Burial at Sea in Florida
West Palm Beach Burial At Sea
Say "See You Again" To Loved Ones
Sandhill Charters provides a compassionate and dignified Ocean Ash Scattering service for those seeking a burial at sea in Florida. Our experienced team offers personalized assistance to give your loved one a final farewell that is both respectful and serene. With our charter boat for scattering ashes in Florida, families can create a meaningful and peaceful ceremony amid the beauty of the ocean. Whether you’re planning a private funeral at sea in Florida or organizing a group gathering, we guide you through every step to ensure the experience honors your wishes. Trust us to handle the delicate process of scattering ashes at sea in Florida with care.
Choosing the final resting place of your departed loved one is both a solemn and healing process for those left behind. A burial at sea, one of the oldest and most honored traditions, is a beautiful and memorable way to honor the deceased for the final farewell. It takes them on a journey around the world and back again by the scattering of ashes.
Our goal is to tailor this specifically to you and your family and make this as easy and relaxing as possible during your ceremony.
1.5 Hour Attended Ash Scattering
Basic Service $549 – Duration 1.5 Hours
What Is Included?
- USCG Licensed Captain
- Cooler, Ice, Bottled Water
- High Resolution Digital Ash Scattering Certificate (PDF format) emailed within 7 business days.
- Captains Epitaph (if requested, see bottom for more details)
- Up to 90 minutes of vessel usage
- Single Scattering (additional scatterings/certificates at an additional cost)
- Required EPA Filing
2.5 Hour Attended Ash Scattering
Premium Service $699 – Duration 2.5 Hours
What Is Included?
- USCG Licensed Captain
- Cooler, Ice, Bottled Water
- High Resolution Digital Ash Scattering Certificate (PDF, JPG, PNG formats) emailed within 3 business days.
- Complimentary, premium double sided certificate holder with blank glossy paper to print at home. (qty 1)
- Digital Photographs (min qty 10, max 50)
- Captains Epitaph (if requested, see bottom of page for more details)
- Up to 2.5 hours of vessel usage
- Multiple scatterings with certificates at no additional cost (up to 4)
-Customizable Ash Scattering Certificate(s) upon request - Required EPA filing
- Video Slide Show with music (private YouTube link, upon request only)
Unattended Ash Scattering
What Is Included?
- United States Coast Guard Licensed Captain
- Free pickup of remains in Palm Beach County or mail using USPS: Click Here to order free kit
- Required EPA Paperwork Filing (40 CFR 229.1)
- Memorial Certificate (professionally designed)
- Proof of Service Photos (minimum of 2)
- Respectful and Dignified, brief ceremony provided by Captain to honor your loved one in your absence.
Attended Ash Scattering Burials
All information about how the at-sea burial will take place will be gathered and discussed before the trip, so on the day of, all you need to do is show up at the pickup dock location. This trip generally takes a mininum of about 1.5 hours. Plan on a 30-minute trip out and a 30-minute return trip back to the dock.
The boat holds up to 6 guests. You may bring your minister as part of your group of 6 attendees.
For families larger than 6 passengers, call us to discuss available options and pricing aboard larger vessels
All information about how the at-sea burial will take place will be gathered and discussed before the trip, so on the day of, all you need to do is show up at the pickup dock location. This trip generally takes about 1.5 hours. Plan on a 30-minute trip out and a 30-minute return trip back to the dock.
With both sunrise and sunset trips available or a time the family decides, the Bonnie Lee will depart the marina and head out the Lake Worth Inlet and will travel offshore approximately three nautical miles into the Gulf Stream, where the ashes of your loved one will be scattered and carried into the oceans of the world.
Once in position, the Captain will note the GPS coordinates and make note of the day and sea conditions and, if requested, deliver a brief ceremony for the family or allow time for the family to do their own. We will enable the family full autonomy in how they want the ceremony conducted and be 100% private.
Guests can bring their own beverages, snacks, toasting supplies, biodegradable flowers, and personal messages written on stone or paper notes. You may bring your selection of music to play by pairing it with our sound system or provided on a CD. If you would like items prepared and provisioned on your behalf, please let us know.
Please note:
If offshore water conditions are not favorable or safe to venture out, your loved one’s ashes may be scattered in the Intracoastal Waterway or at the mouth of the Lake Worth Inlet.
