Burial at Sea: Resources, Checklists & Everything You Need to Plan a Water Ceremony

When you're preparing to return someone you love to the sea, the last thing you need is to feel lost in paperwork. Between EPA rules, cruise line policies, TSA guidelines, and the emotional weight of the ceremony itself — it can feel like too much to hold at once.

This page exists so you don't have to search. Everything is here: the rules, the checklists, the templates, and the links to every guide we've written. Keep this page bookmarked, print what you need, and let us carry the logistics so you can focus on what matters — the moment itself.

Your Complete Planning Guides

We've created detailed guides for every part of the process. Each one is written with care — not just the rules, but the emotional reality of what you're going through.

Burial at Sea — EPA Rules (Step by Step) Everything about EPA requirements for burial at sea in U.S. waters: the 3 nautical mile rule, what materials are allowed, how to file the 30-day notification, and what the general permit covers. This is the most complete EPA burial at sea guide we offer — read it first if you're planning any water ceremony in the United States.

Cruise-Approved Biodegradable Urns: How to Scatter Ashes at Sea How to bring ashes on a cruise ship, what documents cruise lines require, how to coordinate with Guest Services, and policies for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, and Disney Cruise Line.

Traveling with Ashes — TSA Rules for Cremated Remains Can you bring ashes on a plane? Yes. This guide covers TSA rules, what containers are approved, what documents to carry, and why we recommend using a travel container for the flight and saving your Pachamama urn for the ceremony.

How Long Do Biodegradable Urns Float? What to expect when you place the urn on the water: float time (30 seconds to 2 minutes), what affects it, and what happens as the urn dissolves completely.

Scattering Ashes in Lakes and Rivers Rules and considerations for inland waters — state regulations, choosing a meaningful location, ceremony ideas, and alternatives if scattering isn't permitted.

Scattering Ashes at the Beach How to plan a beachside farewell: laws, tide considerations, ceremony ideas, and what to bring.

Sharing Ashes Among Loved Ones How families divide ashes among siblings, children, and close friends using multiple urns — and why many choose one Large Urn for the main ceremony with Small Urns for personal farewells.

Ceremony Readings and Blessings Gentle words to say during the ceremony — readings, blessings, and prompts for when speaking feels too hard but silence feels too empty.

Scattering Ashes Quotes, Poems & Prayers A collection of meaningful quotes, original poems, prayers for every faith, and words organized by relationship — for mother, father, spouse, child, sibling, friend, and pet.

How to Write a Farewell Letter A guide for families who want to write a letter to their loved one — to read aloud by the water, tuck inside the urn, or keep as a personal keepsake.

Designing a Farewell Ceremony That Feels Like Them How to create a goodbye that reflects who they were — choosing the place, bringing what matters, including children, and letting the moment unfold.

How to Use Your Pachamama Urn — Step by Step A simple guide to preparing your urn for the ceremony: opening, placing ashes, sealing, and releasing on the water.

Downloadable Worksheet

Plan your ceremony with confidence using our EPA Burial at Sea Worksheet (PDF). It includes a step-by-step checklist, space to note coordinates and ceremony details, and direct links to the EPA online reporting form.

👉 Download EPA Worksheet (PDF)

Quick Reference: EPA Rules for Burial at Sea

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates all burials at sea in U.S. waters under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Here's what you need to know:

All ceremonies must take place at least 3 nautical miles from shore. On a cruise ship, this happens naturally while the ship is at sea.

Only biodegradable materials may be released into the water — urns, flowers, petals. No plastics, metals, ribbons, balloons, or synthetic materials.

Within 30 days of the ceremony, you must submit a brief Burial at Sea notification to the EPA. This is a simple online form. We include a direct link and instructions with every order.

No advance permit is required for cremated remains. The 30-day report is the only legal requirement.

All Pachamama biodegradable urns meet EPA requirements. They contain no plastics, metals, or toxins, and dissolve completely within approximately one week.

For the full step-by-step guide, visit our EPA Burial at Sea page.

Quick Reference: TSA Rules for Flying with Ashes

Cremated remains must travel in your carry-on bag — not checked luggage.

The container must be X-rayable: wood, cardboard, plastic, or a TSA-approved travel urn.

TSA officers will never open the container. If it cannot be scanned, it will not be allowed through security.

Carry copies of the death certificate and cremation certificate — not always required, but helpful.

Our Pachamama urns are too delicate for air travel — use a temporary travel container for the flight and transfer ashes into the urn at your destination.

Full guide: Traveling with Ashes — TSA Rules

Quick Reference: Cruise Line Ceremonies

Most major cruise lines allow ash-scattering ceremonies with Guest Services coordination and a biodegradable urn.

Documents to bring: Certificate of Biodegradability (included free with every Pachamama order), death certificate, cremation certificate.

Ceremonies take place on an open deck at sea — never from stateroom balconies.

Only natural, biodegradable flowers and petals are allowed.

Full guide: Cruise-Approved Biodegradable Urns

Ceremony Packing Checklist

Whether your ceremony is on a cruise ship, from a boat, at a beach, or by a lake — here's everything to bring:

Your Pachamama biodegradable urn, sealed and ready.

Certificate of Biodegradability — printed or saved on your phone (included with every order).

Death and cremation certificates — copies are fine.

Dried rose petals or natural flowers (no plastics, ribbons, or wire).

Ceremony Message Papers — optional biodegradable cards for family members to write and release.

A small cloth and hand wipes for after the release.

Your phone with the farewell music playlist (QR code included in every kit).

Words for the ceremony — our readings and blessings page has gentle options.

Guest Services Message Template

If your ceremony is on a cruise ship, here's a message you can send before sailing:

Subject: Ash-Scattering Ceremony at Sea — Reservation [Your Booking Number]

Hello Guest Services Team,

We are traveling on [Ship Name] on [Sail Date] and would like to arrange a brief ash-scattering ceremony at sea using a fully biodegradable urn. We will bring our biodegradability certificate along with the death and cremation certificates. Could you please advise on an appropriate time and deck location, and any guidelines we should follow?

Thank you for helping us create a calm, respectful moment for our family.

EPA Report Reminder

After the ceremony, set a calendar reminder for 30 days to submit your EPA Burial at Sea notification. It's a simple online form that takes a few minutes. We include the direct link with every order. Save the confirmation for your family records.

Our Urns for Water Ceremonies

Every Pachamama Water Ceremony Urn comes as a complete ceremony kit: the biodegradable urn with a handcrafted tissue paper flower, a biodegradable ashes bag, dried flower confetti, step-by-step ceremony instructions, a curated farewell music playlist, and a Certificate of Biodegradability for cruise ship ceremonies.

Available in three sizes: Large (up to 6 lb of ashes), Medium (up to 3 lb), and Small (for keepsakes or sharing among family members). Choose from multiple flower colors in our Cruise Farewell Urns collection or our Water Ceremony Urns collection.

For families honoring a beloved pet, our Pet Memorial Kits include a keepsake urn, candle holder, and optional photo frame and engraved name tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do I need for a burial at sea in the U.S.? A biodegradable urn, the ceremony at least 3 nautical miles from shore, and an EPA notification submitted within 30 days. No advance permit is required for cremated remains.

Do I need permission to scatter ashes at sea? No advance permit is needed in U.S. waters for cremated remains. You only need to file the EPA notification after the ceremony. For cruise ships, coordinate with Guest Services once on board.

What documents should I bring to a water ceremony? Certificate of Biodegradability (included with every Pachamama order), death certificate, and cremation certificate. For cruise ceremonies, all three are typically required by Guest Services.

Can I plan a ceremony on my own or do I need a service? You can absolutely plan it on your own. Our urn kits include everything you need — the urn, ashes bag, petals, ceremony instructions, and music playlist. Many families hold beautiful, intimate ceremonies without any professional service.

What if I need help fast before a cruise departure? Email hello@pachamamatributes.com with your sail date and ship name. We prioritize time-sensitive orders and will do everything we can to get your urn to you in time.

Can I scatter ashes in a lake or river instead of the ocean? Yes, but inland waters are regulated by state and local authorities — not the EPA. Rules vary by state. Read our lakes and rivers guide for details.

Planning a farewell takes courage. You're doing this because you love someone, and you want their goodbye to be as meaningful as their life. Everything on this page is here to help you get there — one step at a time.

We are here if you need us.

With love,

Virginia