FAQ
How much of a deposit is required to reserve a voyage date?
A 50% deposit is usually required on booking and 50% a few days before we depart after our weather check.
What is included in the price?
Boat, Captain, service (Crew if required for groups over 6), two certificates (more optional), waters, ice and soft drinks are provided.
Is Tipping Appropriate?
It is appropriate to tip the Captain / Mate. 10-15% of the cost of the charter for attention to detail and outstanding service.
Do you have references?
Funeral home recommendations and individual family recommendations are available upon request. Happy to share.
How close to the shore can the ashes be scattered?
The ashes must be scattered a minimum of three miles from shore.
Is ash scattering legal?
Yes it is and we report each scattering to the EPA in the region that the ashes are scattered in as required by law.
Are you insured?
Yes, by a top rated company as well as by Funeral Homes and vessel operators/owners.
Are you licensed?
Yes, USCG Master Captain ~ 100 Gross Tons including Towing and Sail. License # USA000012723, Mariner # 2724307.
How long do the cruises last?
Cruises vary upon location and ceremony but average approximately 2 -1/2 hours.
Is there a time limit?
The fee includes three portal to portal hours. Anything over the 3rd hour costs $200 per hour depending on vessel size and availability.
Can the family help decide where to scatter the ashes?
We will try to accommodate any requests you may have. Please consult with the captain on your agreed float plan before the scheduled charter.
Is there a bathroom aboard?
Most vessels have a full private “head” aboard. If not, we will advise.
Can we bring our young children aboard for an at sea event?
It has been our experience that children older than seven years can understand the reason for the sea memorial event. Explaining end of life and cremation can be a trying time for anybody and may not be easily understood by children under 7 years of age. We have also found that infants through six years of age can be more susceptible to motion sickness aboard a moving vessel which then can become uncomfortable for the child and the parent or care giver as well as others attending the service. Choice is important and it is not really possible to “leave the vessel” like “leaving a church” therefore we recommend that all children over 7 years of age are best suited to attend sea tributes while youngsters under 7 may best understand the reason for the memorial from dockside. We often have youngsters touch and or bless the cremated remains from dockside before departures from the dock making them feel part of the event. Each case is individual as is the circumstance and we wanted you to know our experience to this very important question that families often ask. Safety Equipment: We are equipped for 3 years of age through 100 years of age in our required USCG Safety Equipment. New Borns and infants up to three years of age will not fit into a child life jacket and a shore side baby sitter is recommended.
Is lunch provided?
Light refreshments are provided. Depending on your package selection, you can bring your own snacks, or hearty box lunches can be provided.
Is Alcohol allowed?
Responsible Beer and Wine consumption are allowed and within reason. Please enjoy spirits dockside. If a vessel has an onboard bar, you will be advised of that service and beverages need to be purchsed from the on board bar per Insurance and USCG regulations versus bringing your own.
Can we bring music on CD’s on an iPod?
Most of the vessels are equipped with a sound system for customer-provided musical selections. Please check with the Captain when making your reservation as we can help you.
Can we take pictures and or video?
Yes. The captain is also more than happy to take a family shot for you. We also have available a PHOTOSHOW where we take the choice shots, include in an online program complete with DVD so family members who were unable to attend can see the actual sea tribute through the eyes of the lense–please inquire at to the cost for this photo option.
What is the appropriate dress?
We suggest casual, with a wind breaker, with flat soles on your shoes. While we are at sea, please dress for comfort while outdoors versus dressing as if you might be in a house of worship.
What if the trip is cancelled due to weather?
Your safety and enjoyment at sea is our prime area of focus and responsibility. Should poor weather be forecasted or occur during your charter period, the Captain reserves the right to cancel and/or postpone a sailing for the safety of the passengers and crew. Deposits are 100% refundable in this instance. If the charter has commenced and poor weather eventually rolls in, a mutually acceptable pro rated cost adjustment share of the total fee will be charged, with a minimum fee of $250. The cancel fee prior to the trip can be seen on the RATES page.
Full Body Burial at Sea FAQ:
For generations a sea burial was the best alternative available for those who died at sea.
We all have seen at least one movie where the ships captain weighed the body down, wrapped it in a plain sheet with American flag and allowed it to gently slide into the ocean off the side of a military ship followed by a word or two from the Chaplin or captain complete with an honor guard shot volley from the crew.
We have improved on this age old experience and are well versed with all of the current USCG and EPA rules and regulations associated with Sea tributes for your loved one.
Answers to some questions
Can a full “intact” body legally be buried at sea in the United States?
YES. There are however many regulations and requirements which we follow.
Would a direct burial at sea be expensive for a full body?
Very cost efficient—prices start at $7,500 and this is an eco friendly-casket free service—we believe in natural green ocean burials and use a custom biodegradable sea shroud versus a clunky, non ocean friendly required metal casket.
