In this series, Funerals Explained, we look at what to expect from different types of funeral service. Burial at sea is one of the rarest choices — but for some families, it is exactly the right one.
Burial at sea or scattering ashes at sea?
It is worth distinguishing between two very different things. Scattering ashes at sea is straightforward: no licence is required, and families can do it from a boat, a harbour wall or a beach with no formalities beyond some practical common sense. It is a popular and accessible choice for those with a connection to the water.
Burial at sea — the burial of a body in a coffin in UK waters — is a different and much rarer undertaking. It requires a licence, a specialist coffin, designated burial sites, and careful advance planning. The rest of this article is about that process.
Who might choose a sea burial?
Burial at sea is available to anyone in the UK — there are no restrictions based on background or profession. In practice, families most often choose it where the person had a deep connection to the sea: a naval career, a lifetime of sailing or fishing, or simply a love of the water that felt central to who they were. The request may have been made by the person themselves, or it may feel like the most fitting tribute the family can give.
The licence
A burial at sea in UK waters requires a licence from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO). The process involves:
- A medical certificate confirming the person did not die from an infectious disease
- Notification to the coroner where required (your funeral director will advise)
- The body being prepared for burial at sea — no embalming, only biodegradable materials and clothing
The licence fee is currently £175, though fees are subject to change — check with the MMO directly for current figures. Your funeral director can manage the application. Most are willing to help even if they have not arranged a sea burial before; the MMO provides detailed guidance and the process is well-established.
The coffin
A standard coffin cannot be used. The casket must be made entirely of untreated softwood with no metal fittings, no plastics and no materials that do not biodegrade naturally. Holes must be drilled to specified dimensions to allow the coffin to sink, and weights of at least 200kg must be secured to the base. This is not something to arrange independently — a specialist funeral director or the Britannia Shipping Company can manage the requirements.
Where a burial at sea can take place
UK sea burials are permitted in three designated areas:
- Newhaven, East Sussex
- The Needles Spoil Ground, near the Isle of Wight
- Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
Families may apply to use an alternative location, but this requires supporting evidence and must meet specific criteria. The designated sites are chosen to eliminate the risk of the coffin drifting to shore — a concern for many families, and one the MMO takes seriously.
Cost
A burial at sea is considerably more expensive than a standard funeral. Beyond the £175 licence fee, costs include the specialist coffin, the boat and crew to transport and lower the coffin, and the funeral director’s fees for managing an unusual and logistics-heavy arrangement. Total costs typically run to several thousand pounds above a standard funeral. Families should request a full itemised estimate before committing.
The service
The journey to the burial site can take several hours, and conditions at sea can be challenging. Many families choose to hold a service on shore beforehand — at a church, a crematorium chapel, or somewhere that held meaning for the person — and say their goodbyes before the coffin is transferred to the boat. Designated crew accompany the coffin to the burial site, treating it with dignity throughout.
For families who do wish to attend at sea, that is possible — but the practical realities are worth considering carefully. Your funeral director will be able to advise on what the day involves.
If you are holding a service on shore, an order of service is as relevant here as at any other funeral — and can reflect the person’s connection to the sea in its design as well as its content. A photograph on the water, a nautical colour palette, a poem about the sea: these are the kinds of choices that make an order of service feel specific to the person it remembers.
You may also find our articles on green and woodland burial and traditional burial useful when considering the options.
If you would like to talk about an order of service for a burial at sea, call us free on 0800 612 6484 or send us a message.
