Most families searching for this answer have never planned a burial at sea before. They are doing it once, for someone they love, and they need honest information — not a vague "call for pricing" that forces a sales conversation before they are ready.
This guide gives you the actual numbers, what is included, what costs extra, and how to think about the total you will spend. Nothing is hidden here.
A private ash scattering ceremony aboard JADA — the 1938 classic yacht that operates exclusively for Burials at Sea San Diego — begins at $1,843.75. That is the base price for a private charter with immediate family members (up to a small group, typically 6–8 people depending on configuration).
That price is not a floor designed to get you on the phone. It is the actual starting point for most ceremonies we conduct. Here is what it includes:
The GPS certificate documents the precise location where the ashes were scattered. This can be used for death certificate purposes, shared with family members who could not attend, or kept as a permanent record of the final resting place.
Being honest about what is not in the base price is as important as telling you what is. Here is what families sometimes add:
| Add-On | Notes | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Additional guests beyond the base group | Per-person charge above the included count | Varies |
| Flower petals for the water | Can be purchased locally or brought by the family | Family provides |
| Music / audio system use | Families are welcome to use Bluetooth speakers | Included |
| Officiant or chaplain | Arranged separately by the family if desired | Varies by officiant |
| Photography or videography | Third-party vendors can typically come aboard | Varies by vendor |
| Biodegradable urns or flower wreaths | Can be purchased from many funeral suppliers | $25–$150 typical |
The most common cost variable is group size. JADA is a 65-foot vessel that can accommodate larger family gatherings comfortably. When a family wants to bring 15 or 20 people — cousins, close friends, colleagues of the deceased — the per-person charge above the base group adds to the total.
Families with larger groups sometimes find it helpful to think about it this way: the charter cost divided by the number of attendees often comes out to less per person than a restaurant dinner. When you consider that many family members have traveled from out of town specifically for this, the shared cost is usually reasonable.
For smaller ceremonies — just a spouse and adult children, for example — the base price at $1,843.75 is the complete cost of the voyage.
Families sometimes ask how a private charter on JADA compares to other burial at sea services. A few honest comparisons:
Shared charters: Some providers offer shared voyages where multiple families participate in the same trip. These are typically less expensive — often in the $500–$900 range — but your family shares the deck, the ceremony time, and the moment with strangers. Most families who have thought carefully about this prefer the privacy of a dedicated ceremony.
Naval burial at sea: The U.S. Navy offers burials at sea for eligible veterans and their dependents. These are conducted without family present, on a naval vessel at a time and location the Navy selects. There is no charge. For families who want to be present for the ceremony, the Navy option is not available.
Funeral home add-ons: Some funeral homes offer to "arrange" ash scattering at sea on your behalf, often without you present. These services typically charge a markup on top of the actual charter cost. Booking directly with the operator — as you would here — eliminates that markup.
In our experience, the two biggest variables in final cost are:
California requires a "Disposition of Cremated Remains" permit for ash scattering at sea. Your funeral home typically handles this as part of the cremation process. If you are working directly with a cremation provider rather than a full-service funeral home, confirm that the permit is included in their service.
The EPA requires that ash scattering take place at least three nautical miles offshore. JADA routinely sails well beyond this. There is no separate permit required for the ocean scattering itself when conducted by a licensed operator — we handle the EPA notification that is required within 30 days of the ceremony.
We handle the EPA post-ceremony notification on your behalf. This is a regulatory requirement that is easy to overlook, and we take care of it as part of our standard service.
Because the final price depends on group size and any specific requests you have, the most direct path is a brief phone conversation. We can give you an exact number in a few minutes.
There is no sales pressure in that call. Most families are making this decision in a difficult time. Our job is to answer your questions and help you plan a ceremony that is right for your family — not to close a transaction.
Call us at (619) 986-7344 or submit your information online and we will reach out at a time that is convenient for you.