Regulated by the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), rules for burial at sea are found here. Those wishing to use this option without hiring a funeral director must follow these steps:

For full body burials, obtain an appropriate weighted shroud or casket ensure that the remains sink to the bottom rapidly and permanently.” 

Arrange for a suitable boat. Full bodies must be buried in water at least 600 feet deep, no closer than three nautical miles from land. Cremated remains can be released into or onto ocean water of any depth as long as it’s three nautical miles from land.

The location of the ocean burial or scattering must be reported to the EPA Regional Administrator within 30 days of the burial. Find the on-line reporting form here and an FAQ about this reporting requirement here.

Families and designated agents handling their own death certificate must have the boat captain sign as Sexton on the 2nd& 3rd pages of the death certificate (which functions as the disposition permit). The person signing as Sexton (or the family member acting as FSP) must return the second page to the County Registrar where the death occurred and retain the third page for their records. Do not submit the death certificate to the EPA.

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