Scattering Ashes – Burial at Sea

By BCBailey | September 22nd, 2016 

Many people who wish to scatter a portion or all of the cremated human remains of a loved one choose to do so in the ocean. What they often do not know is that the federal Environmental Protection Agency requires that “Cremated remains shall be buried in or on ocean waters of any depth provided that such burial takes place at least three nautical miles from land.” Also, the EPA requires that you “notify EPA of the burial at sea within 30 days following the event. All burials at sea conducted under the MPRSA general permit must be reported to the EPA Region from which the vessel carrying the remains departed.”

Those who have a boat and wish to scatter can use this form to make their report to the appropriate regional office.

If you do not have a boat or wish for someone else to take care of the details, we have partnered with Sea Services to offer scattering services. The unattended Captain’s Service starts at $195. With this plan, the captain scatters the cremains and provides you with a certificate showing the day, time and location where the scattering took place.

If you have ashes you have been holding onto as you try to determine how to scatter at sea, contact us at 203-265-1111 or 844-9BAILEY and we would be happy to coordinate the details for you.