Burial at Sea Customs

Depending on where you live you can find many different burial at sea customs.

If a family chooses to follow his or her religion's traditions and or doctrines, this may affect how a cremation / burial can be done, whether it can be done, and even when it can be done.

For example, in some places, the family must follow specific guidelines as to the tidal flows and times to determine the precise window of opportunity to bury at sea. If this window of opportunity is passed, the family must wait for the next window of opportunity.

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There are also many different methods that can be used when conducting a burial at sea.

Some of these methods are shown at right.

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For some, the ashes must be poured out. Each member of the family can take turns scattering the ashes.

There are many different ways to scatter the ashes. Many use a basket or a vase.

For others, wither their faith will not allow them to scatter the ashes, or they do not like the idea of it. They choose instead to place the ashes in the sea in one container. In the case of the photo above, a biodegradable bag that disintegrates in minutes was used to place the ashes.

Still others choose to use a pretty container which is biodegradable that contains the ashes. The containers usually floats a short while and then sinks to the ocean floor where it may take hours or days or longer to dissintegrate.