Water Burial Planning: A Simple Checklist for Families

Water can feel like a gentle place to say goodbye. For some families, an ocean horizon holds decades of memory. For others, a lake or river marks a hometown, a summer cabin, or a quiet routine that always made life feel steadier. When you start searching for ocean memorial planning or a water burial planning checklist, it is rarely because you want a complicated project. It is usually because you want the day to feel calm, respectful, and emotionally true—and you do not want logistics to steal the moment.

More families are having these conversations now because cremation is increasingly common. The National Funeral Directors Association projects the U.S. cremation rate to be 63.4% in 2025, with cremation continuing to rise over time. The Cremation Association of North America also reports that the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024 and provides ongoing projections. That shift matters for water ceremonies because cremation gives families flexibility: you can hold a small gathering now, plan a bigger ceremony later, or choose a setting that feels like “them” without the constraints of immediate burial.

This guide keeps the tone simple on purpose. It will walk you through what to decide, what to confirm, what documents for burial at sea are worth keeping with you, and a few practical water ceremony safety tips that reduce last-minute stress. Along the way, you will also see how choices like cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, and cremation jewelry can support a plan that unfolds over time, not all at once.

Start with the plan, not the urn

A common misconception is that you must pick an urn first, and then figure out what to do. In real life, it tends to work better in the opposite direction. If you decide whether you are scattering, placing a water-soluble urn, or holding ashes at home until a later date, the “right” urn becomes obvious. If you start with shopping, you can end up with something beautiful that simply does not fit your method.

Families also use the term “water burial” in two different ways. Sometimes they mean a burial at sea checklist for releasing ashes in the ocean under federal rules. Other times they mean a water ceremony on a lake or river, where the rules are usually local and permission-based. It is not about perfect wording. It is about making sure you are following the right guidelines for the water you are choosing.

If you want a plain-language overview of what “three nautical miles” means and how families plan the moment, Funeral.com’s guide Water Burial and Burial at Sea: What “3 Nautical Miles” Means is a helpful companion, especially if this is your first time encountering the ocean-specific rules.

Choose your location, then confirm the rules that apply

Ocean burial at sea: the “3 nautical miles” rule and the 30-day report

If your ceremony is in U.S. ocean waters, the authoritative starting point is the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency burial-at-sea guidance under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA). The EPA’s rules are where the most searched phrases—like the 3 nautical miles rule burial at sea—actually come from.

In plain terms, the EPA explains that placement of remains must be beyond three nautical miles from shore, and cremated remains may be buried “in or on ocean waters of any depth” as long as that distance requirement is met. The rule itself is reflected in the federal regulation at eCFR 40 CFR 229.1, and the EPA summarizes it clearly on the burial-at-sea page.

Two additional points are where families get tripped up. First, the EPA requires notification after the event: you must report the burial at sea within 30 days. That is the source of the commonly searched phrase EPA burial at sea report 30 days, and the EPA provides an online reporting option through the Burial at Sea Reporting Tool. Second, the EPA is explicit that non-decomposable items should not be placed in the ocean—meaning plastic or metal flowers and wreaths are not permitted. The “right” tribute is one that leaves no debris behind, even if it looks beautiful on the boat.

If you want extra clarity on how the online report works (including guest submissions versus account submissions), the EPA’s Burial at Sea Reporting Tool Fact Sheet is written in a straightforward, step-by-step way.

Lakes, rivers, bays, and nearshore waters: permissions matter

If your ceremony is not in ocean waters, your planning emphasis shifts. The EPA’s burial-at-sea framework is for ocean waters and the federal general permit, but lakes, rivers, and many nearshore areas are typically governed by state, local, or site-specific policies. This is where “permission” is often less formal than people fear and more about choosing a location that allows ceremonies, avoids sensitive habitats, and respects private property boundaries.

For these settings, the most reliable approach is to treat the place like a host. Ask what is allowed, ask what is discouraged, and plan your tribute to leave nothing behind. Families often find that the emotional tone of the ceremony matters more than the exact mechanism—especially when the setting is meaningful and the moment is thoughtfully paced.

