Burial at Sea in Jacksonville, FL
A private burial at sea in Jacksonville is a peaceful ash scattering ceremony on the Atlantic, with your family aboard and a licensed captain taking care of the details.
- 3+ nautical miles offshore
- Private boat, just your family
- Exact GPS coordinates provided
- USCG-licensed captain
A private burial at sea in Jacksonville
Saying goodbye at sea is simple, quiet, and personal. You choose who comes, what is said, and how long you stay.
We take Jacksonville families out for a burial at sea regularly. Depending on the boat you choose, we leave from the Mayport Boat Ramp at the mouth of the St. Johns River, Palm Cove Marina in Jacksonville Beach, or Fernandina Harbor Marina on Amelia Island, and head out through the inlet into the Atlantic. Once we're at least three nautical miles offshore, the captain slows the boat so your family can have the ceremony at its own pace: a few words, a song, a prayer, flowers on the water, and the scattering itself.
Every trip is a private charter, so nobody else is aboard. Jacksonville Boat Charters is also a local business. Captain Jason French has run charters on the First Coast since 2017 and holds a 100-ton USCG captain's license.
How a burial at sea in Jacksonville works
Call, text or send the form
Tell us your preferred dates, how many people are coming, and anything special you have in mind. Also, there's no rush. We're happy to talk with whoever in the family is making the decision, and we can text you this page to share.
Choose a boat and a date
Next, we'll suggest the right boat and departure point for your group, and plan around the weather and sea conditions so the ride out is as calm as possible.
The ceremony at sea
We cruise at least three nautical miles offshore. You scatter the ashes or place a biodegradable urn in the water, and add flowers or petals if you like. Then take as long as you need. Meanwhile, the captain records the exact position of the boat at the moment of the scattering.
After the trip
We give you the exact GPS coordinates of the location, so you'll always know where your loved one rests. We also send you the link to the EPA's short online report, which needs to be filed within 30 days. Alternatively, your funeral home can file it for you.
Burial at sea rules off Jacksonville, in plain English
Scattering ashes in the ocean off Jacksonville is legal and common. It's allowed under a general permit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and no application or fee is needed beforehand. Here's what the rules require:
- At least 3 nautical miles from land. Cremated remains must be placed in the ocean at least three nautical miles (about 3.5 miles) offshore. Of course, we take care of the route and the distance.
- Report it to the EPA within 30 days. However, it's only a short online form, and no death certificate is needed. We give you the exact coordinates and the link, and your funeral home can help you file it.
- Flowers and wreaths must break down naturally. Fresh flowers and petals are fine. However, plastic flowers, ribbons, wire and balloons are not.
- Urns must sink and contain no plastic. For this reason, a biodegradable or water-soluble urn is the best choice if you'd like to place an urn rather than scatter.
- Human remains only. The federal burial-at-sea permit doesn't cover pets' ashes.
Source: U.S. EPA, Burial at Sea.
Families coming from out of state
Many families who plan a burial at sea in Jacksonville live elsewhere, or their loved one was cremated in another state. In fact, it's not a problem at all.
No Florida permit needed
You don't need a special permit to bring cremated remains into Florida. Also, your hometown funeral home doesn't have to be involved in the boat trip. Bring a copy of the cremation certificate or death certificate with you.
Shipping the ashes
The U.S. Postal Service is the only carrier that accepts cremated remains. They must go by Priority Mail Express in the USPS cremated-remains box. Your funeral home can also arrange this for you.
Flying with the ashes
Cremated remains can travel in your carry-on in a container that can be X-rayed, such as wood, plastic or cardboard. However, check your airline's rules before you fly.
Planning from a distance
We can arrange everything by phone and text. Then your family just needs to meet the captain at the dock on the day.
Choosing a boat for a burial at sea in Jacksonville
You can use any boat on our website for a burial at sea in Jacksonville. Each trip is a private charter with a USCG-licensed captain. These boats work well for a ceremony at sea:
| Boat | Guests | Comfort | Departs from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 44 ft Sea Ray YachtBest for larger families | Up to 12 | Restroom, enclosed cabin, covered seating | Palm Cove Marina, Jacksonville Beach |
| 25 ft ProlineShortest ride to the ocean | 1 to 6 | T-top for shade | Mayport Boat Ramp, at the inlet |
| 35 ft CatamaranStable, shaded and quiet | Up to 6 | Shaded cockpit under a hard top | Palm Cove Marina, Jacksonville Beach |
| 37 ft Sailing CatamaranSteady sailing on two hulls | Up to 6 | Shaded cockpit, bow trampoline | Fernandina Harbor Marina |
| 33 ft SailboatFor someone who loved to sail | 3 to 6 (1 to 2 on our sail for two) | Bimini top for shade | Fernandina Harbor Marina |
Of these boats, only the Sea Ray has a restroom. So if someone in your group needs a restroom, an easy ride, or plenty of shade, tell us when you get in touch and we'll recommend the right boat.
Where Jacksonville burials at sea leave from
Mayport Boat Ramp
Michael B. Scanlon Mayport Boat Ramp4870 Ocean St, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Right at the mouth of the St. Johns River, so the ride out to sea is the shortest.
Palm Cove Marina
14603 Beach BlvdJacksonville, FL 32250
On the Intracoastal Waterway, with free parking. Home of the Sea Ray and the 35 ft catamaran.
Fernandina Harbor Marina
3 S Front StFernandina Beach, FL 32034
At the foot of Centre Street in historic downtown Fernandina Beach. Our sailboats leave from here.
