The sea has been one of the largest cemeteries for human civilization since forever. Though it comes as a surprise to many, sea burials have been a completely acceptable practice in various countries and cultures across the globe.
Did you know that anyone can opt for a sea burial and does not necessarily require a connection with marine life? In fact, the past few years have seen a massive hike in the number of burials at sea around the world. With a scarcity of burial plots and rising land prices, burial at sea comes across as an affordable alternative to the traditional method.
While burial at sea is entirely legal, one cannot opt to be buried anywhere in the world and needs to observe a certain set of guidelines. It includes obtaining a permit, biodegradable coffin, and submitting a certificate that the body isn’t infected. Thus, many people prefer to opt for ash scattering services who take care of the technicalities to allow them time and privacy to bid farewell to their loved ones.
History of burial at sea
The root of ocean burials can be traced back to the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, and Egypt.
Vikings were strong believers in burial at sea and believed land burials to be disrespectful and demeaning. They instead opted for ship burials, where the warriors and their boats were set aflame into the sea.
Instructions for burial at sea
Each country has their respective set of rules that must be observed when opting for a sea burial. However, some common regulations in regard to burial at sea includes the following:
- Obtain a permit by consulting the local funeral director or the health department. One can also seek the help of ash scattering services to guide them through the process.
- Opt for natural and biodegradable materials when choosing a shroud, casket or flowers.
- Notify all concerned authorities once the funeral has been performed like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in case of US citizens.
How to find a boat for burial at sea?
Since not everyone has easy access to an authorized boat, many charter boat operators offer sea burial services. These operators also provide ash scattering services, which are a preferred replacement to complete sea burials.
These services are sensitive to the needs of the family that’s coping with grief and loss of a loved one. These understand the nuances of the process quite well and can be a great choice when opting for a burial at sea.
