Burial at sea may sound like a long-forgotten tradition. However, as Laura Richardson’s latest article explains, it is still possible to have a burial at sea should someone choose to . . .

Only about a dozen people choose to be buried at sea in England or Northern Ireland each year. Being buried at sea requires obtaining a specific license which currently costs £50. However, as well as obtaining the license, there are a number of legal requirements that must be satisfied in order to be able to proceed with a burial at sea. Firstly, there are special requirements for the construction of the coffin to ensure that the body does not return to shore, or get caught up in fishing equipment. A comprehensive document pertaining to the necessary construction can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/burial-at-sea-further-information/burial-at-sea-coffin-requirements. Secondly, there are legal requirements regarding the body of the deceased, which must not have been embalmed, must be clothed in biodegradable material and must have a suitably durable identification tag. Furthermore, the deceased must have been certified as free from fever and infection.

There are currently three pre-approved locations for burial at sea in England:

  • Off the Needles, Isle of Wight
  • Between Hastings and Newhaven
  • Off Tynemouth, North Tyneside

Applying for a license for a burial at sea at a different location is possible but it would be necessary to provide complex evidence of site suitability in order to have the license granted.

Another element to consider is the format of the burial service itself. Because burial at sea takes place on a ship or boat, this may severely limit the number of people that would be able to be present to mark the occasion. You may therefore wish to arrange for a separate event to mark the burial in order that all of the deceased’s loved ones could be present to show their respects.

Arranging a burial at sea is a necessarily complex task and therefore it may be more viable to consider the simpler alternative of scattering ashes at sea following cremation which does not require any formal permissions or licenses, although it is advisable to consult with the Environment Agency that your chosen site is suitable.

Due to the extensive legal requirements surrounding being buried at sea it may be useful to discuss your options further with a specialist in order to determine how your wishes can best be met. It may also be beneficial to consider formalising your wishes within a pre-payment funeral plan in order to ensure that your requests will be carried out. At Andrew Douglas Wills & Legal Services, we offer a comprehensive pre-payment funeral plan service via our trusted partners, so whether you are simply considering funeral options, or whether you have a specific plan in mind, call today to arrange your free initial consultation.

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