No categories found for this post.
What Happens to a Body When Buried at Sea?
When your body is buried at sea, it undergoes the process of decomposition influenced by the condition of the ocean — primarily water temperature, depth and the abundance of sea […]
When your body is buried at sea, it undergoes the process of decomposition influenced by the condition of the ocean — primarily water temperature, depth and the abundance of sea life. In warm, tropical waters, the decomposition process can happen over the course of a few weeks or months; in cold waters, this can take several years. Sea burials must occur in waters at least 600 feet deep and at least three miles from the shoreline, according to the EPA.
For full-body burials, your body may be placed in a biodegradable shroud that’s weighted to sink down to the seabed. Or, you may be buried in a casket with holes drilled in (typically metal or wood caskets — no plastic or non-biodegradable materials are permitted by the EPA). The EPA also suggests adding additional biodegradable weights such as steel chain for shrouded bodies and sand or concrete for casketed bodies. The body eventually breaks down due to the action of water, bacteria and marine organisms, becoming part of the ocean’s ecosystem. Metal caskets also can become coral reef-like structures, akin to that of sunken ships, though scientists disagree on whether this is beneficial or harmful to the environment.
Sources
Ashworth, H. (2023, June 3). “How long does it take for a body to decompose at sea?” BBC Science Focus. https://www.sciencefocus.com/the-human-body/how-long-does-it-take-for-a-body-to-decompose-at-sea
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