The Captain will communicate any adverse conditions before your ash scattering ceremony and recommend a release time that coincides with a falling tide so that cremains are carried out to sea.
- Captain meets with guests at the dock 10-15 minutes prior to departure time.
- Embark the private 25ft Boston Whaler.
- A USCG required safety brief and overview of the boat is provided by the Captain to all passengers.
- Departure proceeds to a tranquil location 3 nautical miles off shore passing Peanut Island before heading out the Lake Worth Inlet.
- Total Cruise time is between 1.5- 2.5 hours but may shortened or extended at client request.
- Bottled water, cooler and ice is provided. Client/family may bring their own Champagne, White Wine, Spirits or the likes for a toast to the departed loved one. We normally do not allow glass on board but will make the exception for these services only with extra care needed to prevent breakage. Please bring your plastic toasting glasses.
- Client/Family are welcome to bring their own music to link via Bluetooth to our sound system or on a CD.
- Arrival at serene location, the Captain, Minister and/or family members will provide a reading of a passage, conduct the ceremony, release of ashes, memorial flowers/rose petals and or any biodegradable mementos. Captain will note the GPS coordinates
- At the conclusion of the ceremony, captain will make a final pass around the scattering allowing the family time for any final reflection, remembrance and a chance for a final farewell as their loved one begins their journey around the globe.
- The vessel will make it’s way back to port at a slower pace to allow family to gather on deck, embrace one another, take photos and reflect on this occasion.
- Post Cruise: A designated family member receives one (1) Memorial Certificate via electronic PDF to print at home. Memorial certificate may include a family provided photo, photo of the scattering, date, time, latitude/longitude coordinates and a brief statement. This certificate gives meaning to many family members for re-visiting at later dates or for dispersing other family cremains at the same location. A double sided certificate holder can be ordered for an additional fee of $19.99 and will be given to the family at time of ceremony.
- Gratuity is not included and never required, but with any personal services rendered, a 18-25% gratuity is an accepted way to thank the Captain and/or crew for exceptional service.
Unattended Ash Scattering Burials
We understand that members of the family may not be able to attend for any number of reasons, but still wish that the final resting place of their beloved is carried out at sea. All you need to do is send us any amount of ashes to be scattered, and the Captain will ensure you carry out the duties in just as much reverence and respect as if you were attending personally. We also work very closely with Funeral Homes and Crematoriums from around the country to facilitate in honoring final wishes of your loved one.
The Captain will note the GPS coordinates and make note of the day and sea conditions, scatter the ashes among fresh flower petals and mail you back a certificate containing the information and photographs of the site.
Cremated remains must be mailed using USPS, or we can pick them up from a local funeral director in Palm Beach County.
Click Here to order your free cremated remains kit from USPS, follow the packaging instructions and mail it to us directly.
- You may include any biodegradable mementos such as hand written notes, a message on a stone or photos printed on plain paper.
- Within seven (10-14) days of receipt, the Captain will travel 3 nautical miles offshore.
- Captain conducts dignified and respectful ceremony in the same fashion as if the family was in attendance.
- Pictures are taken and a designated family member will receive one (1) Memorial Certificate via USPS approximately 1-2 weeks after the cruise. Memorial Certificate may include a family provided photo of their loved one, photo of scattering, date, time, latitude/longitude coordinates and a brief statement. This certificate gives meaning to many family members for future site visits at a later date or for dispersing other family cremains at the same location. Additional certificates can be ordered for an additional fee.
- The option to disburse additional cremains of other family members, on the same cruise, is available for an additional cost per scattering.
- Gratuity is not included and never required, but with any personal services rendered, a 15-20% gratuity is an accepted way to thank the Captain and/or crew for exceptional service.
Ocean Ash Scattering Ceremonies In West Palm Beach
We want to provide the ceremony YOU want and are honored to be a small part of this special moment. If you would like to include any items from above or don’t see exactly what you want, please reach out and let us know, and we will give you a personalized rate.
You are welcome to bring anything along that you would like, provided if it goes into the ocean, it is biodegradable and doesn’t pose a risk to marine life. Any additions or provisioning you would like us to provide will be at an additional cost, and we will gladly discuss this with a customized quote.
