Carnival Cruise Burial at Sea: Cost, Policy & Guide
This Was Her Cruise Line
Maybe your mom sailed Carnival every winter. Maybe your dad loved the poolside chaos, the midnight buffet, the sound of the horn pulling away from port. Maybe the person you lost had never been on a cruise at all, but always wanted to, and this is the trip you are giving them now.
Whatever brought you here, you are looking for the same thing: a way to scatter ashes on a Carnival cruise that is legal, respectful, and meaningful. And you are wondering how complicated it is going to be.
It is not. Carnival makes this simple, and they do it with more care than you might expect from a cruise line known for fun ships and poolside drinks. About 200 families a year hold ash scattering ceremonies on Carnival ships. The crew knows how to do this. They have done it many times before.
Carnival's Official Ash Scattering Policy
Carnival Cruise Line allows ash scattering ceremonies on all ships in its fleet. The ceremony is free. There is no additional charge beyond your cruise fare.
Here is what Carnival requires. The cremated remains must be in a leak-proof, sealed container that can pass through x-ray machines. According to Carnival's official policy, the container can be constructed of wood, plastic, cardboard, or any non-lead-based ceramic. However, if you plan to place the entire urn into the water, which most families do, a biodegradable urn designed for water ceremonies is the best choice. It dissolves naturally and leaves nothing behind.
The remains must have been cremated by a licensed facility. You will need to carry a death certificate and a cremation certificate. If you are using a biodegradable urn, a certificate of biodegradability is also recommended. Pachamama urns include this certificate in every kit.
One important detail: the urn must remain onboard for the entire voyage. You cannot take it off the ship at any port of call. Every country has its own laws about transporting cremated remains, and Carnival requires the ashes to stay in your stateroom until the ceremony.
How to Arrange the Ceremony Onboard
The process starts before you board. Carnival's Brand Ambassador, John Heald, has publicly offered to help families coordinate ash scattering ceremonies. He recommends reaching out two to three days before your sailing with the ship name and cabin number so arrangements can be made in advance.
Once onboard, visit the Guest Services desk on your second day, the first full day after embarkation. Let them know you would like to arrange an ash scattering. They will ask for your preferred date and time, the number of guests attending, and will make a copy of the death certificate.
Guest Services then coordinates with the Environmental and Occupational Safety Officer onboard. Together, they choose a time and location when the ship is in open water, at least 12 nautical miles from any port. This is stricter than the EPA's general three-nautical-mile rule, so Carnival actually exceeds the federal requirement.
If you have a large group, be aware that Carnival caps attendance at 12 people per ceremony. For larger families, Guest Services may arrange to separate the group based on the event location. Confirm your party size when you visit the desk.
For more on what cruise lines require and how to prepare, our cruise-approved biodegradable urns page covers the essentials across all major lines.
What the Ceremony Looks Like
On the arranged date and time, a member of Guest Services or the Environmental Officer will meet you and escort your group to the location. This is often a section of the ship that is not publicly accessible, sometimes reached through crew stairs. It is private. It is quiet. The ocean is wide open around you.
You will be given a moment of privacy to disperse the ashes. Some families read a poem or a prayer. Some stand in silence. Some speak directly to the person they are letting go. There is no script. There is no right way to do this.
If you are placing a biodegradable urn into the water, you will watch it float for a few minutes before it begins to sink and dissolve. If you are scattering loose ashes, you will release them over the railing into the wind and water below. The crew will let you know when wind conditions are favorable.
You can also scatter natural flowers, dried petals, or small biodegradable wreaths alongside the ashes. No plastic ribbons, plastic flowers, balloons, or any non-biodegradable items are allowed.
If you are looking for words to say in the moment, our guide on what to say at an ash scattering ceremony has short, heartfelt phrases that feel natural at sea. And our collection of readings and blessings for a water farewell includes passages families have used during cruise ceremonies.
What Does It Cost?
The ash scattering ceremony itself is complimentary. Carnival does not charge a fee for coordinating the service, providing the escort, or giving you access to the private location on the ship.
Your actual costs are the cruise fare (which you are paying regardless) and the urn. A Pachamama cruise farewell urn starts at $49, includes free shipping in the U.S., and comes with everything you need: the urn itself, a biodegradable ashes bag, a handmade paper flower, dried flower confetti, a ceremony guide, and a curated music playlist on a QR code.
Compare that to hiring a private charter boat for a burial at sea, which typically costs $350 to $2,600 depending on location and group size. A cruise ceremony gives you the same ocean farewell for a fraction of the cost, with the added gift of a trip to grieve, remember, and begin to heal together as a family.
If cost is a concern, our broader guide to cruise lines that allow ash scattering compares policies across Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Holland America, and more, so you can find the sailing that fits your budget.
Bringing Ashes Onboard a Carnival Ship
If you are driving to the departure port, this part is simple. Place the urn in a bag you can carry onto the ship. Have your documents ready for the security screening at the terminal. The urn will pass through x-ray machines just like any other item.
If you are flying to the port, pack the urn in your carry-on bag, never in checked luggage. TSA allows cremated remains through security as long as the container is x-rayable. Biodegradable urns contain no metal, so they clear security without issue. Our TSA guide for flying with a biodegradable urn walks through every step, and our traveling with ashes guide covers airline-specific rules.
