Burial at Sea — Everything Families Need to Know

There are farewells that happen in churches, in funeral homes, in graveyards surrounded by familiar trees and familiar faces. And then there are farewells that happen on the open water — where the horizon stretches endlessly in every direction, where the wind carries something that feels like both grief and release at the same time, and where the person being honored is finally, completely, returned to the element they loved most. Burial at sea is one of the oldest and most meaningful farewell traditions available to families today — and one of the least understood. This guide covers everything families need to know before choosing this deeply personal option for someone they love.

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What Is Burial at Sea?

Burial at sea is exactly what the name describes — the disposition of human remains in the ocean. It is one of the oldest funeral traditions in recorded human history, practiced across virtually every maritime culture on earth for thousands of years. From ancient seafaring civilizations to the modern United States Navy, the ocean has long been understood as a sacred and fitting final resting place for those who lived their lives in relationship with the water.

Today, burial at sea is available to both military personnel and civilians — though the specific options, requirements, and processes differ significantly between the two. For military veterans the Navy offers a formal, ceremonial burial at sea program administered through the United States Navy. For civilians the process is arranged privately through charter boat services or funeral homes that specialize in maritime disposition, and is governed by regulations established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

There are two primary forms of burial at sea available to families. The first is full body burial, in which the intact remains are placed in a casket or shroud and committed to the ocean at a depth of at least 600 feet. The second — and far more common — is the scattering of cremated remains at sea, which can be arranged more easily, at lower cost, and in a wider range of locations than full body burial. Both are legally permitted options, each with their own set of requirements and considerations that families should understand before making a decision.

Who Is Eligible for Burial at Sea?

Eligibility for burial at sea depends on which type of service is being considered.

For the United States Navy burial at sea program, the following individuals are eligible:

• Active duty members of all branches of the United States military
• Retirees of all branches of the United States military
• United States military veterans who received an honorable discharge
• Dependent family members of active duty personnel and retirees
• Civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command

For civilian burial at sea — whether full body or cremated remains — there are no military service requirements. Any family wishing to scatter cremated remains or commit full body remains to the ocean may do so provided they comply with the applicable EPA regulations and obtain the required permits.

The Legal Requirements

In the United States, burial at sea is regulated primarily by the Environmental Protection Agency under the Marine Protection Research and Sanctuaries Act. The key requirements families need to be aware of are as follows.

For cremated remains scattered at sea the requirements are relatively straightforward. The scattering must take place at least three nautical miles from shore. Flowers and wreaths may be placed on the water alongside the remains provided they are made of biodegradable materials. The family must notify the EPA within 30 days of the scattering using the EPA's online reporting form. No permit is required in advance for the scattering of cremated remains — only the post-scattering notification.

For full body burial at sea the requirements are more stringent. The burial must take place at least three nautical miles from shore and at a depth of at least 600 feet — and in many designated areas a depth of 1800 feet or more is required. The casket must be weighted to ensure it sinks and remains on the ocean floor. Any embalming chemicals used must meet specific EPA standards. An EPA permit must be obtained in advance — this is not a post-event notification but a formal permit application that must be approved before the burial takes place. The family must also report the burial to the EPA within 30 days of its completion.

Requirement	Cremated Remains	Full Body
Distance from shore	3+ nautical miles	3+ nautical miles
Minimum depth	No minimum	600 feet minimum
EPA permit required	No	Yes — in advance
EPA notification	Within 30 days after	Within 30 days after
Flowers permitted	Yes — biodegradable only	Yes — biodegradable only
Casket weighting	Not applicable	Required

What the Ceremony Looks Like

One of the most meaningful aspects of burial at sea is the ceremony itself — the gathering of family and friends on the water, the particular quality of grief and gratitude that the open ocean seems to hold, and the profound sense of completion that comes from returning someone to the element they loved.

For military burials at sea conducted by the United States Navy the ceremony follows a formal protocol that includes naval honors, the playing of Taps, a rifle volley salute where applicable, and the formal committal of the remains. Family members are not typically present on the Navy vessel during the burial itself — the Navy conducts the ceremony at sea and provides the family with a letter of confirmation, the GPS coordinates of the burial site, and a flag that has been flown in honor of the deceased.

For civilian burials at sea the ceremony is entirely shaped by the family. A charter vessel is hired to transport family and friends to the designated location at sea — typically at least three nautical miles offshore. The ceremony can be as simple or as elaborate as the family wishes. Readings, prayers, music, and personal tributes can all be incorporated. Biodegradable flower petals, wreaths, and other natural materials can be placed on the water. The cremated remains are committed to the ocean at whatever moment feels right, in whatever way feels meaningful — poured directly into the water, released from a biodegradable urn, or scattered by each family member in turn.

Many families describe the experience of a civilian burial at sea ceremony as one of the most profoundly moving experiences of their lives. The combination of open water, natural light, the sound of the ocean, and the gathering of the people who loved the deceased creates an atmosphere unlike anything possible in a conventional funeral setting. For families whose loved one had a deep and lifelong connection to the ocean the ceremony feels not just appropriate but inevitable — the only farewell that could have been truly adequate to who that person was.

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Burial at Sea — What Families Need to Know

How to Arrange a Burial at Sea

Arranging a burial at sea involves several steps that differ depending on whether the service is military or civilian and whether full body burial or cremated remains scattering is being planned.

