Burial at Sea in Massachusetts

From Boston Harbor’s historic waters to the outer beaches of Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts is where America’s seafaring story began. A burial at sea here joins four centuries of New England maritime tradition.

Sea Services has arranged burials at sea and ash scatterings in Massachusetts since 1991. Every service is performed by U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captains in full compliance with EPA regulations, a minimum of three nautical miles from shore, aboard Coast Guard–approved vessels.

Our Massachusetts departure points:

• Boston Harbor
• Boston Seaport
• Winthrop
• Gloucester
• Salem
• Newburyport
• Plymouth
• Falmouth
• Chatham
• Provincetown
• Nantucket
• Martha’s Vineyard

Families who wish to be aboard can plan a private memorial charter from any of these ports — most last 1.5 to 2 hours dock to dock. If your family cannot attend, our Captain’s Service performs a dignified, fully documented unattended scattering, available year-round.

To plan a burial at sea anywhere in Massachusetts, call 1-888-404-9880. We’ll help you choose the right port, vessel, and time of day for your family.