Sea Burial Ceremony at Sea
At California Sea Burial, every ocean farewell is designed with care, compassion, and respect. We help families create meaningful ceremonies that reflect the wishes of their loved one — blending tradition, personal touches, and the natural beauty of the sea for a truly memorable experience.
Why Families Choose a Sea Burial Ceremony
There is no right or wrong way to have a burial at sea – ash scattering service. It should be tailored to the wishes of the family and reflect what the deceased would have wished.
Often, special things happen on the yacht that have meaning to the family and we have lots of stories of special events. Some of these stories relate to the people on the charter and some relate to what happened on the ocean with wildlife.
Each Service Reflects a Unique Individual’s Life
Charter Duration and Location
The duration of your voyage is determined by the harbor of embarkation – which city your charter is in. San Diego Bay charters, for example, usually take around two hours because the considerable time spent going from the dock, through the bay, and out into the ocean makes for a longer than average trip duration. Other cities, such as Dana Point, Newport Beach, or similar harbors where the harbor opens directly to the ocean have shorter charters because the scattering site is accessed more easily. That being said, many families choose to add more hours to their charter duration, just for sightseeing, spending time together, or to slow down and relax on the water.
It is common to extend your event for family bonding. Experiencing more scenery or wildlife is always great!
These services have no specific point in the ocean, so families are free to choose a spot where they like the view, the wildlife, or a spot which is personally significant and add their own meaning to make the farewell a bit more special.
Inside the Sea Burial Ceremony
Ceremonies such as these are often relatively short and straightforward, with the goal being to honor the deceased loved one and have a respectful attitude towards the deceased. Typically lasting between 7-10 minutes, with the ability to cater to longer durations, these ceremonies can be customized based on the needs of the family. Furthermore, our team arranges a briefing prior to the charter to go over the planned schedule of the events to ensure family satisfaction and on-time completion of the chartered activities.
Commemoration aboard lies predominantly on the family’s preference, where they have the option to curate wordings with a concerned clergyman, or simply choose to keep the affair on the simpler side. During the event, a welcoming address is made, framing the event. It is then often complemented with the recitation of poems, customized prayers or ranging eulogies. Celebrant family members are also encouraged to provide and share their stories, quips, and instances with the intention of either celebrating or extending love to the beloved distinguished guest. We have heard lots and lots of stories over the years.
It creates a great memorable event, where the blending of moments of sorrow and moments of happiness, provides the families with relief and revival to the solemn occasion.
Cremains are Released to the Ocean
The most memorable part of the ceremony takes place when the remains are delicately placed in the ocean. Moments later, the remains drift and create a stunning veil of rose petals on the surface of the water.
The families have options on how this is done. Some plan for the simple basket covered by the rose petals, while others prefer the biodegradable urn which hovers for a minute before descending into the water. In either case flowers and rose petals drift in the current. This often creates a beautiful trail on the ocean’s surface which is a serene goodbye to the petals as a gift to Mother Nature.
Along with the rose petals, families usually add leis, floral wreaths, or single blooms to the water which offers a striking, beautiful tribute that floats while the boat performs the ceremonial circle.
As nautical tradition dictates, after the cremains are released into the ocean, the ships bell is rung 8 times, denoting the end of watch. After this, the ashes are slowly circled by the yacht and we head back to shore or continue on the rest of the trip.
Rejuvenation after the Sea Burial Ceremony
At this point, the mood on the yacht can be a little somber. To help elevate the spirits of those on boat, we try to breathe life back into you. What happens depends on the city of your charter.
In San Diego, we stop at the bait barge. There are generally a couple dozen sea lions that hang out here – staying dry out of the water and hoping to catch a free lunch.
If in Dana Point the “Dana Point State Marine Conservation Area” this rocky reef, kelp forests, marine habitat provides an opportunity for quieter marine life viewing.
When in Marina del Rey, the Fisherman’s Village Docks provide an opportunity to view Sea lions often lounge on the docks; plenty of birds; nice harbor-views; calming water atmosphere.
FAQ – Ceremony Related Information
How long does a sea burial ceremony usually last?
Most ceremonies are relatively short lasting about 10 minutes, though families are welcome to make them longer if they wish. The entire charter typically takes 1.5–2 hours, depending on the harbor and how much time families want to spend on the water. For more specific information on charter duration see the information contained in the specific city you are scattering from.
Can we choose the exact location for scattering the ashes?
Yes, families are welcome to choose a specific area on the ocean for the ceremony. Some select a spot with personal meaning, while others choose based on scenery or wildlife. We will guide you to locations that are peaceful, beautiful, and legal for ash scattering.
Do we need to bring flowers or are they provided?
Most families bring rose petals, leis, or wreaths, but we can help provide them if requested. Flowers add a beautiful and symbolic touch, floating gently on the water as part of the farewell. We have a complete page on flowers for sea scattering.
Can clergy or religious leaders be part of the ceremony?
Absolutely. Some families invite clergy or spiritual leaders to offer prayers or blessings, while others prefer to keep the ceremony simple and family-led. We’ll help coordinate the timing so it flows smoothly. If clergy are present, they usually say a prayer on the dock before the boat leaves but on occasion, they do come out on the boat.
How many people can join the charter?
Each boat has a maximum capacity based on its size, usually ranging from up to 6 passengers on smaller vessels to 20–40 guests on medium size boat to over 100 on larger yachts. We’ll help you choose the right boat for your group size.
Is the ceremony private, or do we share the boat with other families?
All of our sea burial charters are private events. Your family will have the vessel to yourselves for a personal and intimate farewell.
Are children welcome at the ceremony?
Children are welcome. We recommend letting us know ahead of time so we can ensure safety equipment is ready for them and help make the experience family-friendly and comfortable.
What types of urns are allowed for sea scattering?
We encourage the use of biodegradable urns designed for water burials. They float briefly before sinking and naturally dissolve, making them environmentally friendly and legal for ocean use.