Pick the method that matches your ceremony style

Most water ceremonies for cremation fall into two practical categories. The first is scattering: a controlled release of ashes onto the water (or into the air downwind of the boat). The second is a biodegradable water urn that floats briefly and dissolves, releasing ashes gradually in a way that can feel more contained and ceremonial.

If you are comparing these approaches, Funeral.com’s guide Biodegradable Ocean & Water Burial Urns: How They Work is useful because it focuses on how each method behaves on the water, not just how it looks online.

When families ask about biodegradable urn requirements, what they usually mean is: “Will this urn behave predictably in my hands, on this day, in this weather?” If the answer is “yes,” planning becomes calmer. Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection is a natural place to compare options designed for water ceremonies, including water-soluble styles and other eco-minded materials.

And if your plan is not water-specific—or you want a second urn for home afterward—this is where broader cremation urns options can help. Families often use a temporary container for travel and ceremony, then choose a display urn later. Funeral.com’s Cremation Urns for Ashes collection is a good starting point when you want a durable home memorial that can remain steady for years.

The simple checklist that prevents last-minute stress

The goal of a checklist is not to turn grief into a project. It is to remove avoidable friction so the day can feel present. Think of this as the heart of your burial at sea checklist or ocean water urn ceremony planning: a short set of decisions that, once handled, makes everything else easier.

• Confirm the location and rule set: ocean burial-at-sea rules versus local permissions for inland water.
• Decide the method: scattering versus a water-soluble urn (or a combination, if your plan allows).
• Choose who is responsible for handling the remains on the day (one person, clearly designated).
• If ocean-based, confirm who will file the EPA report within 30 days and who will provide the coordinates.
• Choose tributes that leave no debris behind (biodegradable flowers only, no plastic or metal items in the water).
• Decide whether any portion will remain at home afterward for future memorials or family sharing.
• Plan timing with weather in mind: a “preferred date” plus a backup plan reduces pressure.
• Decide how you will mark the moment: a reading, brief words from a few people, music, silence, or all of the above.

Then there is the small practical packing list—the details that tend to matter most on the water, where the environment is beautiful and also unpredictable. These are the quiet water ceremony safety tips that help everyone stay comfortable enough to be emotionally present.

• Layers, sunscreen, and something windproof (it is almost always colder on the water than you expect).
• Motion-sickness prevention for anyone who needs it, plus water and simple snacks.
• Paper towels and a small resealable bag for cleanup (ashes are light and can cling to surfaces).
• A weighted flower option or loose petals (not plastic stems or synthetic wreaths).
• A printed copy of the charter confirmation and the captain’s phone number.
• A simple plan for photos: designate one person so no one feels awkward mid-ceremony.

Documents to keep with you, and what “paperwork” usually means

Families often worry they will be asked for the “wrong” document at the “wrong” time. In practice, the paperwork that matters most is whatever keeps transportation and coordination smooth. For ocean burial at sea reporting, the EPA makes one part easier than many people realize: the agency notes you do not need to submit documentation such as a death certificate when reporting through the Burial at Sea Reporting Tool. That is stated directly on the EPA burial-at-sea guidance, and it is one reason the after-the-fact report is less intimidating than families expect.

Still, when people search what documents for burial at sea, they are usually trying to avoid a day-of scramble. A practical set of items to keep accessible (printed or on your phone) includes the cremation provider’s paperwork identifying the remains, the charter agreement (if applicable), and any location permissions you obtained for inland waters. If travel is involved—especially flying—having documentation can also reduce stress at security checkpoints. If you anticipate travel as part of the plan, Funeral.com’s broader guidance on keeping plans smooth can be useful alongside your logistics, including how families handle timing and custody of remains when they are keeping ashes at home for a later ceremony. The article Keeping Cremation Ashes at Home in the U.S. is written with that practical tone in mind.

Choosing a charter: small questions that make a big difference

If you are planning an ocean ceremony and do not have your own boat, you may be searching phrases like choose charter for burial at sea. The EPA notes that many charter boat operators offer burial-at-sea services and that some specialize in them, and that you may use your own boat if authorized. The decision is not only about cost. It is about the emotional experience: how supported your family feels, and how much cognitive load you carry that day.

