Burial at Sea Regulations

Burials at sea have a long tradition especially among the seafaring people; navy, merchant seamen and fishermen. In the days of old, it was the most effective way of dealing with a dead body at sea since there were no freezing services. These days burial at sea is mostly for sentimental reasons rather than convenience. More people other than seafarers are choosing this option for burial.

Burial at sea in the US is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency’s rules on burial at sea of human remains.  These are 4 basic rules that allow anyone to bury and be buried at sea, allowing removal of human remains from the US mainland on a vessel or aircraft under conditions set by the US Coast Guard, US Navy or any other civil authority.

The Environmental Protection Act, 229 Part 2 states these areas as;

1. 27 deg.30’00” to 31 deg.00’00” North Latitude off St. Augustine and Cape Canaveral, Florida
2. 82 deg.20’00” to 84 deg.00’00” West Longitude off Dry Tortugas, Florida
3. 87 deg.15’00” to 89 deg.50’00” West Longitude off the Mississippi River Delta, Louisiana, to Pensacola, Florida

Cremated ashes

For those who would like to scatter ashes at sea, the rules on burial site do not apply. However, the scattering must be done further than 3 miles from shore. 

Flowers and other decorations

Any biodegradable decorations which include flowers can be disposed together with the body following the rules on burial site.

Reporting

After the burial, a report must be made to the EPA with accurate details on Name of deceased, date of burial/scatter, type of remains, site of burial, name of vessel and contact person, and details on the state of non-cremated remains.

Navy regulations 

The navy has its separate regulations when it conducts burial at sea. For one, the deceased must be eligible for a navy burial. This extends to serving and retired personnel and their immediate family members.  Civilians serving in the Navy Sealift command and any other deemed worthy by the navy. Those who choose to be buried by the navy must make a request in writing.