For many people, the ocean feels like the right resting place — vast, peaceful, and timeless. Burial at sea is a real, legal, and often surprisingly affordable option in the United States, and arranging it is more straightforward than most families expect.
Whether you are planning ahead for yourself or carrying out a loved one's wish, this guide walks you through the two forms of sea burial, the federal rules that govern it, what it costs, how to arrange it through a provider, and the free program available to eligible veterans.
The two forms of burial at sea
"Burial at sea" covers two very different practices, and it helps to know which one you mean before you start planning.
- Full-body burial at sea. An intact, uncremated body is committed to the ocean and allowed to sink to the seafloor. This is the traditional image of sea burial, but it is logistically demanding and relatively rare. The body must be prepared so that it sinks quickly and remains permanently submerged.
- Scattering or interring cremated remains at sea. Far more common, this involves either scattering ashes on the water or placing them in a biodegradable urn that sinks and dissolves. It is simpler, cheaper, and available almost anywhere there is access to the open ocean.
If you are still weighing cremation against a traditional burial in the first place, our guide on burial vs. cremation can help you think it through before deciding where the remains will go.
The EPA rules you need to follow
Burial at sea in U.S. waters is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. The good news: you do not need to apply for a permit beforehand. But you do have to follow the rules and report the burial afterward.
| Requirement | Full-body burial | Cremated remains |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum distance from shore | At least 3 nautical miles | At least 3 nautical miles |
| Minimum water depth | 600 ft (1,800 ft in some regions, e.g. parts of the Gulf and off Florida/Mississippi/Texas) | No federal depth minimum |
| Report to EPA | Within 30 days | Within 30 days |
| Materials | Body must sink rapidly and stay submerged | No plastic or non-biodegradable items in the water |
A few practical points behind those rules:
- Distance and depth. The three-nautical-mile rule keeps burials well outside swimming and fishing zones. Depth requirements ensure a full body settles where it will not resurface or wash ashore.
- Biodegradable materials only. Flowers, wreaths, and urns placed in the ocean must decompose readily in the marine environment. Plastic, metal, and synthetic materials are prohibited.
- No embalming required — and often discouraged. For full-body sea burial, embalming chemicals are generally avoided. This overlaps with the philosophy behind green burial options, which favor natural decomposition.
- Reporting. The person conducting the burial files a short report with the EPA regional office within 30 days, noting the date, location (latitude and longitude), and what was committed.
For beach or near-shore scattering, which has its own state-by-state rules, see our dedicated walkthrough on how to scatter ashes at sea.
How to arrange a burial at sea through a provider
Most families work with a charter captain or a specialized sea-burial company rather than handling everything alone. A good provider takes care of the navigation, the EPA reporting, and a short ceremony on the water.
- Choose your type and level of attendance. Options usually range from a fully private chartered ceremony with family aboard, to a shared trip with other families, to an unattended service where the crew performs the committal and sends you the coordinates, a logbook entry, and sometimes photos.
- Confirm what's included. Ask about the vessel, how far offshore they go, biodegradable urn or shroud options, the number of guests allowed, and whether the EPA report is filed for you.
- Gather paperwork. You will typically need a certified copy of the death certificate and, for cremated remains, the cremation certificate. Our guide on how to get a death certificate explains how to obtain these.
- Plan the ceremony. Many providers allow readings, music, or scattering of biodegradable flower petals. You might fold elements of a celebration of life into the day, on the water or back on shore.
What burial at sea costs
Costs depend heavily on which form you choose and how involved the service is.
- Scattering or interring cremated remains: roughly $150 to $1,500. Unattended services sit at the low end; a private charter with family aboard costs more.
- Full-body burial at sea: typically $4,000 to $10,000 or more. The expense reflects the larger vessel, the distance traveled, and the specialized preparation and weighting of the body.
- Biodegradable urn: often $50 to $200 on top of the charter, if not bundled in.
Compared with a conventional funeral, a sea scattering can be one of the more affordable choices. To see how it stacks up against other end-of-life expenses, our overview of funeral costs puts the numbers in context. As with any provider, get the full price in writing and watch for add-ons.
The U.S. Navy's free program for veterans
The U.S. Navy offers a committal-at-sea program at no cost to eligible service members, veterans, and certain dependents. The Navy performs the committal during regular operations aboard a Navy vessel — which means the family cannot be present, and there is no set schedule; it can take weeks or months.
After the ceremony, the commanding officer sends the family a letter with the date, time, and coordinates of the committal, along with photos or a video and any flag that was used. The program accepts both cremated remains and, in limited cases, full-body burials. Required documents typically include the death and cremation certificates, a photocopy of the DD-214 (discharge papers), and a burial transit permit. This is one of several veteran funeral benefits worth knowing about — see also military funeral honors for the ceremonial recognition available to veterans.
Biodegradable urn options
If you want cremated remains to descend together and rest as a whole rather than disperse on the surface, a water-burial urn is the way to go. Look for urns specifically rated for water:
- Sand and salt urns that dissolve within minutes of entering the water.
- Paper, gelatin, or plant-fiber urns designed to float briefly for a graceful farewell, then sink and break down.
- Himalayan rock salt urns, which sink and slowly dissolve over hours.
Avoid anything with plastic, varnish, or metal hardware. For a fuller look at choices, including keepsake and scattering styles, see our cremation urns guide and our overview of what to do with cremation ashes.
A few things to plan ahead
Sea burial is final and the location is fixed by coordinates rather than a visitable plot, so talk it through with family first. Some people love having a specific spot on the water to return to; others miss having a headstone or marker. Writing your wishes down — perhaps in a last wishes letter — spares your loved ones from guessing later. If sea burial is part of a larger plan, fold it into your end-of-life planning checklist so the practical details are documented in one place.
This article offers general information, not legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules can change and vary by EPA region and state. Confirm current requirements with the EPA and a qualified funeral or maritime professional before making arrangements.