-Mile Rule." Federal law mandates that all burials must take place at least 3 nautical miles from the baseline of the shore. This ensures that remains do not wash back to land and protects coastal ecosystems.

Depth and Location Requirements

While the 3-mile rule is universal in U.S. waters, depth requirements vary based on the type of burial:

• Cremated Remains: There is no federally mandated minimum depth for scattering ashes, provided you are beyond the 3-mile limit.
• Full-Body Burials: These require a minimum depth of 600 feet. However, specific regions have stricter standards. For example, certain areas along the Pacific coast or near Florida require depths of up to 1,800 feet to ensure the body remains undisturbed on the ocean floor.

Full-Body vs. Cremated Remains: The Options

When choosing a water burial, the first decision is whether to proceed with cremation or a full-body interment. Each path has distinct costs, preparation requirements, and ceremonial styles.

Full-Body Sea Burial

A full-body burial is a complex operation that often requires a licensed funeral director. To ensure the body sinks quickly and remains on the seafloor, the EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard provide specific guidelines for casket or shroud preparation.

• Weighting: The casket or shroud must be heavily weighted (typically with 200–300 lbs of additional weight) to prevent drifting.
• Venting: If using a metal casket, the EPA recommends drilling at least twenty 2-inch holes into the sides and bottom. This allows air to escape and water to enter, ensuring the vessel sinks permanently.
• Materials: All materials must be biodegradable or composed of metals that will eventually break down. Plastic liners, lead-based paints, and synthetic fabrics are strictly prohibited.

Sea Scattering of Cremated Remains

Scattering ashes is the most common form of sea burial. It offers more flexibility and is significantly more affordable. Families can choose between "unattended" services, where a boat captain takes the remains out and performs the scattering on their behalf, or "attended" charters where the family is present for a ceremony.

Cost Comparison: Sea Burial vs. Traditional Land Burial

One of the driving factors behind the growth of the sea burial industry is the cost. With traditional funeral costs rising, many families find ocean-based options to be a more financially sustainable choice.

For a broader look at how these prices compare to other methods, you can view our Average Funeral Cost Breakdown.

Real-World Examples of Modern Sea Burials

To better understand how these services look in practice, consider these three common scenarios:

1. The "Living Shroud" in the Pacific: In 2025, a family in California opted for a full-body burial using a mushroom-based "Living Shroud." This biodegradable material contains fungal mycelium that helps the body break down and provide nutrients to the marine environment. The ceremony was held at a depth of 1,800 feet, precisely 5 miles off the coast of Monterey.
2. The Eternal Reef in Florida: A veteran who loved scuba diving chose an "Eternal Reef." His cremated remains were mixed into a pH-neutral concrete "reef ball." This ball was lowered to the ocean floor to become a permanent part of an artificial reef system, supporting coral growth and providing a habitat for local fish.
3. The Starlink Virtual Scattering: During a New England winter, a family organized a scattering ceremony for a relative. Because many family members lived overseas, the boat captain used a Starlink satellite connection to live-stream the entire service in high definition, allowing relatives in three different countries to participate in the last farewell.

Recent Trends & Industry Updates (2025–2026)

The "green burial" movement has heavily influenced the maritime sector. By the end of 2025, the eco-friendly burial market is projected to reach $2 billion, and the ocean is a major part of that growth.

Alkaline Hydrolysis (Aquamation)

Known as "water cremation," this process is increasingly paired with sea scatterings. It is marketed as the ultimate "liquid-to-liquid" return. Because the remains from aquamation are a fine, white powder rather than charred bone fragments, they disperse more elegantly in the water.

Living Shrouds and Seaweed Fabrics

Traditional canvas shrouds are being replaced by high-tech, eco-friendly alternatives. Shrouds made from processed seaweed or seagrass are trending for 2026, as they are designed to integrate seamlessly into the ocean's nutrient cycle without introducing foreign fibers.

GPS Memorialization

In the past, the biggest downside of a sea burial was the lack of a "place to visit." Modern charters have solved this by providing a Certificate of Burial featuring the exact longitude and latitude coordinates. Families can now "visit" the site using digital maps or return to the exact GPS spot on anniversaries.

Best Practices and Expert Recommendations

As a Senior Funeral Director, I have seen many families struggle with the logistics of an ocean service. Here are the professional recommendations to ensure a smooth ceremony:

• The Downwind Rule: When scattering loose ashes, always stand on the downwind side of the boat. If you stand into the wind, the remains will likely blow back onto the vessel and the guests.
• Stay Close to the Water: Do not throw ashes from a high deck. The wind is stronger higher up. Hold the urn or container as close to the surface of the water as possible.
• Biodegradable Flowers Only: While scattering flowers is a beautiful tradition, you must only use 100% biodegradable items. This means real flower petals only. No plastic ribbons, no floral foam, and no wire stems.
• Verify the Captain’s Experience: Not every boat captain is familiar with EPA reporting. Ensure your charter specializes in ocean burial and understands the 3-nautical-mile limit.

Key point: Using a water-soluble urn made of rock salt or recycled paper often creates a more peaceful experience than scattering loose ashes, as it provides a singular focal point for the family to watch as it drifts away.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a Standard Urn: Standard ceramic, wood, or metal urns will not sink properly and are not allowed to be left in the ocean. If you bring a non-biodegradable urn, you must pour the ashes out and take the container back to shore.
• Forgetting the 30-Day Report: The EPA requires a formal notification within 30 days of the burial. Many families assume the boat captain does this, but the legal responsibility often falls on the person in charge of the remains.
• "I'll Just Use My Own Boat": While legal, private boat owners often underestimate the difficulty of a full-body burial. Without a winch system, lowering a weighted casket safely is nearly impossible and dangerous for those on board.
• The Navy Myth: A common misconception is that the Navy provides free burials for anyone. In reality, the Navy only provides burials at sea for veterans, retirees, and active-duty members. Furthermore, families cannot attend these ceremonies, and the timeline can take several months or even years.

Sample Planning Timeline

If you are planning a burial at sea, following this timeline will help manage the logistics:

1. Immediate (Days 1-3): Obtain the Death Certificate. Decide between full-body or cremation. If full-body, ensure the body is not embalmed (or use EPA-approved eco-friendly fluids).
2. Week 1: Secure a licensed funeral director if performing a full-body burial. Research and book a specialized sea burial charter. You can find more details on general options in our Burial Options Guide.
3. Week 2: Purchase a biodegradable urn or a weighted burial shroud. Coordinate the guest count with the boat captain.
4. Day of Ceremony: Check weather conditions. Ensure the captain has GPS tracking enabled. Conduct the service at least 3 miles out.
5. Post-Ceremony (Within 30 Days): File the EPA Burial at Sea Report via the official online portal. Save the coordinate certificate for family records.

Conclusion

Choosing a burial at sea is a powerful way to respect a loved one's connection to the natural world. Whether through the creation of a new reef or a simple scattering of ashes into the tides, the ocean provides a sense of vastness and continuity that few land-based cemeteries can match. By following the 2025 EPA guidelines and opting for sustainable materials, you can ensure that this last act is as environmentally responsible as it is emotionally meaningful.

If you are still weighing your options between a maritime farewell and a land-based return to nature, our Green Burial Guide offers additional insights into eco-friendly end-of-life choices.

Key point: A well-planned sea burial provides families with a unique sense of closure, knowing their loved one is part of the global current, free from the confines of a traditional plot.