Once onboard, keep the urn in your stateroom. It is your responsibility for the duration of the cruise. Do not leave it unattended in public areas. Do not attempt to take it off the ship at any port of call.
Which Carnival Ships Allow Ash Scattering?
All of them. Carnival currently operates a fleet of 27 ships, and ash scattering ceremonies are available on every vessel. However, availability is subject to the specific itinerary and the operational needs of the ship on your sailing. Open-water stretches are required, so port-intensive itineraries may have fewer available windows.
Popular Carnival departure ports include Miami, Port Canaveral, Galveston, New Orleans, Long Beach, and Jacksonville. Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexican Riviera itineraries all provide ample open-water time for the ceremony.
If you are comparing cruise lines, our guide to planning a meaningful farewell at sea covers the emotional side of choosing a cruise for this purpose, regardless of the line.
Can You Divide Ashes and Hold Multiple Ceremonies?
Yes. Many families keep a portion of ashes at home and scatter the rest at sea. Others hold one ceremony on a cruise and another in a garden, at a lake, or at a place their person loved on land.
If you are dividing ashes, our guide on sharing ashes among loved ones explains how to do it thoughtfully. And if you want multiple small urns for different ceremonies, our multi-location memorial guide covers the logistics.
Some families also keep a small portion in a keepsake urn at home as a permanent memorial, while the cruise ceremony serves as the farewell. Both are valid. Both are meaningful. You do not have to choose one or the other.
EPA Reporting After the Ceremony
If the ceremony takes place in U.S. waters, the EPA requires a simple online notification within 30 days. The form asks for the date, approximate GPS coordinates, the name of the deceased, and the name of the vessel. There is no fee.
Ask the officer who escorts your ceremony to note the time and approximate coordinates. Some Carnival ships will provide a letter or certificate with this information, but it is not guaranteed on every sailing, so it is worth asking at Guest Services in advance.
Our EPA burial at sea step-by-step guide walks through the entire reporting process, including the direct link to the EPA form.
What to Bring to the Ceremony
Keep it simple. The ceremony does not need to be elaborate. It needs to be yours.
Essential items include the biodegradable urn with ashes already placed inside, the death certificate and cremation certificate (copies are fine), and the certificate of biodegradability if using a biodegradable urn.
Optional items that families often bring: a printed reading, poem, or prayer. Natural flower petals or dried flowers for scattering. A phone to play a meaningful song (Pachamama kits include a curated ceremony playlist via QR code). A small notepad to record the time and coordinates for your own memory.
Do not bring: plastic flowers, balloons, glitter, synthetic ribbons, or anything non-biodegradable. Carnival prohibits all non-biodegradable materials from being released into the water.
For a more detailed list, our ceremony checklist covers everything you might want to have with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Carnival charge for ash scattering at sea? No. The ceremony is complimentary. The crew coordinates the timing, location, and escort at no additional cost. Your only expenses are the cruise fare and a suitable urn.
What kind of urn does Carnival require? Carnival requires a leak-proof, sealed container that can pass through x-ray machines. Acceptable materials include wood, plastic, cardboard, or non-lead ceramic. However, if you plan to release the urn into the water, a biodegradable urn is the best choice because it dissolves naturally and leaves no debris.
How far from shore does the ceremony happen? Carnival requires the ship to be at least 12 nautical miles from any port. This exceeds the EPA minimum of three nautical miles, ensuring the ceremony takes place well into open water.
How many people can attend the ceremony? Carnival allows a maximum of 12 guests per ceremony. If your group is larger, Guest Services may arrange to separate attendees based on the event location. Confirm your party size when you visit the desk.
Can I scatter loose ashes or do I need an urn? You can scatter loose ashes over the railing when conditions allow. The crew will advise on wind direction. Many families prefer to place a sealed biodegradable urn directly into the water and watch it float, sink, and dissolve, which feels more ceremonial and avoids ashes scattering in the wind.
Can I bring flowers to scatter with the ashes? Yes, as long as they are natural and biodegradable. Fresh or dried petals, small natural wreaths, and loose flowers are all permitted. No plastic ribbons, synthetic flowers, balloons, or glitter.
Do I need to file an EPA report afterward? If the ceremony occurs in U.S. waters, yes. The EPA requires a simple online notification within 30 days. It includes the date, approximate GPS coordinates, the name of the deceased, and the vessel name. There is no fee. Our EPA guide has the direct link.
Can I take the urn off the ship at a port of call? No. Carnival requires cremated remains to stay onboard for the entire voyage. Each country has its own legal requirements for transporting human remains, and Carnival's policy does not allow the urn to be taken ashore at any port.
They Handle It With More Care Than You Expect
Families who have held ash scattering ceremonies on Carnival ships consistently describe the experience as respectful, gentle, and moving. The crew members who assist with these moments understand what is happening. They are not rushing through a checklist. They are standing beside you while you say goodbye.
You might be on a ship with water slides and comedy shows and a deck party happening two floors above. And still, in that quiet corner where the officer escorts you, with the ocean stretching out in every direction, it feels like the most peaceful place in the world.
The ceremony does not need to be perfect. It needs to be yours.
With love,
Virginia