Biodegradable Urns for Sea Burials
Honoring a loved one with a biodegradable urn combines environmental responsibility with timeless beauty. California Sea Burial offers a selection of eco-friendly urns designed to float peacefully before gently returning to the ocean, creating a meaningful and sustainable farewell.
Why Families Choose Biodegradable Urns for Sea Burials
The sea burial with an urn made of biodegradable materials gives that special parting touch, while also taking care of Mother Nature. Available eco-friendly materials that do not pollute the ocean or ecosystem are used to create the special ocean urns.
It is not every biogradable urn that is ocean-appropriate. Some are simply made for land burials. There are families that come to us with ocean-appropriate urns, which raises a different set of challenges. The receptionist… well, we are more than happy to help with any concerns that ensure a dignified and peaceful scattering at sea.
There is a wide variety of sea burial urns. The majority of which are designed to float up to a certain point before descending to the ocean floor. This gives family members enough time to utter their final words, toss in flowers and create a beautiful memory.
Most of our popular unique biodegradable urns and their uses, including instructional videos are presented below.
FAQ – Biodegradable Urns for the Ocean
What materials are biodegradable urns made from?
The biodegradable urns are crafted from paper, clay, salt, sand, and other biocomposite materials that are organic and eco-friendly. They get broken down in water and do not cause any pollution. All biodegradable urns are made in accordance with EPA standards since they dissolve in water.
How long do the biodegradable urns take to sink?
It depends on the type and the design of the urn. Certain urns, like the salt urns, sink instantly. These urns weigh about 20lbs without cremains and sink rapidly when placed in the water. Other urns like pillow-top or seashell urns sink down slowly and gently after floating, thus giving time for final tributes.
Do biodegradable urns come in different forms or colors?
Of course. They are offered in a variety of forms such as turtles, seashells, pillows, and simple spheres, and in different colors to match and honor the preferences and personality of the departed.
Can the urn be decorated before the ceremony?
Yes. We encourage families to write messages, attach flowers and leis, or otherwise personalize the urns before placing them in the water, thus making for a remarkably personal tribute. Some additional details are provided later on this page. We have a picture on our site of a family member holding a turtle urn that has messages written on it.
Are there urns big enough to hold the cremated remains of two persons?
Yes. Some urns, like the Seashell Biodegradable Urn, can often hold the cremains of two people, making them a perfect match for couples being scattered together.
Are there restrictions on carrying a biodegradable urn on a plane?
Most airlines permit carry-on and checked biodegradable urns, provided they comply with TSA screening rules (they generally do). Additionally, cremains in general should have a transit permit to transport the cremains. Your funeral home will be able to help you with this.
What’s the best way to select an urn for the family?
It depends on the budget, float time, preferred design, and whether you want the urn to sink right away or after a short ceremony. You are also welcome to speak with our team who can help you select the most suitable choice based on your needs.
Biodegradable Turtle Urn
Families bereaved often choose this biodegradable turtle urn for sea burials as it is our best seller. Made of eco-friendly materials, the turtle floats for a time then sinks beneath the ocean, providing families with a beautiful moment as the turtle disappears.
Before release, people can paint, decorate, or write messages on the turtle as a way to pay tribute and reminisce. Many families do the preparation and bring the turtle with them on the day of the charter. Some families add tradition and color by placing a fresh flower lei around the turtle’s shell.
Smaller “baby turtles” that hold a small portion of the ashes are optional for larger gatherings. Family members, say are 3 siblings releasing a parent, can release their own turtle as a group for a shared, meaningful farewell as the sun glitters on the open sea.
These stunning photos and this lasting memory of saying goodbye beautifully capture the bright blending of personalization and natural eco friendliness of the ceremony.
Biodegradable Salt Urn
Elegantly crafted from blocks of ancient salt deposits, the Biodegradable Himalayan Rock Salt urns offer beauty and historical significance. Having lived for more than 250 million years, the salt carries with it the beauty of nature and the art of solitaire. Furthermore, the individual striations and patterns of each vessel enhance the detail and value.
When positioned under direct sunlight, the urns shimmer beautifully, capturing the focus of attendees. This evokes an image of beauty and peace, something loved ones carry for the departed. Especially the gentle embrace of sunlight, reflecting off the urn, the kin symbolically understand the glow, extending warmth. This adds to the overall positive aura of the ceremony.
Highlighting the urns, every Body, particularly of a departed individual, is aligned with the philosophy of peace and nature. This can be perceived from the approach of placing the cremains of the body into a biodegradable bag which is an eco-friendly approach.
The 20lbs urns, infused with the classic salt, sink elegantly to the ocean floor instead of floating, signifying peace and purity. Instantly descending adds to the clean and dignified approach to the ceremony, along with the positive regulation to the environment.
These families commend the natural beauty and eco-friendly design elements of the urns and the calm, elegant way in which they merges with the ocean.
A friend of mine passed a few years ago who was a scuba diver. After a service with a salt urn his friends placed the urn on an underwater shelf at a depth of 300ft. I am sure my friend would have loved this as his final resting place.
