SEA BURIALS & MEMORIALS.

As a result of our maritime heritage and island location, many people in the UK have the desire to be buried or have a memorial ceremony at sea.

Generally sea burials and memorials are not encouraged by UK authorities due to environmental and legal concerns.

A license needs to be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) for burial at sea.

Currently there are only 2 places around the coast where sea burials are allowed,;

The Needles, Isle of Wight and Newhaven, East Sussex.

However we have seen a recent project launched in the USA that may make burials and memorials at sea a more accessible proposition.

The Neptune Society which specialises in cremation services in the USA are creating the Neptune Memorial Reef.

Positioned 3 miles from the coast of Miami in 40 feet of clear blue water the reef will provide a beautiful setting for those wishing to be buried at sea. The plan is to create one of the largest man made reefs in the world, based on the legendary lost city. It is expected that the reef will cover 16 acres of ocean floor and will be a haven for marine life to flourish. It is expected to be an attraction for divers, ecologists and tourists as well as providing a revolutionary burial site, with capacity for over 100,000 remains.

The Neptune Society was established in 1973 and provides US consumers with simply, economical and dignified alternatives to traditional memorial ceremonies from 38 locations throughout the country.

Burial at see differs greatly from a traditional funeral with headstones etc, and should be considered carefully.