Best Biodegradable Urns for Water Burial: A Guide to Floating Urns That Return to Nature
When someone you love has asked to be returned to the water, one of the first questions that comes is: how do I find the right urn?
Not a cold, impersonal container. Not something plastic that sits on the ocean floor forever. But something gentle. Something that feels like care. Something that floats for a moment — long enough for you to breathe, to say their name, to watch the water receive them — and then dissolves, leaving nothing behind but the memory of that moment.
That's what a biodegradable water urn is. And if you're here, searching for the right one, I want you to know: the fact that you're thinking this carefully about how to say goodbye says everything about the love you carry.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know — what biodegradable urns are made of, how they work on the water, how long they float, how to choose the right size, and what makes a water burial urn truly meaningful.
What Is a Biodegradable Water Urn?
A biodegradable water urn is a vessel designed to hold cremated ashes and be released onto a body of water — an ocean, a lake, a river, or a bay. Unlike traditional urns made of metal, stone, or ceramic, a biodegradable urn is crafted from natural materials that break down completely in the water, leaving no trace in the environment.
These urns are sometimes called floating urns, dissolvable urns, or eco-friendly urns — all names for the same intention: a farewell that honors both the person you love and the natural world they're returning to.
At Pachamama, our urns are handcrafted from sustainable, cotton-based biodegradable materials. Each one is adorned with a tissue paper flower, made by hand, because we believe that even in grief, beauty matters.
How Does a Biodegradable Urn Work on the Water?
When you place a biodegradable urn on the surface of the water, it floats. Not for long — usually between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, depending on the size of the urn, the weight of the ashes, and the conditions of the water.
During that time, the urn sits gently on the surface. The flower catches the light. The water holds it, almost tenderly. Many families describe this as the most meaningful part of the ceremony — the pause between letting go and truly releasing.
After those moments, the urn begins to absorb water and slowly sinks beneath the surface. Once submerged, the biodegradable bag inside dissolves within 1 to 2 minutes, releasing the ashes into the water. The outer urn dissolves completely over the following days — usually within a week — leaving nothing behind.
No plastic. No metal. No toxins. Just a gentle return to nature.
What Are Biodegradable Urns Made Of?
Not all biodegradable urns are the same. Some are made from sand and salt. Others from paper pulp, gelatin, or cornstarch. The materials matter — because they determine how the urn behaves on the water, how quickly it dissolves, and whether it's truly safe for marine life.
Pachamama urns are made from cotton-based biodegradable materials — soft, lightweight, and designed to float before dissolving. The ashes bag inside is water-soluble. The flower on top is made from tissue paper. Everything in the kit returns to nature.
When choosing a biodegradable urn, look for materials that are certified as safe for aquatic environments, free from plastics, metals, and synthetic dyes, designed to float briefly before sinking (not all biodegradable urns float), and gentle enough to dissolve without harming wildlife or water quality.
How to Choose the Right Size
Choosing the right size depends on how much of the ashes you plan to release. Some families release all of the ashes in one ceremony. Others keep a portion at home and scatter the rest.
Large (11.5" x 8.5" x 3.5") holds up to 6 pounds of ashes. This is the right size for a full set of adult cremated remains.
Medium (8.5" x 6.5" x 3") holds up to 3 pounds. Perfect for sharing ashes among family members, for children, or for families who want to hold multiple ceremonies in different locations.
Small (5.5" x 4" x 1.5") holds a portion of ashes. Ideal for keepsakes, for infants, or for small pets. Many families use a Large urn for the main ceremony and give Small urns to siblings, children, or close friends as personal tributes.
If you're not sure which size is right, write to us at hello@pachamamatributes.com. We'll help you choose with care.
Where Can You Use a Biodegradable Urn?
Biodegradable water urns can be used in the ocean (at least 3 nautical miles from shore, per EPA regulations in the U.S.), in lakes and rivers (check state and local regulations — rules vary), from a cruise ship (most major cruise lines allow it with advance notice and a biodegradability certificate), from a private boat or charter, and from the shore, letting the waves carry the urn out.
Each Pachamama urn comes with a Certificate of Biodegradability, which is accepted by most cruise lines and meets EPA compliance for burial at sea.
For detailed guides on specific locations, visit our Burial at Sea EPA Guide, our Cruise Lines That Allow Ash Scattering page, or our Scattering Ashes in Lakes and Rivers guide.
What Comes in a Pachamama Water Burial Kit?
Our kits are designed so you don't have to think about logistics — you can focus on the moment. Each kit includes a handcrafted biodegradable urn with tissue paper flower, a water-soluble ashes bag, step-by-step ceremony instructions, dried flower petals to scatter as a blessing after release, a curated music playlist (QR code) for the ceremony, and a Certificate of Biodegradability for cruise lines and EPA compliance.
Everything you need for a complete, meaningful water farewell — in one box, prepared with love.
Biodegradable Urns vs. Traditional Urns: What's the Difference?
Traditional urns are designed to preserve. They're made from materials that last — marble, brass, ceramic, wood. They're meant to sit on a mantel or be placed in a columbarium. They hold ashes permanently.
Biodegradable urns are designed to release. They're made from materials that return to nature. They're meant to hold ashes for a ceremony — a moment of presence, of intention, of letting go — and then dissolve, carrying the ashes into the water or the earth.
Neither is better or worse. They serve different purposes. If your loved one wanted to be returned to nature — to the ocean, a lake, a river, a garden — a biodegradable urn is the right choice.
What Families Say About Their Experience
"Gave us enough time to say goodbye, as mom's ashes quietly and gently merged into the lake overlooking her favorite mountain." — Tammy
"The paper flower sort of blossomed when it touched the water." — Sign in with Apple user
"It was beautifully crafted. We did a burial at sea off a cruise ship. Virginia was amazing." — Crystal
"One floated for a bit while the other went down pretty quick. I thought these were great and created a beautiful moment for our family." — Jennifer
"A perfect vessel for an ocean send off." — Deborah
These moments are why we do this work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a biodegradable urn float? Between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, depending on the size, weight of ashes, and water conditions. The float time gives families a quiet moment to watch, breathe, and say goodbye before the urn gently sinks.
Will the urn harm fish or marine life? No. Cremated ashes are sterile mineral compounds, and our urns are made from natural, non-toxic materials that dissolve safely in any body of water.
Can I use a biodegradable urn on a cruise ship? Yes. Most major cruise lines — including Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, and Princess — allow biodegradable urn ceremonies at sea. A Certificate of Biodegradability is included with every Pachamama urn.
What if I want to keep some ashes at home? Many families use a Large or Medium urn for the water ceremony and keep a Small urn at home as a keepsake. You can also explore our Pet Memorial Kits for a warm, at-home tribute.
Do I need to file any paperwork? For ocean ceremonies in U.S. waters, the EPA requires a simple report within 30 days. There's no fee and it takes about 5 minutes. For lakes and rivers, check your state and local regulations.
Can I add flowers or petals? Yes — natural, biodegradable flowers and petals are welcome. Avoid anything with wire, plastic, ribbon, or synthetic materials.
A Final Thought
A biodegradable urn is not just a container. It's a bridge between holding on and letting go. It gives you a moment — brief, sacred, unrepeatable — to watch the water receive someone you love. And then it disappears, because it was never about the urn. It was about the love.
If you're looking for a way to say goodbye that feels gentle, meaningful, and kind to the earth, I hope this guide has helped. And if you need anything — a question answered, a size recommendation, a word of comfort — we're here.
Virginia