Burial at Sea (U.S.) — Step-by-Step & EPA Guide
Burial at Sea in the U.S.: A Step-by-Step EPA Guide for Families
If you're reading this, you're preparing to give someone you love a peaceful farewell at sea. I want you to know that this process is simpler than it may seem, and you don't have to figure it out alone.
This guide walks you through every step: the EPA rules, what to bring, how to prepare, and how to file the required report afterward. Whether you're planning a ceremony from a boat, a beach, or a cruise ship, everything you need is here.
The Legal Basics (U.S. Ocean Waters)
Under the EPA's Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA), scattering cremated ashes at sea is permitted under a general permit. This means you do not need to apply for permission in advance. You simply need to follow four rules.
Rule 1: The ceremony must take place at least 3 nautical miles from land (roughly 3.5 land miles).
Rule 2: There is no minimum depth requirement for cremated remains.
Rule 3: Use only materials that readily decompose in the marine environment. No plastic, metal, wire, or synthetic materials of any kind.
Rule 4: You must notify the EPA within 30 days after the ceremony by filing a simple online report.
That's it. Four rules. The rest is about making the moment meaningful.
Download: Biodegradability Certificate and EPA Family Worksheet (PDF)
We created a step-by-step worksheet that walks you through everything you need to remember: EPA distance requirements, which documents to bring, a packing checklist for the day, and reporting instructions for how to file the EPA 30-Day Report. This family-friendly guide ensures you can focus on the ceremony itself, knowing all the practical details are already taken care of.
What to Bring
You need less than you think. A biodegradable water ceremony urn with no plastic, metal, or wire. A printed or digital copy of the Biodegradability Certificate (included with every Pachamama urn). Copies of the death and cremation certificates. Optionally, dried flower petals to scatter as a blessing after the urn is released. And if you'd like, a poem, a reading, ceremony message papers, or music to play during the moment.
For a more detailed packing guide, read our compassionate checklist for shore and boat ceremonies.
How It Works: Before, During, and After
Before You Go
Choose a biodegradable urn suitable for water ceremonies. Each Pachamama urn is handcrafted, fully biodegradable, and includes a Certificate of Biodegradability. Prepare the urn completely at home: place the ashes inside the biodegradable bag, seal the bag, place it inside the urn, and close the lid. Do not attempt to prepare ashes on a rocking boat.
If you're using a charter boat or cruise ship, confirm with the captain or Guest Services that the ceremony will take place at least 3 nautical miles from shore. Keep your documents handy in your carry-on or bag.
On the Water (Day Of)
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. If you're on a cruise ship, a crew member may guide you to a safe, quiet area on a designated open deck.
When you're ready, gently place the urn on the water's surface. The urn will float for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before beginning to dissolve and release the ashes beneath the surface. If you wish, scatter dried petals on the water around the urn as it floats. Follow crew guidance for wind direction and footing.
If you're not sure what to say during the ceremony, even a few simple words are enough. "We return you to the ocean, where you always found peace. May the water hold you gently, as you held us."
After the Ceremony
Submit the EPA Burial-at-Sea report within 30 days. The form is simple and takes about 5 minutes. Keep your confirmation email for your records. That is all the EPA requires.
The days and weeks that follow can be harder than you expect. The weeks after scattering ashes often bring a second wave of grief as the finality settles in. This is normal. Small daily rituals can help anchor you through this period.
Burial at Sea From a Cruise Ship
Many families choose to hold their ceremony during a cruise, and most major cruise lines allow it. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, Celebrity, Princess, Holland America, and MSC all generally permit ash scattering from an open deck while the ship is at sea.
Most cruise lines require advance notice through Guest Services. Some require a Biodegradability Certificate, which is included with every Pachamama urn. Ceremonies typically take place from a designated open deck, never from a stateroom balcony. The ship must be at sea (not in port) and at least 3 nautical miles from shore.
We recommend contacting Guest Services before your sailing to confirm their specific policy and arrange a time. Some families find that early morning offers the most privacy and calm.
For detailed guides on individual cruise line policies, visit our Cruise-Approved Biodegradable Urns page. You can also read our full guides on which cruise lines allow ash scattering and how to plan a meaningful farewell at sea on a cruise.
