Family Guide
What to Bring to a Burial at Sea: A Checklist for Families
Most families have never been to a burial at sea before. There are a few things you need to bring, several things that are already aboard and don't need to be arranged, and a few things worth thinking through in advance. Here is everything in one place.
What You Must Bring
Required items
- The disposition permit — this is the California permit specifically for cremated remains, not the death certificate. Your funeral home should have provided it. Item 16A must read "at sea off the coast of San Diego."
- The cremated remains — in a container that will open cleanly at sea. Some decorative urns are difficult to open on a moving boat; if yours is sealed or has a complicated closure, practice opening it at home first or ask the funeral home for a simpler container.
What JADA Provides
You do not need to arrange any of the following — they are aboard as part of the charter:
Included with every ceremony
- USCG-licensed captain and full crew
- Life jackets, first aid kit, and safety equipment
- Chilled water, sodas, ice, cups, and utensils
- Bluetooth speakers (connect your own device)
- GPS certificate of the exact release coordinates, signed by the captain
- EPA filing on your behalf (federal reporting requirement, handled by the crew)
- San Diego County vital records filing for the permit
What to Bring If You Want It
Optional — welcome aboard
- Food and beverages — there is no corkage fee and no minimums. Coolers are welcome. Bring whatever the family would want for the occasion.
- Flowers and wreaths — biodegradable only. No wire stems, no plastic. Individual flowers or full wreaths can be released alongside the ashes. Flowers of Point Loma specializes in memorial florals for water burials.
- Music playlist — the Bluetooth system connects to any phone. Prepare a playlist before you arrive; cellular signal is unreliable several miles offshore.
- A prepared reading or prayer — many families have someone speak. There is no script and no time limit. Bring whatever you have prepared.
- A printed program — if your family does this for land services, you can do it here as well. The crew will give you time and space for whatever you've planned.
- Photographs — some families bring a framed photo of the person to display during the ceremony. This is a matter of personal preference.
- A flag — for military family members who wish to present or fold a flag as part of the ceremony.
What to Wear
There is no dress code. Families come in everything from formal attire to casual clothes. The one consistent piece of advice: bring a layer. San Diego mornings can be in the 70s on shore and 10–15 degrees cooler at sea level several miles out, with wind. Even families who feel warm at the dock are often cold by the time they reach the scattering site.
Soft-soled shoes are preferred on deck — hard heels mark the teak and are harder to walk in on a moving boat. Sandals are fine.
What to Leave Ashore
Leave these at the dock
- Non-biodegradable materials — no plastic, no wire, no synthetic flowers. These cannot go into the ocean.
- Very young children who might be frightened — the boat moves, the engine is loud when underway, and the open ocean can be unsettling for children under 5. This is a matter of judgment for your family.
- Helium balloons — these are common at memorial events but are harmful to marine life and are not permitted offshore.
Arrive 30 Minutes Early
The marina address is: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, 1380 Harbor Island Drive. Enter the Sheraton lobby and walk straight through to the back. Take the stairs down to marina level, then turn right past the firepits. Look for JADA — the crew will be there to meet you.
Parking at the Sheraton is $50 standard rate. The crew provides a voucher that reduces it to $15. Keep the voucher when you arrive and present it when you exit.
If someone in your family gets seasick: Take medication before boarding, not once symptoms start. Over-the-counter options like Dramamine or Bonine work best when taken 1–2 hours before departure. The captain can adjust the route to minimize rolling in rough conditions, but open ocean does move.
Questions Before the Day
If you're uncertain about anything — the permit, the container, whether to bring specific items — call us before the ceremony day. We would rather answer questions in advance than have a family arrive underprepared. (619) 986-7344
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