When you speak with a captain or service provider, ask questions that map directly to your ceremony’s success. Will they take you beyond the three-nautical-mile boundary? Will they provide the coordinates afterward for the report? Do they have a weather policy, and can they reschedule without penalty if conditions are unsafe? Can the boat accommodate mobility needs? Is there a restroom onboard? How many people can be seated comfortably, not just legally? These details sound ordinary, but they determine whether the day feels steady.

Also ask about pacing. Experienced providers understand that a water ceremony is not just a boat ride with a task at the end. It is a sequence: arriving, settling, traveling out, gathering everyone, creating a quiet space, and returning. A good charter helps you move through that sequence without rushing you or leaving you to improvise.

Plan for the “before” and “after,” not only the moment on the water

Many families are surprised to learn that a water ceremony does not have to be the only memorial act. It can be one part of a longer funeral planning arc. Some people want a private scattering now and a larger remembrance later when travel is easier. Others want to place a portion in the ocean and keep a portion at home. This is where keepsake urns, small cremation urns, and cremation jewelry can support a plan that respects different grieving styles within the same family.

If you are sharing ashes among close relatives, Funeral.com’s Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes collection is designed for small portions and personal tributes. If you want a compact urn that still holds a meaningful portion for one household, Small Cremation Urns for Ashes may fit better. These choices can make it easier to say “yes” to a water ceremony without feeling like you are losing your only tangible connection.

For families who want a very small portion close at all times, cremation necklaces can be part of the plan—especially when travel or distance makes a shared physical memorial hard. Funeral.com’s Cremation Necklaces collection and the guide Cremation Jewelry 101 are helpful if you are evaluating materials, closures, and filling considerations with a practical mindset. The key is to treat jewelry as a separate keepsake step, not something you bring into the ocean as a tribute—because the EPA’s rules for ocean burial at sea emphasize decomposable materials only.

If you are still figuring out the broader question of what to do with ashes beyond the water ceremony itself, it often helps to step back and clarify the “final resting place” plan first. Funeral.com’s guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn is written for that exact moment, when families want to make a respectful decision without creating a new problem later.

When a beloved pet is part of the story

Many families want a water ceremony to honor a life that included a beloved dog or cat, and it is natural to wonder whether you can include pet ashes in the same ocean scattering. The EPA is clear that the MPRSA general permit authorizes burial at sea of human remains only and does not allow placement of non-human remains, including pets. The agency also notes that pet ashes cannot be mixed with cremated human remains for authorized burial under the general permit. That guidance is stated directly on the EPA burial-at-sea page.

What families often do instead is plan two meaningful acts: an ocean ceremony that follows the EPA framework for the person, and a separate pet memorial that fits local rules and a location that feels right for the pet’s story. If you are building that second plan, Funeral.com’s Pet Cremation Urns for Ashes collection includes a wide range of styles, including Pet Figurine Cremation Urns for families who want something visibly representative, and Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns when sharing among family members feels like the most supportive option.

Budget and timing: a calmer way to think about costs

Cost is part of the planning conversation even when you wish it were not. Charter services, travel, biodegradable urns, and optional memorial items can add up quickly, and the stress often comes from not knowing what is “normal.” If the financial side is weighing on you, it can help to zoom out and understand the broader pattern of cremation pricing in the first place. Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost in the U.S.? can ground you, especially if you are trying to decide how much of your budget should go toward the ceremony versus the ongoing memorial items that live with you afterward.

From a water-ceremony perspective, one of the most cost-effective decisions is also one of the most emotionally wise: give yourself timing flexibility. If you can plan within a season rather than for a single fixed date, you are more likely to find a charter that fits your family size and budget, and you are less likely to force a ceremony in uncomfortable weather. In grief, “flexibility” is not only practical. It is a kindness to everyone attending.

A gentle ending: the point is not perfection

Water ceremonies can feel symbolic because water holds both movement and continuity. But the meaning does not come from flawless execution. It comes from intentionality: choosing a method that aligns with your values, following the rules that protect the place you are honoring, and creating a moment where love can be spoken plainly.

If you remember only one thing, let it be this: the checklist exists to protect the goodbye, not replace it. Handle the distance rule, the report, the biodegradable materials, and the safety details—and then let the day be what it is. A steady boat, a few honest words, a quiet release, and the shared recognition that this person mattered. That is enough.