A full body buried at sea must happen in waters of a specified 600’ depth, mainly to insure that the body remains at the ocean’s floor.
Any additional burial costs would be added if desired such as preparing the deceased for viewing and transporting the remains to the vessel and the individual sea shroud and weights.
Why can’t I perform a full sea burial myself?
You can but it will take some time to comprehend all the rules and regulations, get the proper insurance, vessel, EPA reporting forms, crew and sea tribute service. We advise that it is best to leave all of this important detail planning up to we Maritime and Funeral professionals as there are many state applicable laws and regulations including securing any and all necessary permits. For the sake of the environment, your upmost at sea safety and obliging the law, do not perform a sea burial without being certain you comply with local and federal regulations.
Can I do this with pre-planning?
You sure can and we will recommend the local funeral directors to arrange it for you. We do not hold future event deposits longer than 30 days.
I want to make arrangements. Where and how do I start?
Call us at New England Burials At Sea Direct at (781) 834-0112. We can offer you many choices in ash scatterings and full body sea tributes. We are licensed, insured, recommended and ready to meet your needs within 48 hours in most cases. Be sure to call us for a free info pack at (781) 834-0112
Are there environmental laws and regulations governing Burial at Sea?
Yes and we have the EPA laws posted on our website and also below www.NewEnglandBurialsAtSea.com.
Burial at Sea additional FAQ’s
“Uncle William always wanted an at sea burial. He loved the beach, ocean, cruising the Maine and Cape Cod coastlines and really loved fishing. He made our family promise to have his wishes fulfilled to be buried at sea. He often said “it is a better deal too! No casket or cemetery plot or fancy service, just a voyage by boat out three miles with a simple captain’s service.”
Can Sea Burials be done legally?
A: “Yes”
Who can do it for our family as we are mourning and don’t understand all the matitime details?
A: “New England Burials At Sea”
Whose permission do you need?
A: “The EPA for burial permits and the USCG for charter vessel licensing”
What type of container should be used?
A: “None is best as being ocean friendly is being smart”
How far out to sea do you have to go?
A: “Three miles for ash scatterings and to 600 ‘ of water for a full body sea buriala-about 25-75 miles to sea on the east coast.”
Can we legally scatter ashes on an inland river or lake?
A: “No”
Who do you have to notify?
A: “The EPA”
Can the family go?
A: “You bet and we encourage it”
How much will it cost?
A: “Starts at $395 – $895 -$2500 – $10,000 depending on the # of people attending, the type of ocean committal (Ashes or Full body) and the intended geographic location of your event”
“….about the cremated remains? My Uncle William said that you can scatter his ashes from one of the jetties , a bridge or a nearby beach . I’d like you to do that with his ashes. Is it possible?”
A: Possible yes…Illegal yes..
If you scatter ashes from a local jetty or beach, you are breaking Federal Law. The Environment Protection Agency requires in Volume 40, Part 229, page 2489, that “cremated remains shall be buried in or on ocean waters without regard to the depth limitations provided that such burial shall take place no closer than three nautical miles from land.” Additionally, a detailed report shall be made “within 30 days to the Regional Administrator of the region from which the vessel carrying the remains departed.” Decomposable flowers may be scattered at the same time.
Are there other scattering options?
A: “Yes”. The USCG may perform this ash scattering services for veterans but you are not allowed to attend. Contact them for requirements which are basically the same as outlined above. The Coast Guard will not arrange for the burial at sea of non cremated remains (unless the deceased was actively on Coast Guard duty or was a retired Coast Guard Officer. Requirements are somewhat vague but are probably the same as for the Navy.)
Your best level of service will be through a Private charter boat captain like New England Burials At Sea who can easily provide this service and fees range from $395 for unattended scatterings to $895 for family attended scatterings for up to six people per person (Decedent’s) cremated remains and up to $7,500 – $10,000 for a full body depending on the number of people attending, geographic location and type of sea tribute.
New England Burials at sea has many years of experience in the scattering of cremated remains and full-body burials at sea. Please contact us for a free info pack at Brad@BradWhite.com
What about if Uncle William was in the Military?
A: If you want cremated remains scattered from a U. S. Naval vessel, contact the District Medical Office for your location and they will specify the requirements. Basically, they are a letter of authorization by the “Primary Next-of-Kin”, a certified copy of the death certificate and the cremation certificate to accompany the cremated remains to the assigned location. Unfortunately you are not able to attend a Navy Burial At Sea program. See below for more information.
What are the rules of the EPA?
Burial at Sea – EPA Requirements for Scattering Ashes at Sea
As you make your preparations to bury a loved one at sea, you need to understand the Federal laws that regulate this activity. EPA granted a general permit to allow for burials at sea. The permit is published in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 40, Chapter 1, Section 229.1 (PDF) (1pp, 52 KB). The information below will guide you in how to conduct a legal burial at sea.
