Sea Burials

Your loved one loved the sea.  We can help.

EPA Requirements For Scattering Ashes at Sea

https://www.epa.gov/ocean-dumping/burial-sea

Disposal location and measures of cremated remains

Cremated remains shall be buried in or on ocean waters without regard to the depth limitations specified for non-cremated remains in the above paragraph provided that such burial takes place at least three nautical miles from land.

Decomposable flowers and wreaths

Flowers and wreaths consisting of materials that are readily decomposable in the marine environment may be placed at the burial site.

Notice to EPA within 30 days

 All burials conducted shall be reported within 30 days to the EPA Region in writing. The following information should be included and mailed or faxed to the Region 4 contact at the bottom of this page. You can copy the information below or complete and print the Region 4 burial at sea form (PDF) (1 p, 228K, About PDF).

NAME OF DECEASED:

DATE OF BURIAL/SCATTER:

TYPES OF REMAINS:

Cremated (  )Non-Cremated (  )

LOCATION OF BURIAL/SCATTER

 Latitude:  

 Longitude:  

 Distance from shore:
(minimum of 3 nautical miles)

 Depth of water:  

VESSEL NAME:

VESSEL POINT OF CONTACT

 Name:

 Phone:

PORT OF DEPARTURE:

FOR NON-CREMATED REMAINS

 Did the remains appear to rapidly sink to the ocean floor?
Yes (  )      No (  )

DIRECTOR OR PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE FOR BURIAL ARRANGEMENTS

 Name:

 Phone:

Region 9:

California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas and Trust Territories

Allan Ota (ota.allan@epa.gov)
Burial At Sea Coordinator
U.S. EPA Region 9
75 Hawthorne Street
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 972-3476