Full Body Burial at Sea in California
A full body burial at sea is a federally regulated, dignified alternative to traditional burial that allows a loved one to be laid to rest in the open ocean. These services take place at approved offshore locations at least three nautical miles from land and are conducted in full compliance with EPA and federal maritime regulations.
Funerals Your Way is a fully licensed California funeral home (FD #2188) and one of the few providers authorized to coordinate every aspect of a full body sea burial, including preparation, permitting, vessel coordination, and documentation. Services may be arranged as family-attended ceremonies or unattended committals, depending on the family’s wishes.
A full body burial at sea, sometimes referred to as a complete body burial at sea, is different from having one’s ashes scattered. A burial at sea can be performed with either a specially manufactured burial shroud or an approved metal burial casket. This option is open to civilians, active-duty military personnel, and veterans. There is a growing interest from families wanting this type of environmentally friendly, meaningful disposition option. According to the EPA, there were 2,544 full body burials at sea performed in the United States in 2020. Prior to the burial, pacemakers and other banned items must be taken out.
Full Body Burial at Sea – Starting Cost
Full body sea burial pricing typically begins at $8,500, depending on whether the service is attended, vessel requirements, and regulatory considerations. All arrangements include coordination with federal authorities, preparation according to maritime standards, and professional oversight by a licensed funeral director.
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Why Families Choose Funerals Your Way for Full Body Sea Burial
Arranging a full body burial at sea requires more than access to a vessel — it requires licensed authority, federal compliance, and experienced coordination. Families choose Funerals Your Way because we provide complete oversight, clear guidance, and compassionate support throughout the entire process.
What sets us apart:
Licensed California Funeral Home
Funerals Your Way is a fully licensed funeral home (FD #2188), allowing us to legally arrange, coordinate, and pre-plan full body sea burials — not just provide transportation or vessel access.
Full Federal & EPA Compliance Handled for You
We manage all required documentation, filings, and coordination with federal agencies, including EPA burial-at-sea reporting. Families do not need to navigate complex regulations on their own.
Attended or Unattended Services
Families may choose to attend the burial at sea aboard a permitted vessel, or request an unattended committal conducted respectfully on their behalf.
Pre-Need Planning Available
Because we are a licensed funeral home, we can arrange and secure pre-need full body sea burials in advance, providing peace of mind and protecting future costs.
Experienced Maritime Coordination
We work with approved vessels and captains familiar with federally designated sea burial locations, ensuring each service is conducted safely, legally, and with dignity.
Civilian and Military Burials
Full Body Burial at Sea for Civilians
Burial at Sea for Military Families (U.S. Navy Program)
The process of obtaining a burial at sea for military veterans can take anywhere from six to twelve months, or even longer, depending on the vessel and military deployment schedules. During this time, Funerals Your Way can keep the deceased in our custody, however families should keep in mind that this time frame could result in additional costs.
To qualify for a burial at sea with the military, one must have an honorable discharge. However, because there are different types of discharge classifications, families are advised to speak with the military as there may be approval options available.
For families interested in the cultural and historical aspects of this practice, we have an article available on our website documenting the full body burial at sea process and all its intricacies.
Why Select a Full Body Sea Burial
Deep Connection to the Sea: People with deep love and connection to the ocean can be buried with their whole bodies at sea. This gives them a final resting place that fits their desire and link to the sea.
Serene and Peaceful Setting: The open sea serves as a quiet and peaceful background for the burial, giving the farewell ceremony a sense of calm and peace.
Environmental Considerations: Opting for a full body burial at sea promotes ecological sustainability, as it allows for natural decomposition and minimizes the use of finite land resources, making it an eco-friendly choice.
Unique and Memorable Farewell: A full-body burial at sea offers a distinctive and memorable way to bid farewell to a loved one. The ceremony and symbolism of releasing the body into the ocean’s vastness can create a powerful and enduring memory for family and friends.
Emotional Closure and Healing: Witnessing the final journey and releasing a loved one’s physical presence into the ocean can bring a sense of emotional closure and healing. It allows for a meaningful and cathartic experience, aiding the grieving process.
Honoring Maritime Heritage: For individuals with a solid maritime heritage or those who have spent their lives at sea, a full body burial at sea becomes a poignant way to honor and pay tribute to their unique life story and connection to maritime traditions.
Personalized Options: With full body burial at sea, there are options to accommodate personal preferences, such as selecting a casket or shroud, allowing for a more personalized and customized farewell ceremony.
Commemorative Rituals and Ceremonies: A full body burial at sea gives the departed friends and family a chance to gather, exchange stories, and participate in a special ceremony that honors the deceased’s life. This builds a sense of support and togetherness.
Professional Assistance and Guidance: Undertaking a full body burial at sea can be complex. However, dedicated professionals experienced in this service can provide guidance and support and ensure that all necessary arrangements are taken care of, relieving the burden on the family during this challenging time.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy: Opting for a full body burial at sea allows the departed to leave a lasting legacy, forever intertwined with the vast and majestic ocean, serving as a poignant reminder of their connection to the sea for generations to come.
Detailed Preparation Standards for Full Body Sea Burial
Full Body Burial at Sea – Shroud Option
A shroud is a cloth covering wrapped around the deceased for burial. However, there is an important difference between a shroud used for earth burial and one used for full body burial at sea.
The earth burial shroud only has to cover the deceased with simple ties because it is gently placed in the earth.
The shroud can be decorated as the family wishes. The family will often add flowers for all guests to participate in the full-body sea burial. Floral arrangements and fragrances may also be incorporated as part of the ceremony.
There are a variety of fabric colors which are available for the shroud to suit the family’s tastes. To be a bit more ornate different color ribbons may also be attached. Many families will write messages on the shroud to the loved one.
The shroud should reflect the loved one’s tastes; colors are selected depending on their wishes.
The outer part of the shroud can look as the family wishes. The internal part, however, is folded appropriately and weighted very precisely to ensure that the loved one stays on the ocean floor.
Burial at Sea – Casket option
We recently prepared a casket for a veteran who chose to have his burial off a United States Navy military ship at sea. We held him in our care for approximately ten months until a military vessel became available for the service. The video below shows the preparation process for this burial, coordinated in accordance with U.S. Navy requirements.
Full-body burial can be an excellent option for individuals who have a special attachment to the ocean. This option is often selected by individuals who spent their lives on the water, including Navy personnel, fishermen, or others with a strong connection to the sea.
All preparation, weighting, and reporting requirements are handled in full compliance with EPA and federal burial-at-sea regulations.
Casket Selection and Preparation for Sea Burial
A metal casket must be used, as it is designed to degrade appropriately in the marine environment. Metal caskets are available in various finishes, and families may choose a more decorative option if desired.
Perhaps there is a traditional church service before the full body sea burial, and the family wishes for a more elaborate casket.
A wooden casket cannot be used for a few reasons. It does not degrade appropriately in the marine environment; wood caskets are generally much heavier and, as a result, more difficult to handle on the deck of a ship on the ocean. Wood is also positively buoyant (it floats), so it would require more ballast to sink, adding to the issue of handling the casket in choppy seas.
No Non-Biodegradable Items
Funeral personnel will remove all non-biodegradable materials from inside the casket. These materials include plastics, pillows, interior linings, and any other items that could introduce pollutants into the ocean.
At least twenty 2-inch holes are drilled into the casket to allow water in and the air to leave, resulting in it sinking rapidly. For privacy, we may cover the holes with cloth or paper so the body is not visible to passengers. However, we cannot use plastic containing adhesives or tape.
The funeral home will also place metal straps around the casket to ensure the lid stays closed.
Lastly, the casket must be delivered and held on the ocean floor. To ensure this, additional weight (ballast) is placed inside the coffin. This is done to achieve a total weight of at least 300 lbs. This additional weight offsets any buoyancy from the body and casket itself. More weight will be placed toward the feet, allowing for the feet to sink first.
