Veterans Burial at Sea
Private family-attended services off Long Island, with guidance on military funeral honors, VA burial benefits and the separate Navy and Coast Guard burial-at-sea programs.
Two different paths to a burial at sea.
Families can arrange a private burial at sea aboard a civilian vessel, where relatives and guests may be present, or an eligible veteran may be committed to the sea through a U.S. Navy or U.S. Coast Guard program. These are separate arrangements with very different scheduling and attendance rules.
South Shore Sea Burials provides the private, family-attended option from Long Island. Military funeral honors may be requested from the appropriate service branch and coordinated with the service when personnel and ceremonial elements are available.
- Private service
- Family may attend aboard the vessel
- Navy program
- Family does not attend the deployed-vessel committal
- VA benefits
- May help with eligible burial and funeral costs
- Documents
- DD Form 214 or other discharge documentation is important
Military honors with the family present.
An eligible veteran's family may choose a private burial at sea through South Shore Sea Burials so relatives can accompany the remains to the burial site and participate in the ceremony.
By law, military funeral honors for an eligible veteran include, at minimum, a two-person uniformed detail, the playing of Taps, and the folding and presentation of the American flag when honors are properly requested. Additional elements can depend on eligibility, personnel, location and availability.
Families should request military funeral honors as early as possible through the veteran's funeral director or the appropriate military-service funeral honors coordinator. South Shore Sea Burials can coordinate the vessel schedule with the requested honors detail.
U.S. Navy Burial at Sea
After a Navy Committal
U.S. Coast Guard
Burial allowance may help with civilian costs.
VA burial allowances can help eligible families with funeral and burial costs, and VA specifically recognizes burial at sea as a legal burial type for these benefits.
Eligibility rules apply. VA rates can change, so families should confirm the current amount before relying on it.
Documents to have ready.
For a Navy burial at sea, the primary next of kin or person authorized to direct disposition should contact the Navy after the death and request the Burial at Sea packet. The Navy lists these core supporting documents:
- Photocopy of the death certificate
- Burial transit permit or cremation certificate
- DD Form 214, discharge certificate or retirement order
- Completed Navy Burial at Sea Request/Authorization forms
The Navy coordinates cremated remains through one of its designated ports of embarkation. Casketed remains are handled only through specific ports and have separate preparation requirements.