Our Operations and Services: We arrange sea burial services for anyone from anywhere in the world
Nature's Passage conducts burial operations at sea - both seaborne and airborne - in strict compliance with permits and conditions stated and stipulated:
Code of Federal Regulations, Title 40, Volume 23; Cite: 40CFR229.1:Burial at sea
Statistical studies done by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicate that 40% of today’s funerals involve cremations and of that number, 15% desire their ‘cremains’ to be spread at sea. Today, “full-body casketed” burials at sea is a small but growing commercial operation.
- We're the only sea burial service in the United States to offer the 'old mariner' : Full-body wrapped in sail cloth as an interment option.
- We're the only sea burial service in the United States to offer 'full military honors' for America's veterans.
Services:
1. We arrange sea burial services for anyone from anywhere in the United States That's right! Anywhere in the United States. This is the majority of our business. We have affiliate captains operating vessels in all major ports on the Atlantic, Pacfic, Gulf states, Alaska and Hawaii who'll respond to your wishes. So, no matter where you're located in America, we can arrange a burial at sea to meet your specific reqiurements.
2. We perform burial voyages -- ashes and or full-body caskets or sail cloth shrouds - year round - from various sea ports in the New York City and Metropolitan tri-state area.
Currently we perform full-body burials at sea by affilated captains aboard vessels only from ports in the New York Metro area, but we accept caskets flown into JFK (Kennedy) Airport, New York City from anywhere in the United States or from any place on the planet. Final arrangements are made to prepare the body for marine submerssion in affiliated and fully licensed and regulated Funeral Homes located in New York City or Amityville, NY. The casket or shroud is prepared for sea burial by officers of Nature's Passage while enroute to the interment site some 60 to 75 miles SSE of Fire Island Inlet, Long Island, NY.
Nature’s Passage performs four categories of Burial Voyages.
- Unaccompanied: Burial services at sea without passengers - family or friends aboard.
- Accompanied Exclusive: Burial service at sea and ceremony dedicated to one deceased person. Family members and friends of the deceased are on board.
- Accompanied Non-Exclusive: A single ceremony with multiple burials is conducted with families and friends of the deceased on board.
- Special Operations: Special voyages and ceremonies and tailored to meet the most exotic or unique requirements.
Nature’s Passage conducts three types of sea burials:
- Spreading Cremated (‘cremains’) Ashes: This is the most common interment operation we perform. This service is performed on the open-ocean or Long Island Sound at least three miles off the southern shore of Long Island, New York.
- Full-body/casket submersion: The embalmed body of the deceased and casket (prepared for submersion) are buried at sea at depths exceeding 100 fathoms (600 feet) in the open-ocean some 65 to 85 miles off the southern shore of Long Island, New York.
- Sail-cloth wrapped submersion: The non-embalmed body is wrapped in sail cloth, weighted and sewn closed then submersed, without casket, at depths exceeding 100 fathoms (600 feet) in the open-ocean some 65-85 miles off the southern shore of Long Island, New York.
Full Military Funeral Honors:
Nature’s Passage performs burial and funeral services at sea for civilians, but is the only commercial company to perform ‘full military honors’ funeral at sea for American veterans.
Nature’s Passage performs burial operations at sea all year round. However, we must make adjustments to passenger operations and pricing based upon weather and sea conditions.
Special Operations: Special Ceremonial Voyages and Air Operations are conducted year-round with no restrictions what so ever.
Nature’s Passage performs three uniquely different interment operations:
- Spread cremated remains 'cremains' (ashes) at sea
- Full-body casket submersions
- Full-body sail-cloth wrapped submersions - without casket
Nature’s Passage has specialists/consultants on our staff who will respond to any issue imaginable. If you have any concern regarding burials at sea, please ask us.
Calltoll free today at 1-888-551-1277
We will find a solution for you! If one of the common voyages below do not satisfy you, let us know, we will work together to serve you in any way possible!
