About Us | California Sea Burial – Ocean Farewells
I had a sailboat at the time and a colleague from work asked me to perform an ash scattering at sea for his family, his cousin had passed away. This was around 2002. I remember taking his family out for the ash scattering and watching as the flowers made a trail in the ocean current. The whole experience was lovely. We went off the tip of Point Loma in the San Diego area with the city and Hotel Del in the background. It is funny how life’s twists and turns lead you to a new place sometimes. I didn’t know it then, but I was also stepping onto a new path, one that would extend far beyond that afternoon and that little boat.
From Humble Beginnings to Dedicated Service
Over the years, we held ceremonies from time to time, but everything came into sharper focus in 2007. That was the year we made the commitment to offer farewell services. We bought a beautiful power yacht—elegant, cushioned, and flooded with light through oversized windows—so families could feel at home while gliding on the open water. In 2009, we took another step, adding Coast Guard–approved vessels capable of holding 48 guests. Suddenly, we were doing a lot more scatterings. Presently, our largest yachts welcome 120 people, and we are using various harbors such as San Diego, Newport Beach, Dana Point and more.
Supporting Families on Land and Sea
We listen closely, and in 2013, we heard families asking for help before the boat ever left the dock. Becoming licensed as funeral directors let us fit another piece into the puzzle, leading to the opening of Funerals Your Way—a sanctuary in the heart of San Diego. Now families can, in one conversation, arrange for gentle cremation, paperwork, and water scattering with the same caring team. Over the years, community partnerships with local hospices have deepened, allowing us to guide thousands through difficult times—both on the day of loss and many steps before, during thoughtful pre-planning.
Where We Are Today
From the very first makeshift sailboat to the present 120-foot ocean-resistant vessel, the compass heading never changed: we gather to mark final moments with compassion, dignity, and the personal touches that matter most. California Sea Burial and Funerals Your Way blossomed quietly. They both reflect that commitment shown in the glowing gratitude of hundreds of five-star reviews. Whether a simple scattering for the immediate family or a more elaborate even with hundreds of attendees, we are able to help at this most difficult time in the lives of a family, thus ensuring the farewell becomes a lasting memory of love and peace.