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Does a Body Need to Be Embalmed for a Burial at Sea?
No, your body does not need to be embalmed for a burial at sea. It is acceptable to bury an embalmed body at sea, though some discourage the practice because […]
No, your body does not need to be embalmed for a burial at sea. It is acceptable to bury an embalmed body at sea, though some discourage the practice because the chemicals can be harmful to the environment. The expansive dilution that occurs in the ocean, however, leads some researchers to believe the general effect isn’t too problematic. For full-body burials at sea, typically the body will be placed in a biodegradable casket (no plastic materials allowed, as per the EPA) or a shroud made of natural, biodegradable materials — for either, your body can be embalmed or unembalmed.
Sources
Cole, C. (2022, April 12). “Yes, anybody can be buried at sea. Why people pick the ocean as their final resting place.” Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-04-12/full-body-burials-at-sea-ocean-funeral
United States Environmental Protection Agency: “Burial at sea” November 15 2024: Found online at https://www.epa.gov/marine-protection-permitting/burial-sea
