Burial at Sea Reservations & Policies

Burial at sea requirements.

Human remains

The EPA general permit for burial at sea applies to human remains. Cremated human remains must not be commingled with pet or other non-human remains for a burial conducted under that permit.

Offshore location

Cremated human remains are committed to ocean waters at least three nautical miles from land. The captain determines the burial location and will not conduct the release closer to shore.

Flowers, wreaths & urns

Only materials appropriate for burial at sea may enter the water. Natural flowers and wreaths must be readily decomposable, and any urn placed in the water must be designed so that it does not float or contribute plastic or other persistent marine debris.

EPA reporting

South Shore Sea Burials completes the required post-service reporting for the burial at sea in accordance with the EPA guidance and resources referenced here.

Reservations & cancellations.

Deposits

A booking deposit is required to hold a date and schedule a vessel charter with South Shore Sea Burials.

Payment

South Shore Sea Burials accepts cash, checks and credit cards.

Captain cancellation

If the captain cancels a charter because of weather, sea conditions or mechanical problems, a full refund will be provided. The family may instead choose to reschedule the charter.

Scheduling

All dates are subject to change because of weather and sea conditions. Final departure details are confirmed with the family before the service.

Authorization requirements.

The original South Shore Sea Burials authorization form remains part of the service arrangements. Before an unattended scattering or other service requiring written authorization, the authorizing agent is asked to provide the required documentation and written authority.

Death certificate

A copy of the death certificate must accompany the authorization.

Mailing cremated remains

Cremated remains, the authorization form and the death certificate should be mailed according to our shipping instructions for cremated remains to the dedicated shipping address at P.O. Box 511, Point Lookout, NY 11569. General business correspondence should be sent to P.O. Box 637, Point Lookout, NY 11569.

Identity and authority

The person signing the authorization certifies that the cremated remains are those of the named deceased and that the signer has the legal right and authority to authorize the final, irretrievable scattering of those remains.

Related parties

The authorization also includes the signer’s representation that there is no objection to the final scattering from related parties.

Written instructions

Special instructions should be provided in writing. Under the original authorization, when no specific written instructions are supplied, the company may perform the scattering in a timely manner during its operating season, subject to weather and sea conditions.

Urn or container disposition

Unless written instructions state otherwise, the container holding the cremated remains may be disposed of after the committal. A biodegradable, water-soluble urn may be placed in the sea so that it dissolves and releases the cremated remains as intended.

Release and limitation language

The signed authorization contains the company’s original release, hold-harmless and limitation language concerning the authorized disposition and identification of the cremated remains. That legal language is preserved in the original form and should be reviewed before signing.

View the original Authorization for Scattering Cremated Remains at Sea

Client satisfaction & privacy.

Families may relay special requests and inquiries directly to South Shore Sea Burials. Those arrangements are handled attentively and with respect for privacy. Special requests such as music, food or video may be discussed during the consultation.

For questions about a reservation, call 516-369-0032.