For military burial at sea through the United States Navy the process begins with contacting the Navy Mortuary Affairs office. The family will need to provide documentation of the deceased's military service — typically the DD Form 214 — along with a completed burial at sea request form. The Navy will coordinate the logistics of the burial and notify the family once it has been completed, providing the GPS coordinates of the burial site and other documentation. The timeline from request to completion can range from several weeks to several months depending on Navy ship schedules and operational availability.

For civilian burial at sea the process is arranged privately. The family should begin by contacting a funeral home or charter boat service that specializes in maritime disposition — not all charter companies offer this service so it is important to find one with specific experience in burial at sea ceremonies. If full body burial is planned the EPA permit application should be submitted as early as possible to allow adequate processing time. If cremated remains scattering is planned no advance permit is required but the family should ensure the charter vessel is authorized to travel at least three nautical miles offshore and that the captain is familiar with the legal requirements.

What Does Burial at Sea Cost?

The cost of burial at sea varies significantly depending on the type of service chosen.

The United States Navy burial at sea program is provided at no cost to eligible veterans and their families. This is one of the most significant and least known veteran benefits available — families of eligible veterans should always consider this option before arranging a private civilian service.

For civilian cremated remains scattering the primary cost is the charter vessel. Depending on the location, the size of the vessel, the number of guests, and the distance traveled the cost typically ranges from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Additional costs may include the biodegradable urn, flowers and wreaths, and any officiant or ceremony coordinator fees.

For civilian full body burial at sea the costs are considerably higher — typically ranging from five thousand to ten thousand dollars or more when the EPA permit, specialized casket preparation, weighted casket, and charter vessel fees are all included. This is a more logistically complex arrangement and families should work with a funeral home experienced in maritime disposition to ensure all requirements are met correctly.

Personalizing a Burial at Sea Ceremony

One of the most beautiful aspects of a civilian burial at sea is the freedom to create a ceremony that is completely personal to the individual being honored. Unlike military burials which follow established protocols, civilian ceremonies can be shaped entirely by the family's wishes, the deceased's personality and values, and the relationships present on the water that day.

Music played from a portable speaker can fill the air with the songs that mattered most to your loved one. Readings — scripture, poetry, personal letters — can be shared by whoever feels called to speak. Each family member can take a turn releasing a handful of biodegradable flower petals onto the water. A moment of silence on the open ocean, surrounded by the people who loved the deceased, with nothing but water and sky in every direction, carries a particular gravity and peace that is unlike anything available in a conventional funeral setting.

Families who want a printed program for the ceremony — something to hold during the service and keep as a keepsake afterward — can create one using the customizable templates available at The Funeral Program Site. A maritime themed program with ocean imagery, the coordinates of the burial site, and the order of the ceremony creates a lasting memento of a farewell that deserves to be remembered in detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can family members be present at a military burial at sea? Generally no. The United States Navy conducts military burials at sea from active duty vessels while they are underway — family members are not able to board the ship for the ceremony. The Navy provides documentation and GPS coordinates to the family after the burial is complete. Some private charter services offer military-style ceremonies at sea where family can be present, though these are separate from the official Navy program.
• How deep is burial at sea? For full body burial the minimum depth required by EPA regulations is 600 feet, with many designated areas requiring 1800 feet or more. For cremated remains there is no minimum depth requirement — only the three nautical mile distance from shore.
• Can I visit the burial site afterward? For cremated remains scattered at sea there is no fixed burial site to visit — the remains disperse naturally through the ocean. For full body burial the Navy provides GPS coordinates which some families visit by boat on anniversaries and other significant dates. Many families find comfort in the fact that the ocean itself — any ocean, any shore — becomes a place of connection to the person they have lost.
• What can be placed in the water during the ceremony? Only biodegradable materials are permitted. Fresh flowers and flower petals, biodegradable wreaths, and biodegradable urns are all acceptable. Plastic, synthetic materials, and non-biodegradable items of any kind are not permitted under EPA regulations.
• How do I notify the EPA after scattering cremated remains? The EPA provides an online reporting form specifically for this purpose. The notification must be submitted within 30 days of the scattering and includes basic information about the date, location, and GPS coordinates of the scattering. The funeral home or charter service handling your burial at sea can typically assist with this notification.
• Is burial at sea available everywhere in the United States? The ocean is required — so burial at sea is most practically arranged in coastal states. However families from inland states can absolutely choose burial at sea by arranging travel to a coastal location. The ceremony itself can be planned as part of a meaningful final journey that honors the deceased's connection to the ocean regardless of where they lived.

Additional Resources

For more information on burial at sea and other end of life options visit our complete resource hub. Our library of guides, video tutorials, and expert resources is designed to help families make confident and informed decisions about every aspect of the funeral planning process.

For the complete burial at sea resource guide visit: Burial at Sea — Complete Family Resource Guide

Conclusion

Burial at sea is not simply a logistical alternative to ground burial or traditional cremation. It is a farewell of a particular kind — one that speaks to who a person was, what they loved, and where they felt most fully themselves. For the families who choose it, the experience of committing their loved one to the open ocean is one they carry with them for the rest of their lives. Not as a source of grief, but as a source of peace. The knowledge that the person they loved is part of something vast and enduring and beautiful — something that touches every shore on earth — is a comfort that no other farewell can quite replicate.

If burial at sea feels right for someone you love, explore the resources above, ask the questions that matter, and trust that the ocean has been receiving the beloved dead of every culture on earth for as long as human beings have lived beside it. It knows what to do with what you bring it. And so, with the right guidance and the right support, do you.