United States Navy – Burial at Sea Program’s Guidelines for Casket Preparation (2010)
Frequently Asked Question for Full Body Sea Burial
How much does a full body burial at sea cost?
The cost of a full body burial at sea typically begins at $8,500, depending on whether the service is attended, vessel requirements, and federal regulatory considerations. A licensed funeral director can explain options clearly before any arrangements are made.
Where Does a Full Body Burial at Sea Take Place?
Full body burials at sea take place in federally approved ocean locations at least three nautical miles offshore and in waters exceeding 600 feet in depth.
All services are conducted in full compliance with EPA and federal regulations, which we handle on the family’s behalf. https://funeralsyourway.com/wp-content/uploads/map-of-ocean-floor.jpg
Is full body burial at sea legal?
Yes. Full body burial at sea is legal when conducted in compliance with federal regulations, including EPA requirements and approved offshore locations at least three nautical miles from land. Funerals Your Way handles all required documentation and filings.
Can I Arrange in Advance and Pre-Pay for Sea Burial?
Because we are a fully licensed funeral home, we can arrange prepayment. In California, funeral homes doing pre-need must have the money held securely. We do this utilizing an insurance company that has been around for over 100 years and specializes in pre-need policies. For more information on pre-need funeral arrangements, view the section on our site. We are the only funeral home in San Diego that can arrange all aspects of whole-body sea burial.
Are There Specific Times of Year for Sea Burial?
We are mindful of the weather when we go to the ocean, specifically in this case, where we are going several miles offshore. Full-body burial at sea is available all year round, but during the winter, it is slightly more challenging to catch a weather window for the trip.
Is there fear of full Body Sea Burial?
Fear of an unknown situation is common. Full-body burial at sea is an ancient tradition in many cultures. For a historical perspective, see our articles:
FROM GREEKS TO SAILORS: TRACING THE ORIGINS OF FULL BODY SEA BURIAL
For a discussion of some of the fears a family may experience with this type of burial, see our article:
BEYOND THE WAVES: EXPLORING THE PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF FULL BODY SEA BURIAL
Can Family Attend and How Many?
We certainly hope the family can attend, but if not, we can perform the burial at sea in their absence and either video or take pictures of the event. The number of people that can attend varies by the yacht selected, but we can always use other ships to accommodate more people if needed.
Can the Body be Embalmed?
Often the body is not embalmed, but it certainly could be if the family wishes to do a traditional church service or a public viewing, then we would recommend embalming. If so, we would generally use a more “green” environmental procedure. Green embalming uses a non-toxic, biodegradable solution that helps preserve the body and restores its appearance.
Is the Body Likely to Float After a Few Days?
No. The body is carefully prepared, weighted, and buried at depths far exceeding minimum requirements. Cold temperatures and ocean pressure ensure permanent placement on the ocean floor.
Can I do a Viking Style Burial at Sea?
No – the burning boat creates smoke and air pollution. As well it is a hazard to navigation for other vessels. As well, there are no guarantees that the body would sink after. So it sounds romantic, but it cannot be done.
Is a Full-Body Burial at Sea a Green Burial?
A full-body sea burial is a natural way to go – very green! Here is why.
When a body is buried in the sea, the ocean becomes a natural carbon sequestration mechanism. As the remains sink to the depths, they undergo a process called marine snow, where organic matter from the body provides nourishment for various aquatic organisms. These organisms consume the organic matter and release carbon dioxide during respiration. However, a significant portion of the carbon is assimilated into their bodies and eventually settles on the ocean floor, effectively removing it from the atmosphere for an extended period. This burial at sea contributes to the ocean’s ability to sequester carbon, playing a small but essential role in mitigating climate change. It is a much greener burial than cremation and scattering cremated remains.
Does Canada allow full-body sea burials?
Yes. Canada permits full-body burials at sea under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Requirements include burial at least three miles offshore, use of a biodegradable shroud or casket, proper weighting, and advance notification to authorities.