What's included
Included with every burial at sea
- Private boat and USCG-licensed captain
- A trip at least 3 nautical miles offshore
- Unhurried time for your ceremony
- Exact GPS coordinates of the location
- The EPA rules and the reporting link, sent to you
- Life jackets and safety gear
Optional photographer
- Dock shoot30 minutes of photos at the dock before you leave$199
- 2-hour session at seaA photographer rides along, quietly and respectfully$449
- Full charter sessionCovers the whole trip$649
You're welcome to bring photos, music, readings, fresh flowers or petals, and a biodegradable urn. In addition, your funeral home can usually supply a water-soluble urn.
Burial at sea pricing in Jacksonville
A burial at sea in Jacksonville is priced as a private charter, so one price covers the whole boat and your captain. These are our regular charter rates:
| Boat | Charter rates | Guests |
|---|---|---|
| 44 ft Sea Ray YachtPalm Cove Marina | 2 hrs $1,035 · 3 hrs $1,619 · 4 hrs $2,074 · 6 hrs $3,025 | Up to 12 |
| 35 ft CatamaranPalm Cove Marina | 2 hrs $495 · 3 hrs $695 · 4 hrs $875 · 5 hrs $1,075 · 6 hrs $1,275 · 7 hrs $1,695 | Up to 6 |
| 37 ft Sailing CatamaranFernandina Beach | 2 hrs $399 · 3 hrs $499 · 4 hrs $599 | Up to 6 |
| 33 ft SailboatFernandina Beach | 2 hrs $275 · 3 hrs $399 · 4 hrs $425 · 6 hrs $549 (sail for two from $225) | 3 to 6 |
| 25 ft ProlineMayport Boat Ramp | Ask for a quote | 1 to 6 |
- Florida sales tax (7.5%) is added at checkout. Holidays and holiday weekends add $50.
- A 15% gratuity is added for groups of more than 6.
- Reserve now and pay later with Affirm at checkout.
How long will our trip be?It depends on the boat and where you leave from, because the boat must go at least three nautical miles offshore and back. So send the form or call, and we'll recommend the right trip length and confirm your total.
For veterans' families
The U.S. Navy offers burial at sea at no cost for eligible veterans and their dependents, but family members can't go aboard for the ceremony. If your family would like to be there in person, we're honored to take you out privately for a burial at sea from Jacksonville. Also, you're welcome to bring a flag, a photo of their service, or anything that marks it.
Questions about a burial at sea in Jacksonville
Rules and paperwork
Is it legal to scatter ashes at sea in Florida?
Yes. A burial at sea off Jacksonville is allowed under federal EPA rules: cremated remains can be placed in the ocean at least three nautical miles from land, with no permit needed beforehand. After that, the burial must be reported to the EPA within 30 days.
How far offshore do you go?
At least three nautical miles (about 3.5 miles) from land, as the EPA requires. In addition, the captain plots the route and records the exact position of the ceremony.
Who files the EPA report?
The family, or the funeral home on the family's behalf, files a short online report with the EPA within 30 days. We give you the exact coordinates and the link to the form, so it only takes a few minutes.
Will we get the coordinates?
Yes. We give you the exact GPS coordinates of the location, so you'll always know where your loved one rests.
Planning the trip
The ashes are coming from another state. Is that a problem?
Not at all. You don't need a Florida permit to bring cremated remains here, and the out-of-state funeral home doesn't need to be involved in the boat trip. In addition, ashes can be shipped by USPS Priority Mail Express or carried on a plane in your carry-on.
How many people can come?
Up to 6 guests on most of our boats, and up to 12 on the 44 ft Sea Ray Yacht. So tell us your group size and we'll suggest the right boat.
Which boat should we choose: sailboat, catamaran or yacht?
For larger groups, or if anyone will need a restroom, the 44 ft Sea Ray Yacht is the most comfortable. The 25 ft Proline leaves from Mayport, right at the inlet, so it has the shortest ride to the ocean. On the other hand, if your loved one loved sailing, a sailboat or sailing catamaran from Fernandina Beach can be especially meaningful.
How long does the trip take?
It depends on the boat and where you leave from. Trips from the Mayport Boat Ramp are the shortest because it sits right at the inlet. By contrast, from Palm Cove Marina or Fernandina Beach, allow more time to reach the ocean. Then send the form or call, and we'll recommend the right trip length.
On the day
Can we scatter only part of the ashes and keep the rest?
Yes. In fact, many families keep a portion in a keepsake urn or share it among relatives.
Can we bring flowers, a wreath or an urn?
Yes, as long as everything breaks down naturally: fresh flowers and petals, no plastic, ribbon or wire. Similarly, urns placed in the water must sink and contain no plastic. For this reason, a water-soluble urn is ideal.
Can we scatter the ashes in the St. Johns River or the Intracoastal instead?
We hold ceremonies in the ocean, where the federal burial-at-sea permit clearly applies. Inland waters aren't covered by that permit and local rules can vary, so the open Atlantic is the simplest choice.
What if someone gets seasick, or the weather is bad?
The ocean can be choppier than the Intracoastal, so anyone prone to seasickness should take motion-sickness medicine before the trip. Also, the captain makes the final call on sea conditions. If we cancel for weather or safety, you get a full refund or a new date. On the other hand, if you need to cancel, you get a refund (minus a 3% processing fee) when you cancel more than 5 days before your trip.
Can a pet's ashes be included?
The federal burial-at-sea permit covers human remains only, so a pet's ashes can't be included in the ocean ceremony.
"Unhurried, private, and on the water they loved. That's what a farewell at sea can be."
When you're ready, we're here
Call or text Captain Jason at (904) 595-9196, or send us the form below for a free burial at sea quote in Jacksonville. Above all, there's no pressure, and we're glad to answer questions for anyone in your family who is helping make the decision.
In your message, please include: your preferred date or dates, how many people are coming, where you'd like to leave from (Mayport, Jacksonville Beach or Fernandina Beach), and anything special you'd like for the ceremony.