Certificate of Biodegradability

Every Pachamama Ceremony Urn Includes a Certificate of Biodegradability

When you plan an ash scattering ceremony at sea, most cruise lines and charter boats require one thing above all else: proof that your urn is truly biodegradable. That's why every Pachamama biodegradable ceremony urn ships with an official Certificate of Biodegradability, included at no extra cost.

This isn't just a piece of paper we created ourselves. Our ceremony urns are crafted from GreenKraft material, certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) BioPreferred® Program as 100% biobased content. This federal certification confirms that these urns will return gently and completely to the earth or water, without plastics, metals, or toxins.

View Our USDA BioPreferred® Certificate (PDF)

Which urns does the certificate cover? Our Water Tribute Urns, Cruise Farewell Urns and Burial Urns with Flower Seeds — the pieces made for a water or earth ceremony. Our keepsake urns for the home and pet memorial urns are a different line, designed to keep ashes indoors rather than to dissolve, and they do not include the certificate.

Why Does This Certificate Matter?

Under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulation 40 CFR §229.1, cremated remains may be scattered at sea as long as the container is readily decomposable in the marine environment. A biodegradable urn satisfies this requirement, and the certificate serves as your written proof.

For cruise ship ceremonies specifically, the certificate is not optional. Cruise lines require it before allowing any ash scattering from their vessels. Without it, your ceremony may be denied at the guest services desk, even if you've already made arrangements.

Accepted by Every Major Cruise Line

Families have used our certificate successfully on all of the following cruise lines:

• Royal Caribbean International
• Carnival Cruise Line (requires 12 nautical miles from shore as of March 2026)
• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Princess Cruises
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America Line
• Disney Cruise Line

Each cruise line has its own specific policy regarding guest limits, advance notice, and ceremony procedures. Visit our complete cruise line guide for details on each one.

What Makes Pachamama Different from Other Urns?

Most biodegradable urns sold online do not include a certificate of any kind. Families discover this too late, sometimes while already on their cruise, and are turned away at the guest services desk. At Pachamama, the certificate is part of what we do. It ships inside your box, ready to present.

Our complete ceremony kit also includes a biodegradable ash bag, a handcrafted tissue paper flower, and a step-by-step ceremony guide. Everything you need, nothing you have to figure out on your own.

Shop Cruise-Approved Urns with Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all biodegradable urns come with a certificate?

No. Most biodegradable urns sold online, including popular options on Amazon and Etsy, do not include any certificate of biodegradability. Pachamama includes one with every biodegradable ceremony urn at no additional cost.

Is the certificate accepted internationally?

Yes. The USDA BioPreferred® certification is recognized internationally. Families have used our certificate for ceremonies in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, and Pacific waters.

What if the cruise line asks for additional documentation?

Some cruise lines may ask you to fill out a request form in advance. Our certificate satisfies the biodegradability requirement on those forms. If you need help with any cruise line paperwork, email us at hello@pachamamatributes.com and we'll walk you through it.

Do I need the certificate for a private boat or beach ceremony?

For private ceremonies, the EPA requires that the container be readily decomposable but does not require a certificate. However, many families appreciate having it for peace of mind and as a keepsake for their records.

Is the certificate the same for all urn sizes?

Yes, for our biodegradable ceremony urns. Small, Medium and Large are all made from the same USDA-certified 100% biobased material, so the certificate applies to every size.

Do your keepsake urns for the home include the certificate?

No. Our indoor keepsake pieces — such as the candle urn and our sculptural keepsake urns — are made to hold a portion of ashes at home, not to dissolve in water, so they are not biodegradable and do not include the certificate. If your ceremony is at sea or on land, choose one of our biodegradable ceremony urns instead. If you are doing both — a ceremony and a portion kept close — many families order one of each.

Can I get a replacement certificate?

Of course. Email us at hello@pachamamatributes.com with your order number and we'll send a new certificate right away.