At Sea Burial Facts and Information

For some individuals having a traditional burial with one of the funeral homes in Plymouth Township, MI, is the right choice. However, for others an at sea burial might be a better choice. These burials have been utilized since individuals first started sailing and are seen as an honorable option to lay someone to rest. If you are planning one of these events, we have some great information about them listed here to get you started.

What are the Regulations?

To perform a burial, see there are several regulations that the EPA requires individuals to follow. This is to help preserve the natural state of the ocean, and they are as follows:

• The remains need to be buried at least three nautical miles from the land.
  
• For full body disposal, the water needs to be at least 600 feet in some areas and up to 1800 feet in others.
  
• Any material that the body will either be wrapped in or placed in must be fully biodegradable. This means no plastics of any kind and no toxic chemicals.
  
• The casket needs to have holes drilled, so it sinks quickly, and extra weight can be added to ensure it sinks to the bottom. This could be enhanced by adding steel chains to the outside of the shroud or casket.
  
• The EPA also needs to know 30 days in advance before the event.

Civilian Burial

If the loved one was not a Navy officer, a boat would need to be chartered with a company specializing in these services. These come at a greater cost, especially if you need to travel several miles to get to the appropriate distance and water depth for the service. A funeral director will need to be present; for this process, and you want to be sure you choose a vessel to accommodate the attendees coming to the event.

Navy

For a Navy ceremony, this will be completed on a deployed ship which means the family will not be able to attend the services. However, a commanding officer will send a letter to the family letting them know the location, date, and time that the loved one was buried.

Cremated Remains

The last option is to have an ash-spreading ceremony at sea. If you choose to spread the ashes, an urn will not be required. But if you plan to include one, you will want to purchase a biodegradable option.

We are Here with Compassionate Care and Support

At sea burials are a time-honored tradition, especially for those who deeply love the water. Finding ways to honor them after they have passed away is crucial, and if you have been researching funeral homes in Plymouth Township, MI, we are your local experts. Our funeral home was founded in 1904, and we have worked hard to provide expert services for our community based on integrity and honesty. We would love to support you through the process, so contact us today if you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment.