At sea burials are as old as the practice of sailing itself. For centuries, mariners have been buried at sea or their ashes scattered at sea with honor and respect.
There are several justifications for someone choosing to be "buried at sea." It serves as their last homage to their time at sea for some. Others use it as a means of reentering nature and uniting with the sea.
Whatever the reason, burials at sea are a beautiful and unique way to say goodbye to a loved one.
There is a tradition of burial at sea. A very old tradition is scattering ashes in the sea and full-body interments. Saying farewell to a loved one who has passed away is difficult.
Funerals can, nevertheless, be presented in a significant and respectful manner.
Sea burials have a long history that goes back thousands of years, yet they are often performed worldwide. With this kind of funeral, you may plan a special "Final Voyage" for your loved ones who have passed away. Sea burials are uncommon and kind to the environment.
This article discusses the history of sea burials, the procedures involved, and how to quickly plan, organize, and carry out a sea burial or ash scattering for a loved one who has passed away.
Why Scatter Ashes at Sea?
As part of the burial at sea ritual, the funeral service for the deceased is held from a ship or boat on open seas.
The deceased's ashes are submerged in the sea in a marine burial. This method of burial was historically only used for Royal Navy personnel.
But now, anyone may access it from anywhere around the globe. You must first meet specific license requirements before you are permitted to perform a funeral service in this manner.
Anyone can organize and carry out a funeral at sea as long as the proper procedures are followed and the required licenses are obtained. You may arrange the complete burial properly with the aid of a reputable funeral home.
When using Ashes2Oceans , all of the license requirements are handled by our experienced in-house team so our whole process is worry free. See a list of full range of Services
History
Historians have written about graves in the sea or other bodies of water throughout history. This practice predates even the earliest civilizations, as you will find out if you look into the religious and historical background.
Earlier Times
Sea burials were a widespread funeral practice in the ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian civilizations, along with accompanying typical dress, ceremonies, and rituals.
According to historians, all ancient civilizations engaged in the practice of sea burials. These people preferred to be buried on land but occasionally performed ocean burials.
When a terrestrial burial proved challenging, sea burials were typically performed.
The following were typical justifications for burying in the ocean:
combat fatalities
when the deceased left their home for an extended period
when burials on the earth were challenging or impossible
religious beliefs
Due to the Vikings, sea burials are still often practiced today. They carried out what they called "ship burials" in various ways. The dead were either burnt or set on fire before being tossed into the ocean to be buried alongside the ships.
The deceased's remains would be interred with a variety of ancient artifacts. As a result, the ship would catch fire and sink, with the wreck becoming part of the ocean.
The Vikings buried their dead in the open sea using an entire naval ship as a container. More information on these sea burials and how they were performed may be found in the Norse Sagas.
Another subject explored in these sagas is the dispersal of human ashes or remains across the ocean.
When the Vikings invaded the British Isles around 700 A.D., they brought the custom of sea burial.
United States
Anyone in the United States can plan and carry out a maritime funeral with the assistance of an established funeral parlor. However, the relevant authorities have set aside special locations for maritime funerals.
For instance, there are locations for sea burials on the coasts of San Pedro, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Los Angeles, and the Catalina Islands. Contact Burials at Marine if you wish to set up a marine burial for a loved one who passed away in one of these places.
After correctly obtaining all necessary licenses and permissions, the business will organize the full at-sea funeral for the deceased reverently and unforgettably.
However, only the veterans or representatives listed below are permitted to be buried in a U.S. military vessel:
individuals serving in the military
veterans with a clear discharge
honorably discharged retirees
those who are dependent on all of these
The whole at-sea memorial ceremony for the deceased will be conducted by the commanding officer of the military ship.
The deceased's family members will get a letter with all the pertinent funeral information. If the family would like, they may bring their burial flag to fly at the funeral and then get it back.
To complete the application process in this regard, the surviving family members of the dead must get in touch with the Navy and Marine Corps Mortuary Office.
Similarly, carrying out at-sea funerals necessitates conformity to each nation's specific marine regulations. The location of the sea burial must be carefully considered, no matter where it is.
The body may be disturbed by abandoned commercial fishing nets or pulled back to shore by strong currents if the site is unsuitable.
You will need the assistance of an experienced funeral home to arrange the best and most memorable at-sea burial.
Celebrities Interred at Sea
There are many famous people and celebrities immersed in the sea. Several of these include the following:
Sir Alfred Hitchcock's ashes were dispersed over the Pacific Ocean between 1899 and 1980.
Over the Pacific Ocean, Steve McQueen's remains are scattered (1930–1988).
Dennis Wilson, a native of California, was buried in the Pacific Ocean after passing away in 1983.
Near Malibu, California, Stan Getz's ashes were thrown in the Pacific Ocean (1927-1991).
Vincent Price's (1911-1993)'s remains were dispersed in Point Dume, California.
John F. Kennedy Jr.'s ashes were dispersed over the Atlantic Ocean between 1960 and 1999.
In Redondo Beach, California, Doug Henning's (1947-2000) ashes were cast into the Pacific Ocean.
The ashes of Robin Williams, who passed away in 2014, were dispersed in San Francisco Bay.
Conclusion
The history of burials at sea is long and varied, with many different cultures and religions having unique customs and traditions. While the modern-day practice to scatter ashes in the ocean from a ship is the most common form of burial at sea. Burial at sea is a deeply personal and meaningful way to say goodbye to a loved one, and its popularity shows no signs of waning.
Ashes 2 Oceans, headquartered in the California Channel Islands, specializes in ash scattering in the waters. The opportunity to dedicate a loved one's ashes to the sea is provided by our service to individuals who do not have access to "ocean honor services." It is courteous and environmentally friendly to honor someone you care about. Contact us to design and obtain pricing on our custom offerings.
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