Guide
For many families on the Gulf Coast, the water is where it feels right. Here's everything you need to know about honoring your loved one at sea — the legal requirements, the options, and the ways to make it beautiful.
Scattering ashes at sea is legal in Florida, but there are federal rules you need to follow. These come from the EPA under the Clean Water Act and the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. Here's the short version:
No permit is required. The EPA provides a general permit for ash scattering at sea. You don't need to apply ahead of time — just follow the rules above and file the notification within 30 days. Our Burial at Sea Partners are familiar with the requirements and can guide you through every step.
Your loved one loved the water. Honor them by following these simple guidelines — it takes just a few minutes to file, and it's the right way to give them a farewell they would have wanted.
File your EPA notification hereThe water is already beautiful. These options let you honor your loved one without leaving a trace — just a moment, a memory, and the sea.
Designed to float gently on the surface for a few minutes before gradually descending and dissolving. Made from materials like recycled paper, sand, and plant-based binders. The urn holds the ashes at the surface long enough for a moment of reflection, then quietly releases them into the water. Some families find this more peaceful than a direct scattering.
Made from mulberry bark paper or other natural fibers, these urns dissolve within minutes of touching the water. They're lightweight, simple, and completely biodegradable. Some are beautifully hand-painted — a small work of art for a final moment.
Loose flower petals — roses, orchids, plumeria — scattered alongside the ashes create a beautiful, natural display on the water. No wire, no plastic, no wrapping. Just petals and the current. Some families bring a basket of petals and each person releases a handful together.
Hand-woven baskets made from palm, willow, or seagrass can hold the ashes and flower petals together. Place them on the water and watch them float gently before the basket softens and the contents release. Fully biodegradable, completely natural.
Made from Himalayan salt or sea salt, these urns dissolve naturally in ocean water. They have a sculptural, almost geological look — like something that came from the earth. Place it in the water and it returns to the sea on its own time.
Garlands made from fresh flowers — no wire, no plastic, no synthetic ribbon — can be placed on the water alongside the ashes. Plumeria, orchid, and marigold leis are popular choices. They float for a while, creating a gentle ring of color on the surface, then soften and return to the sea naturally.
We work with experienced Gulf Coast charter captains who know how to make this meaningful — getting you safely 3 miles out, setting the right pace, and giving your family the space and time you need. Each partner provides a signed Honor Ever After certificate with the date, time, and GPS coordinates of the ceremony — a keepsake that marks the exact spot where you said goodbye. If you have your own boat, that works too.
Sunset ceremonies are the most popular for a reason — the light on the Gulf is hard to describe until you've seen it. Morning ceremonies tend to have calmer water if anyone in your group is sensitive to motion. Your charter captain can help you pick the right conditions.
Most families keep the boat ceremony small — immediate family and a few close friends. The water, the sky, and the quiet do most of the work. Some families read something, some play a song, some just stand together. There's no script for this, and there doesn't need to be.
Some families do the water ceremony privately with a small group, then hold a larger celebration of life on land afterward — at home, at a restaurant, or at a waterfront venue. This lets everyone participate even if they can't be on the boat. It also separates the quiet, personal moment from the celebration.
The urn or container (biodegradable only). Loose natural flower petals if you'd like. Something to read or play, if it feels right. Sunscreen. Water. And maybe a bottle of whatever they would have been drinking. Everything else — the water, the light, the moment — is already there.
We also recommend keeping these two documents on board, just in case:
Provided by the crematory. This documents who the remains belong to.
This shows you're authorized to conduct a burial at sea under federal law. Download the general permit (PDF)
Families across the Tampa Bay area and Nature Coast choose water farewells. We help with planning in all of these communities.
From choosing a provider to coordinating the ceremony, our tools give you everything you need to make informed decisions — at your own pace.
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