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Burial at Sea Guides & Resources

Planning a burial at sea involves decisions that touch on legal requirements, personal preferences, budget, and the specific wishes of the person you're honouring. Our guide hub covers every dimension of the process — from understanding the basic mechanics of how burial at sea works, to knowing exactly what EPA rules apply, to finding the right biodegradable urn for a dignified ocean placement. These guides are written for families who are early in their research, as well as those ready to book and looking for final details.

Core Guides

Guide

How Burial at Sea Works

A complete step-by-step guide — from death to ceremony. Covers ash scattering vs full body burial, the 8-step process, what to expect on the day, and what happens after the ceremony. Essential reading for anyone new to the concept.

10 min read Costs

Cost of Burial at Sea (2026 Price Guide)

Comprehensive price guide covering unattended ash scattering ($195–$695), attended ceremony charters ($695–$2,500), full body burial ($3,500–$8,000+), eco memorial reefs, and US Navy military burial (free). Includes hidden costs to watch for.

7 min read Legal

Is Ash Scattering Legal in the Ocean?

The short answer is yes — but with rules. This guide explains the EPA's MPRSA 3nm requirement, the 30-day notification rule, state-by-state variations, and an international quick-reference table for the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

8 min read Products

Best Biodegradable Urns for Ocean Burial

Coming soon — a detailed guide to biodegradable sea urns, eco memorial reefs, and weighted placement options. Covers salt-based urns, paper urns, reef balls, and how to choose the right option for your ceremony. Article in progress.

Coming Soon

How to Use These Guides

If you're just starting your research, we recommend reading the guides in this order:

  1. How Burial at Sea Works — understand the full process first. This will help you know what questions to ask providers.
  2. Is Ash Scattering Legal? — know the legal framework for your state or country before booking anything.
  3. Cost Guide — understand the real price range and what's included in different service levels, so you can budget accurately and avoid surprises.

Once you understand the basics, use our USA State Directory or International Directory to explore the laws, costs, and requirements in your area.

Popular Questions We Answer

Start With the Basics

Our free guides explain how burial at sea works, what it costs, and the legal requirements — everything you need to understand your options.

Read: How It Works

Browse by Location

USA

California

Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, Monterey

 USA

Florida

Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Key West, Jacksonville

 USA

Hawaii

Oahu, Maui, Big Island, Kauai — Hawaiian blessing ceremonies

 International

United Kingdom

MMO licensed services, Newhaven, Tynemouth, Needles burial grounds
Disclaimer: All guides on OceanFarewell are for informational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, medical, or funeral industry advice. Always verify specific rules with the relevant EPA regional office, state authority, or funeral director before proceeding.