Package Add-Ons
Package add-ons are available at an additional cost. Please call us with any special requests for a customized quote
- Videography
- Certificate Holders
- Biodegradable Urns
- Flower Petals
- Memorial Stones
- Fresh Flowers
- Ocean Friendly Wreaths
- Love Notes
- Food & Drink Packages
- Customer Requests
Why The Atlantic Gulf Stream Is Ideal For Ocean Ash Scattering Burials
Originating in the Gulf of Mexico, wrapping around the tip of Florida before turning North along the East coast of the United States, the Gulf Stream is one of Earth’s most powerful forces and ideal for carrying ashes to every part of the seven oceans around the globe. For this reason, anytime you walk along the beach or see a whale breach the surface or a wave breaking as it reaches your toes, you can find comfort and peace knowing your loved one is near.
Commonly Ask Questions: Burial At Sea - Ocean Ash Scattering
The Captain’s Epitaph offered during ash scattering services is optional and not customizable. It is personally written and delivered by Captain Matt and reflects his own Christian faith, including scripture-based language and references to Jesus Christ, using both Old New Testament scriptures. This Epitaph is designed as a heartfelt farewell and is always shared in advance with families so they may decide whether or not they wish to include it in their ceremony.
While Captain Matt is always respectful and welcoming of all beliefs, he does not offer custom or alternative Epitaph’s outside of his own faith. This means we are not able to tailor the Captain’s Epitaph to align with other religious traditions, but can keep it more generic if requested.
However, families have several accommodating options:
You may opt out of the Captain’s Epitaph entirely.
You may choose to have a quiet, respectful moment without any spoken farewell.
You may bring your own officiant, minister, rabbi, or spiritual speaker (as part of your group of six guests) to lead a personalized ceremony or deliver a message aligned with your traditions.
You are welcome to prepare and speak your own words or have a loved one do so.
At Sandhill Charters, we have respectfully served families from all walks of life and faiths and are committed to providing a supportive, peaceful experience. We will work with you to honor your loved one in a way that is meaningful to you, within the framework of our services.
Under Federal EPA regulations, we must go beyond 3 nautical miles offshore. However in some circumstances, we can perform an Inlet release during the outgoing tide if sea conditions are less than faborable.
We only offer private, intimate experiences. It will just be you and your invited guests (up to 6 on the Bonnie Lee)
At this time pet cremains, per the EPA, can not be scattered in the ocean. However releases in state waters, such as the Intracoastal Waterway, are possible. Please call us directly for more information
Absolutely! Every service is tailored to the guests and the wishes of the family. We recommend calling us to discuss optimal times to go to avoid weather or sea condition challenges as different times of the year will present different ideal times to go.
Our captain will always prepare an individualized Captain’s Epitaph for your family. Some families want this Christian based delivery from the captain and others don’t . You always have a choice in the matter, can prepare your own final words of remembrance or even bring your minister as part of your group of 6. See question above: “What type of Epitaph is delivered during an ash scattering?”
You do NOT need to have an urn and most families prefer a direct release into the ocean as its such a beautiful sight to see, something cameras just can’t quite capture. However, while not as common but still widely practiced, if you choose to use an urn, it must be a biodegradable urn. There are many options and designs available from paper urns to those made from salt. Call us with any questions
Yes and no. We do not need a death certificate or power of attorney. Those items you should keep.
However, we do require you to fill out our Ash Scattering Authorization Form found at www.sandhillcharters.com/authorization-form. This is a chain of custody form acknowledging you are an authorization representative of the family allowed to make this decision and are hiring Sandhill Charters for use of the vessel, captain and optional ceremony. We use the information you provide for your Ash Scattering Certificate, as well as notifying the EPA of the name of the deceased, date and location as required by law.
You may cancel for a refund or reschedule at any time without penalty, providing at least 24 hours notice.
In the event of foul weather or bad sea conditions: We make every effort to work around weather and sea conditions with several “contingency plans” in place. These trips are that important.
However, should the unfortunate need come that we have to cancel for mother nature related or mechanical issues, and your schedule doesn’t allow to reschedule, we will always refund you 100%.
We are a family company serving families and will work with you on all matters.
We know there are lots of questions and concerns, planning details and schedule arrangements that need to be made so feel free to contact us for a personal one-on-one consultation with the captain
info@sandhillcharters.com
call/text 561-316-7528
