Burial at Sea is the most solemn maritime ceremony. Our procedure for Burial at Sea is based on that deemed appropriate and desirable by the U.S. Navy.  Scatterings and Placements of Cremated Remains At Sea are subject to national regulation, state statute, and local government code.  Urn placements generally need to occur outside territorial waters, that is at least 3 miles from land.  Scatterings on the sea surface can occur closer.  All regulations require that cremated remains must be handled with the same care and respect as intact remains. 

In a sailing vessel, way is nearly stopped by "heaving to," that is, the jib is shortened and backed to windward, the mainsheet eased, and helm adjusted to windward so that the vessel, balanced between wind and tide, rides smoothly in place with little or no forward motion. 

If the urn is to be opened and the remains scattered upon the sea at the time of committal, the urn is placed on a table-like platform during the reading of the service.  The Captain or a crew member designated by the Captain will assume responsibility for opening the urn and scattering the remains at the appropriate time during the committal ceremony.

  If the sealed urn is to be placed on the sea bed, the urn is placed on a small table-like platform during the reading of the service.  The Captain will then tilt up the platform so that the urn, containing the cremated remains, slides overboard into the sea to float briefly before descending to the sea bed.

Flowers or petals may be permitted to slide overboard with the urn or be tossed into the sea after the cremated remains have been scattered.

Eight-bells is struck, signifying the end of the watch for the individual.

The name of the individual committed to the deep is entered into the vessel log book with the date, time, precise position of the vessel, as well as sea and weather conditions at the moment of scattering or placement. 

A Certificate of Burial at Sea with the pertinent information is sent to the family along with a copy of the service and a chart section indicating the scattering location.  Appropriate reports are filed as required by statute or code.