Ash Scatterings at Sea

Saying Good-Bye
People who love the sea often ask that their ashes be scattered on the ocean. This is a beautiful service, often with the remains and flower petals mingling on the water as friends and family say good-bye. This is a closing of the circle. It's a celebration of the spirit they held dear and an opportunity to rejoice in that spirit on the waters of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We make certain the service is exactly as requested and we feel honored to be a part of it.

Please feel free to bring flowers, photos and any mementos that will comfort your family at this meaningful time.

For pricing and availability, please call us directly at (831)917-1042 or email crew@sanctuarycruises.com.

One hour is plenty of time for a simple burial, but for folks who want to go to a special location, have larger parties or would like their event catered, we offer more options. Ash Scattering cruises may be scheduled on any day of the week. We recommend early morning cruises for these trips as conditions are typically calmest then and we will work with you to find a time that works best for your attendees.

Say Farewell with Prayer

At your request and at no additional fee, our Captain will offer a nautical prayer as part of your Ash Scattering ceremony.

Below, you'll find a letter we've received following one of our burials at sea. We get a good number of them, because we really put our hearts into our work. We understand there are no second chances to make this cruise perfect.

"I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the care in which you treated this very sacred and sad time of my life; the passing of my mother Diane. From the moment that I talked to you on the phone the first time, I knew that your service was the one that I wanted to use for her scattering. Knowing that my mom had only days to live, I was not in a mental place to deal with the business of her passing. You seemed to understand this, and made it an extremely easy process for me. It was so helpful that you took all the information that was needed at that time, and then assured me that you would be flexible with the arrangement schedule when the time came. It was one last thing that I needed to worry about when she did pass. Your pricing was also very reasonable compared to some of the companies offering services in the Monterey Bay area.

On the day of the scattering, you were welcoming, present, but not intrusive. You gave my family and me the opportunity to spend much needed time alone on the boat, while assisting me in conducting the scattering in a manner in which my mom would be proud.

You have the most beautiful voice, and having the added touch of you singing two songs for us, really made the day special.

I also want to mention the fact that we felt safe and comfortable the entire time, both with your skilled captain and with the wrist bands that you had available for possible seasickness. I had never seen those before, and it was far superior to the patches or pills you normally have to take.

Thank you again for a really beautiful scattering. I look forward to coming out with you under more pleasant circumstances in the future, for one of your whale watching trips."
- Robin Moyer

Permit Instructions:
You must obtain a permit from: Monterey County Office of Vital Records at 1270 Natividad Road, Salinas, CA 831-755-4506
Open Monday - Friday 9am-noon and 1-4pm
Please complete the permit request form: “Application and Permit for Disposition of Human Remains.”
Fee: $12. Bring a certified copy of the death certificate at time of submission.
The location should state: “At sea off Monterey County, CA.”
Please bring the permit aboard your charter and we will fill in the location coordinates and return it to the authorities for you.