A Burial At Sea - A Ceremony And The Spreading Of The Ashes
Posted on: 26 August 2022
A burial at sea often involves the spreading of a decedent's ashes. This type of burial is less regulated than a burial at sea that involves releasing a decedent's body into the water. Family members and friends can take part in a burial ceremony that involves sprinkling ashes into the water.
A Body Versus A Series Of Ashes
Due to the possibility of a body washing ashore, full body burials are regulated and may require traveling a far distance from the shore. The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) also regulates the spreading of ashes. The requirements for this type of burial are not as stringent as a full body burial. A boating outfitter will be equipped to transport the loved ones who will be honoring a decedent.
The person who is orchestrating a burial at sea will be able to bring the urn that contains ashes with them. The boating outfitter may recommend a location for the burial. The ceremony itself will take place onboard a watercraft. A ceremony can be officiated by a funeral director or another person who has been assigned the role of the officiant. Guests who board a boat will remain seated while a watercraft is being brought to the location where the ashes will be spread.
A Custom Service
A burial is a private affair that can be customized to reflect upon the decedent and their influence on others. If a funeral director will be speaking during a burial at sea, the person who hires the officiant will need to consult with them in advance. They will need to specify what they would like to be said during the burial ceremony. A customer can have bulletins printed out, which will include information about the service.
Each person who attends a live burial at sea can be furnished with one of the bulletins. A charter boat owner may encourage patrons to use decorations to make a ceremony more appealing. Flowers can be brought onboard, as long as each arrangement will not take up space that is needed for seating. Once the charter boat reaches its destination, the captain will stop the boat.
During the time that the boat is stationary, the spreading of the ashes will occur. The person who will be responsible for spreading the ashes will be provided with instructions on how the ashes are to be released. A biodegradable urn is occasionally used during a burial. This type of urn can be lowered into the water.
For more information on burials at sea, contact a service near you.
Share