Biodegradable Sea Shell Urn
Undoubtedly, the Seashell Biodegradable urn is among the most unique and elegant choices when considering vessels for an ash scattering ceremony at sea. Offered in multiple color options which include coral, sand, binak, and the like, these urns uniformly complement the oceans and oceans and provide families with an easy and elegant method of ash scattering.
The Seashell urn is also designed to accommodate the cremains of two individuals, making it a suitable choice for families or spouses wishing to pay their final respects to each other.
The Seashell urn, unlike the vast majority of biodegradable urns, is designed to float longer on the surface of the water before sinking. This attribute allows extra time for families to conduct their last rites, say their prayers, or cast flower petals upon the urn before it submerges. With some designs, small holes can be drilled to control the sinking time of the urn, for those who wish to have shorter ceremonies.
The slow, elegant float the Seashell urn takes before sinking creates a magnificent, serene tribute, and the Seashell urn itself becomes a part of the ocean — a suitable resting place for those who cherished the ocean or desired an urn of natural elegance.
💡 Tip: For military families that intend to hae their loved one sattered from a military ship. The drop to the water from a militayr vessel is going to be at least 50ft. th eonly urn that is going to survive a fall like that intact is this urn.
Biodegradable Pillow Urn
The Pillow Top Biodegradable Urn is a great simple option for families wanting a cheap and environmentally friendly option when it comes to sea burial. Family members can take comfort from the delicate and relaxing shape of the urn in the form of a pillow, and feel a sense of peace as the urn is sent floating above the waves, and before the final rest is sent to the bottom of the sea, signifying eternal peace at last.
This urn comes in a wide range of calming colors such as ocean blue, dark blue, white, gray, and green. The Pillow Top Biodegradable Urn is a great option for families as they are allowed to pick the color they feel that the deceased resonates with. The ocean blue and dark blue colors are gorgeous and blend wonderfully with the sea. The white and gray colors are also stunning and carry a more classic, timeless look, for those that are more traditional.
The Pillow Top Memorial Urn is one of the cheapest in our collection, which makes it a great pick for families wanting a prestigious and memorable ceremony at a lowered cost. The urn is made with as much care, emphasis and 100% biodegradable materials as the rest of the collection, and is safe to use for sea burials.
The Pillar Top urn is designed to float on water’s surface at the beginning of the ceremony whilst providing the family the opportunity to reflect, say prayers, or release flowers to the urn. After a few moments the urn will vanish indulgently beneath the surface of the ocean. The effect created by the slow, gentle sink is a soft, tranquil moment shared by the audience which provides resolve and closure whilst the urn merges with the ocean.
To farewell the urn, many families surround it with floating petals and rose coloured wreaths, enhancing the ceremony with vibrant hues.
Flying with a Biodegradable Urn
Travelling with biodegradable urns does not generally pose any concerns, since they can be X-rayed. We do recommend that you take them as carry on luggage when they are already full with cremains. You do not want to take the chance of loosing them.
If urns cannot be x-rayed then you will have to take them as checked baggage. You should always check with the airline as rules can change.
How to Decorate Biodegradable Urns
For biodegradable urns used in sea burials, you need to make sure any paint or decoration is environmentally safe and fully biodegradable so it doesn’t harm marine life. Here are the best options families can use as well as a downloadable guide for decorating Biodegradable Urns.
Recommended Paints & Markers
Water-Based Acrylic Paints
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- Look for non-toxic, water-based acrylics labeled as eco-friendly or biodegradable.
- Brands like ECOS Paints or Natural Earth Paint work well.
Natural Milk Paints
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- Made from milk proteins, lime, and natural pigments, completely safe for the environment.
- Example: The Real Milk Paint Co.
Water-Based Markers
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- Non-toxic, kid-safe markers like Crayola Washable Markers or Prang Eco-Friendly Markers are good for writing names or messages.
Soy-Based or Plant-Based Dyes
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- These can be used for softer coloring or tie-dye effects on paper urns or fabric covers.
Avoid
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- Oil-based paints
- Spray paints with solvents
- Sharpies or permanent markers with chemical solvents
- Any paint or glue with plastic polymers or toxic additives
Other Ideas
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- Pressed flowers or petals attached with a natural cornstarch glue
- Handwritten messages using pencil or charcoal for a simple, natural look
How to fill and Use Biodegradable Urns
Water Soluable Bag
Each of these urns includes a water soluble bag inside it. It looks a bit like a plastic bag but will immediate designate when in contact with water, releasing the cremains into the ocean. The cremains are placed in this water soluble bad and then placed inside the biodegradable urn.
Hint: It is often easier to place the plastic bag into the urn without cremains and then gradually adding cremains, as the opening for the urn is often to small to allow it to be filled outside the urn
Placing a Biodegradable Urn in the Ocean
As a gesture of respect, each earn should be placed into the ocean by hand (if possible) and not dropped or thrown. On some vessels because of the height from the water a system with ropes may need to be devised to low the urn to the waters surface.
Dropping or throwing the urn may damage it and not allow it to float or perform as it was designed to do.