By Susan Perry


For hundreds of years sailors have been buried at sea. Sometimes it is an honor, other times a necessity, and of course there were times when convicted seamen walked the plank and were buried alive. Today, there are a growing number of individuals who have made this kind of burial their last wish. These burials come under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Agency. The kind of burial at sea Florida ocean lovers request requires some planning.

The federal government has some rules everyone must follow in order to bury someone in the sea. You must go out at least three nautical miles. That's about three and a half statute miles. Water depth has to be at least six hundred feet except in certain areas in Florida where the minimum is eighteen hundred feet. It may be necessary to go far beyond three nautical miles to get to the required depth because of the outer continental shelf.

There are rules concerning the casket that have to be followed as well. You can't use any plastics. You will need to have six or more holes drilled in the casket to ensure that it sinks. In certain cases additional weights may be required. The casket has to be wrapped in stainless steel chains to make sure, when it sinks to the bottom, it stays there.

If you want to bury ashes, you don't have to comply with as many rules. You do have to go out at least three nautical miles, but the depth of water is not an issue. Some people have the idea they want their ashes thrown out of a plane over the water. If you decide to do this, remember that wind is a factor at altitudes and can blow the ashes back on the passengers.

If you want to go out on a boat, there are companies that provide ocean burial services. The fees vary according to how many people will be attending and the kind of ceremony, if any, you want. Burying a casket requires a boat that has the equipment to haul the casket over the side of the boat and lower it into the water. Not every charter will be able to accommodate you.

Scattering ashes in water sounds pretty economical, and it can be if you do everything yourself. It can get expensive though, if you are burying a casket that requires hiring a boat and transporting the remains from the mortuary to a pier or airport. The farther out you need to go, the more expensive it will get.

If you or your loved one is a navy veteran or honorably discharged from the navy, it is possible to have an official service aboard a naval vessel. The ceremony is overseen by the Naval Mortuary Affairs Office. Family members and civilian personnel in the Military Sealift Command also qualify.

Last wishes are important. Giving loved ones the send off they imagined is a wonderful sign of respect. A funeral at sea can be majestic and memorable with careful planning.




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