Burial at Sea: Options for Veterans and Civilians

Veteran Burial At Sea Funerals And Current Environmental Laws

Bodies have been committed to the ocean depths for centuries. Despite the honor associated with the tradition, many Americans are unaware that this type of burial is available to them – especially veterans.

Burial at sea refers to both the sinking of bodies or inurned cremains and the scattering of cremains on the water’s surface. Human remains may be buried at sea under regulations based on the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuary Act.

U.S. Navy And Coast Guard

You must contact the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the civil authority under whose jurisdiction the water burial falls to ensure you obtain the necessary burial permits. If you are unsure about the appropriate, polite lead with where you live, contact your state’s Office of the Attorney General.

Request Must Come From Eligible Civilian Dependents

The U.S. Navy will perform sea burials for veterans and their eligible dependents, while the U.S. Coast Guard performs funerals for civilians.

Sea burial of non-cremated human remains must occur at least three nautical miles from the shoreline. Also, it is required that the water at the burial location must be a minimum of 100 fathoms (600 feet) deep. The remains must be weighted to sink quickly to the bottom and be held there.

Cremated remains are not subject to these depth requirements, provided the burial takes place three nautical miles or more from land. Flowers and other readily decomposable tributes may accompany the burial, either left floating on the water’s surface or weighted to rest with the remains.

We Came From The Sea And Will Return To The Sea – The Late President John F. Kennedy

For those with close ties to the sea, such a burial may offer a fitting final resting place and, as such, give comfort to surviving family and friends.

In President John F. Kennedy’s 1962 speech, he spoke of the sea: “…[W]e all came from the sea, and it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins, the same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean… we all have salt in our blood, in our sweat, and in our tears….”

The late President’s message was spot on. In some mystical way, we are all tied to the sea, and when we go back to the water, whether to sail or admire the majesty of its might, we are, in effect, going back from whence we came.

Inland Water Burials

Burial in inland waters is subject to conditions specified in the Clean Water Act, and a permit will be required from the appropriate state agency.

Your legal responsibility to report

A water burial must be reported to the Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator within 30 days of its occurrence.

The government agency will likely require the following information from you:

• The deceased’s name
• The date of the burial,
• The nature of the remains,
• The nautical coordinates of the burial location,
• The vessel’s name and the port from which it departed carrying the remains
• A post-burial report on whether the body sank rapidly.

Financial Benefits In A Veteran’s Funeral

Veterans have earned the right to be buried in a national cemetery and have a grave marker and flag. Those who have been dishonorably discharged or convicted of inflammatory activity are ineligible.

Spouses And Children of Veterans May Be Eligible

Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans are also entitled to burial in a national cemetery. Depending upon the circumstances of a veteran’s death, the government may pay some or all of the costs. All funeral costs will be covered if the death occurs during active duty. When a veteran dies while no longer in service, the burial benefits will vary with the circumstances.

Monetary Allowance For Cremation

Burial benefits are also extended to those who have served their country in other ways, such as the National Guard or the Reserves and some Public Health Service capacities.

The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard will perform sea burials or scattering of cremains for veterans if preferred over burial. For additional information, you can visit the Veterans Affairs website

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