Burial at Sea From a Private Boat or Charter
If you're hiring a charter boat or using a private vessel, the process is straightforward. Confirm with the captain that they can take you at least 3 nautical miles from shore. Most charter captains who offer memorial services are familiar with the EPA requirements and will help you find a calm, meaningful spot.
For a complete guide on planning a private boat ceremony, including wind positioning, who should drive, what to expect when the urn hits the water, and safety considerations, read our full article on scattering ashes from a private boat.
Here is an email template you can send to a charter operator:
Subject: Burial at Sea with Biodegradable Urn, [Date]
Hello [Captain/Operator], we would like to arrange a short ash-scattering ceremony at sea using a fully biodegradable urn. We will ensure the ceremony takes place at least 3 nautical miles from shore and we will file the EPA report within 30 days. We will bring the biodegradability certificate and death/cremation certificates. Could you please confirm a suitable time and location on the day, along with any guidelines we should follow? Thank you for helping our family create a calm, respectful moment.
Burial at Sea From Shore
If you don't have access to a boat, you can still scatter ashes from certain beaches and shorelines. The EPA's 3 nautical mile rule technically applies to ocean waters, and in practice, many families scatter ashes at the water's edge and allow the waves to carry them out.
Check with your local authorities and state regulations before scattering from a beach. Some coastal areas have specific rules. For a complete guide on scattering ashes at the beach, including laws and ceremony ideas, we have a full article that covers everything.
For ceremonies in lakes, rivers, and inland waters, visit our scattering ashes in lakes and rivers guide.
Where This Guide Applies (and Where It Doesn't)
This guide covers U.S. ocean waters under the EPA's MPRSA general permit. No prior application is needed, only post-ceremony notification within 30 days.
Inland waters such as lakes, rivers, and bays are not covered by MPRSA. These are regulated by state and local authorities, and rules vary significantly. Check your state's environmental or health department for specific guidance. Our lakes and rivers guide covers the basics.
How Much Does Burial at Sea Cost?
The cost depends on how you arrange the ceremony.
From a cruise ship you're already sailing on: The only cost is the biodegradable urn itself. Pachamama ceremony kits start at $49 depending on size, with free shipping in the US.
From a hired charter boat: Costs typically range from $200 to $1,000 depending on location, duration, and number of passengers. Some charter services specialize in memorial voyages.
From your own boat or a friend's: The cost is simply the urn and any fuel for the trip.
In all cases, there is no fee to file the EPA 30-day report, and no permit application is required.
For help choosing the right urn size, we have a simple guide that matches your situation to the right option.
Words and Prayers for a Burial at Sea
Many families want to say something meaningful during the ceremony but aren't sure where to start. Here are a few simple options.
"We return you to the ocean, where you always found peace. May the water hold you gently, as you held us."
"The sea has always been a place of freedom. Today, we give you that freedom. Go gently. We carry your love with us."
"We commit these ashes to the deep, where the waters of the earth will cradle them in eternal peace."
For more ceremony words, readings, and blessings, visit our scattering ashes ceremony words guide and our collection of readings and blessings for a water farewell.
Respect for the Ocean
We design our urns to release gently and biodegrade completely, usually within a week. The ashes themselves are natural mineral compounds that pose no harm to marine life. Please use only materials that return safely to nature: no balloons, ribbons, plastic flowers, or synthetic items.
Traveling With Ashes
If you're flying to your ceremony location, you'll need to bring the ashes through airport security. The TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on luggage, and our urns are designed to pass through X-ray screening without issue. For a complete walkthrough of the process, read our TSA rules for traveling with a biodegradable urn and our broader traveling with ashes TSA guide.
A Final Note
Filing the EPA report, gathering your documents, following the 3 nautical mile rule: these are small practical steps. What matters most is the moment itself. Standing on the water, surrounded by the people who loved them, watching the urn float gently before it disappears. That's the part you'll remember forever.
The ceremony doesn't need to be perfect. It needs to be yours.
If you have any questions about planning your ceremony, write to us at hello@pachamamatributes.com. We're here for you.
With warmth,
Virginia