Sailors fold the national ensign during a burial at sea ceremony aboard the USS John S. McCain, 2024 (Photo: U.S. Navy Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin Tang)

Veterans who have been honorably discharged can choose burial at sea. It’s often less expensive than traditional burials and appeals to those with a strong connection to the ocean.

Burial at sea is more common among active duty and Navy Veterans. This process involves releasing the remains into the ocean, conducted under specific guidelines in the U.S. 

The Navy’s Burial at Sea Program facilitates this service for eligible families, offering it free of charge. Eligibility for the program includes active duty, honorably discharged Veterans, retirees, U.S. civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command, and dependent family members of these groups. 

The burial occurs on a Navy vessel while it’s deployed, making it impossible for family members to attend. However, families can observe the ceremony from a civilian ship positioned nearby or use civilian organizations that offer burial-at-sea services on private vessels.

A burial flag is required for all Navy burial services. If the family does not provide a flag, the Navy will use one for the service but will not return it to the family. Following the ceremony, the commanding officer will send the family a letter detailing the date, time, and location of the burial, along with a video or photos of the ceremony and the burial flag.

For cremated remains, the ashes must be in a biodegradable urn or temporary container to prevent spillage during shipping. The Burial at Sea Coordinators at embarkation ports can answer questions about suitable urns. Only Priority Mail Express Service is authorized for shipping cremains, and it is recommended to use tracking and signature on delivery to ensure proper receipt.

For intact remains, specific preparation guidelines must be followed, and the PADD is responsible for any associated costs. The PADD will select a funeral home near the port of embarkation to handle the preparation and shipment of the casketed remains. The funeral home must coordinate with the Navy Casualty office to ensure compliance with preparation requirements.

The timeline for burial at sea can be lengthy. Once the remains and required documents are received at the port, it may take up to three months to assign them to a vessel, with notification to the family occurring two weeks before deployment. The actual burial can take up to a year, and the family will receive a video of the service and a location map after the ship returns from deployment.

Families of Veterans buried at sea may be eligible for a headstone or marker through VA benefits. To start the process, the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition must contact MyNavy Career Center at 1-833-330-6622 to request a burial at sea packet and provide necessary documents such as a death certificate, burial transit permit or cremation certificate, and a copy of the DD Form 214.

Author: Rikki Almanza

Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.