The burial at sea regulations are based on the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuary Act of 1972. According to the regulations human remains transported from U.S. ports or on U.S. vessels or aircraft may be buried at sea under specified conditions. These include cremated as well as non-cremated remains. Burial in or on inland waters is regulated according to the Clean Water Act. For inland waters burial, a permit is required from the appropriate state agency.
Please note the requirement that the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) be notified within 30 days after burial.
[Code of Federal Regulations] [Title 40, Volume 12, Parts 190 to 259] [Revised as of July 1, 1996] From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access [CITE: 40CFR229.1]
TITLE 40PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
CHAPTER IENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
PART 229GENERAL PERMITSTable of Contents
Sec. 229.1 Burial at sea.
(a) All persons subject to title I of the Act are hereby granted a general permit to transport human remains from the United States and all persons owning or operating a vessel or aircraft registered in the United States or flying the United States flag and all departments, agencies, or instrumentalities of the United States are hereby granted a general permit to transport human remains from any location for the purpose of burial at sea and to bury such remains at sea subject to the following conditions:
(1) Except as herein otherwise provided, human remains shall be prepared for burial at sea and shall be buried in accordance with accepted practices and requirements as may be deemed appropriate and desirable by the United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, or civil authority charged with the responsibility for making such arrangements_
(2) Burial at sea of human remains which are not cremated shall take place no closer than 3 nautical miles from land and in water no less than one hundred fathoms (six hundred feet) deep and in no less than three hundred fathoms (eighteen hundred feet) from (i) 27 deg.30’00” to 31 deg.00’00” North Latitude off St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral, Florida_ (ii) 82 deg.20’00” to 84 deg.00’00” West Longitude off Dry Tortugas, Florida_ and (iii) 87 eg.15’00” to 89 deg.50’00” West Longitude off the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana, to Pensacola, Florida. All necessary measures shall be taken to ensure that the remains sink to the bottom rapidly and permanently_ and
(3) Cremated remains shall be buried in or on ocean waters without regard to the depth limitations specified in paragraph (a)(2) of this section provided that such burial shall take place no closer than 3 nautical miles from land.
(b) For purposes of this section and Secs. 229.2 and 229.3, “land” means that portion of the baseline from which the territorial sea is measured, as provided for in the Convention on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, which is in closest proximity to the proposed disposal site.
(c) Flowers and wreaths consisting of materials which are readily decomposable in the marine environment may be disposed of under the general permit set forth in this section at the site at which disposal of human remains is authorized.
(d) All burials conducted under this general permit shall be reported within 30 days to the Regional Administrator of the Region from which the vessel carrying the remains departed.
The burials conducted under this general permit must be reported in detail within 30 days to the Regional Administrator of the region from which the vessel carrying the remains departed.
Regarding burials at sea off CT, NY, NJ, MD, DE, the continental shelf extends from 50 – 80 miles off shore. It is only after you go this far that you find water over 600 feet deep therefore a day’s journey is required for this sea tribute and at New England Burials At Sea we use vessels that are large enough and comfortable enough for the trip.
Burial at Sea REGIONAL Contacts
Region 1:
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont
Ann Rodney
Burial at Sea Coordinator – US EPA
5 Post Office Square – Suite 100
Mail Code – OEP-06-1
Boston, MA 02109-3912
(617) 918-1538
Region 2:
New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands
Patricia Pechko (pechko.patricia@epa.gov)
Burial At Sea Coordinator
US EPA Region 2
290 Broadway
New York, NY 10007-1866
(212) 637-3796
Region 3:
District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
Renee Searfoss (searfoss.renee@epa.gov )
Burial At Sea Coordinator
EPA Region 3
1650 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 814-2137
Region 4
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4
Attn: Gary Collins
61 Forsyth Street Southwest
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 562-9395 Fax: (404) 562-9343
E-Mail: Gary Collins (collins.garyw@epa.gov)
Region 6:
Louisiana and Texas
Stephen Bainter (bainter.stephen@epa.gov)
Burial At Sea Coordinator
US EPA Region 6
1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 1200
Dallas, TX 75202-2733
(214) 665-2793
Region 9:
California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and Trust Territories
Allan Ota (ota.allan@epa.gov)
Burial At Sea Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 972-3476
Region 10:
Alaska, Oregon and Washington
Burney Hill (hill.burney@epa.gov)
Burial At Sea Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 10
Regional Administrator’s Office, RA-140
1200 Sixth Avenue Suite 900
Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 553-1761
Fax: (206) 553-1775
If the decedent is eligible for burial at sea by the U. S. Government, please see details described above – New England Burials At Sea can assist where necessary but the Navy handles their own program—please note, families are not allowed to attend Navy Programs but can attend sea tributes with New England Burials At Sea.
Picture (c) United States Navy Mortuary Affairs from 1944
USS Intrepid 1944
