A handmade wooden boat containing Haines’ ashes burns during a burial at sea Sept. 29. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Cynthia Oldham / Coast Guard)
Did you know that it is possible to have a burial at sea? It’s not as simple as launching your body off into your favorite body of water but it can be done. In the US the EPA regulates sea burials and the remains to be buried must be cremated (see the video below for more information on legality). For those entitled to military honors, the Navy and Coast Guard can make the arrangements. There are also private companies that can help you arrange a sea burial or scattering.
A World War II veteran, Mr. Andrew Haines, had dreamed of a sea burial and worked to make it happen. The U.S. Coast Guard honored his wishes last week.
On Sept. 29, Station Atlantic City fulfilled the final wishes of service veteran Andrew Haines, a New Jersey resident who died in late August at age 89. Haines spent more than a decade planning his own Norse-style send-off — a self-built funeral ship to carry his cremated ashes, which was then to be ignited with a flare.
Read the full story: Coast Guard gives WWII vet a Viking funeral at sea (Story no longer available)
So you’d like to have a burial at sea. Is it legal?
Read more about burial at sea on Military.com
Read more about burial at sea on Cremationassociation.com
Read more about burial at sea on epa.gov