Click on: “Information and Questions” for an explanation of terms, voyages and ceremonies. However… at any time…If you need to ask a question that isn’t answered fully in this site, or you feel a bit overwhelmed by all the information…just call our office and speak to a counselor: 1-888-551-1277. We will find a solution for you.
Our most popular voyage!
Exclusive – Accompanied: Spreading ‘ashes’ Long Island Sound –
Summer: 1 June – 31 October
An exclusive sailing charter for up to six (6) family members or friends who spread cremated remains on the calm waters of Long Island sound during the mild and sunny summer sailing season. This is a 3 to 5 hour voyage aboard Barquette, a 37 foot sailing sloop that sails from Oyster Bay to a point 3 miles off Long Island’s north shore. This is an exceptionally serene and relaxing voyage. A perfect way to say an intimate, “good bye.”
Secular Sea Burial
Nature’s Passage continues to accomplish its mission to provide sea burial services to all. We are proud to offer burials that are sanctioned by the American Atheists, Inc. We are aware of an atheist’s desires to fight against intrusion by the religious and we demand of ourselves personal behavior and action that accords with Atheism.
Burial at sea is a logical option for Atheists who support environmental science and wish to take action at the end-of-life to benefit the human condition, human life and the ecological future of our planet.
Tell us what arrangements you wish us to take on your behalf and they will be done exactly as you desire at a cost that’s up to 70% less than conventional funerals and burials.
Special Ceremonial Operations:
We pride ourselves as being flexible. We’ll accomplish any task placed before us. We want to make your burial at sea ceremony a celebration; a testimonial of love and respect. No task is too big or too small. You tell us what you’d like us to do, give us a budget and some time to coordinate events and we’ll get it done! You won’t be disappointed. Trust us! You dream it …we’ll do it!
Here are a few illustrative examples ---
Funeral, Burial at Sea and Memorial Celebration combined into one major event.
While aboard one of our elegant chartered dinner cruise ships, a formal funeral service, coordinated by the director of one of our affiliated funeral homes begins. A military honors ceremony is lead by the ship’s captain in full-dress uniform and a para-military contingent of 7 sailors support the ceremony. Moments after the deceased’s ashes are spread at sea and the bugler sounds TAPS, a joyous memorial celebration starts! A live orchestra plays softly as your guests enjoy a fine gourmet four course meal -- then dance the night away! What a way to say ‘Good bye!’
Elite - Airborne Operations:
Nature’s Passage has both fixed and rotary wing aircraft in direct support of our Special Ceremonial Operations.
Consider spreading your loved one’s ashes by air…almost anywhere! Federal and state regulations apply here of course, but don’t worry. You tell us where you’d like your loved one’s ashes dispersed… anywhere - hills, valley, desert, forest or ocean and we’ll coordinate with officials to gain clearance to fly.
We have routinely dispersed cremated ashes at least 3 miles off-shore from our twin turbo prop helicopter. Hovering just a few feet above the ocean’s surface, we can inter a casket or shroud some 65 miles out at sea and return to base in less than an hour! This is certainly an expensive operation, but it saves time and the rigor of sailing well off-shore in rough seas or cold weather.
Create YOUR Special Ceremony!
Please don’t be shy. If you wish to create a special ceremony or service for your loved one, call and share your ideas with us. Together we’ll plan a course of action that will make your dreams come true. Trust us!
If Nature's Passage appeals to your heart and soul, please consider taking the next step by creating a 'Plan of Action' for service. If you still would like to learn more click here to view our Frequently Asked Questions or call today toll free at 1-888-551-1277
Gaily I lived as ease and nature taught,
And spent my little life without a thought,
And am amazed that Death, that tyrant grim,
Should think of me, who never thought of him.
~ René Francois Regnier
Nature's Passage Burial at Sea Service
Performing burials and 'military' memorial services at sea.
Subsidiary of : SeaServices.com
Phone: 1-888-551-1277
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