Martha's Vineyard
From the gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluffs to the cliffs of Aquinnah, Martha’s Vineyard holds a lifetime of summers for the families who love it. A farewell in the waters around the Vineyard keeps a loved one close to the island forever.
Sea Services has arranged burials at sea and ash scatterings from Martha’s Vineyard since 1991. Our U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captains perform every service in full compliance with EPA regulations, a minimum of three nautical miles from shore.
Families who wish to be aboard can plan a private memorial charter — most last 1.5 to 2 hours dock to dock, with quiet time at sea for the ceremony. If your family cannot attend, our Captain’s Service performs a dignified, fully documented unattended scattering, available year-round. Expedited services within 24–48 hours are available for religious timelines, including Hindu ash-scattering traditions.
To plan a burial at sea from Martha’s Vineyard, call 1-888-404-9880. We’ll help you choose the right vessel and time of day for your family.
Families on the islands also depart from Nantucket and Falmouth.
Explore all burial at sea locations in Massachusetts.
The Service:
Compassionate, Seamless Burial at Sea Services Nationwide
At Sea Services, we partner with carefully vetted captains and crew across the United States to ensure your memorial experience is smooth, respectful, and deeply meaningful. Honor your loved one with a dignified sea burial. We offer compassionate, coast-to-coast services for scattering ashes at sea. With experienced captains and certified vessels, we ensure your loved one’s ashes are scattered at sea with care, legality, and respect.
Our Burial at Sea and Ash Scattering Services include a beautifully crafted biodegradable urn adorned with freeze-dried flowers, along with a personalized memorial certificate mailed to you after the ceremony. Every service is conducted in full compliance with EPA regulations and aboard U.S. Coast Guard-approved vessels, ensuring safety and professionalism at every step.
What to Expect During Your Memorial Charter
Each charter lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, dock to dock. The journey includes:
- 30–45 minutes traveling out to sea
- 30 minutes at a serene location for the ceremony
- 30–45 minutes returning to harbor
Sea Services™ provides professional burial at sea services across the United States. Whether you’re looking for charter boats for scattering ashes, or a peaceful setting to lay your loved one to rest, we’re here to help you plan a meaningful sea burial with dignity.
During your time on the water, you’ll have the space and time to reflect, pray, share stories, and release ashes in a peaceful and private setting. Our experienced captains can help guide the ceremony or offer support as needed, ensuring a respectful and memorable farewell.
Points of Interest:
Aquinnah (Gay Head) Cliffs & Lighthouse The dramatic, multicolored clay bluffs at Aquinnah are a National Natural Landmark. Rising nearly 100 feet above the Atlantic, the cliffs offer breathtaking views and are flanked by the iconic red-brick Aquinnah Lighthouse and adjacent scenic headland trails—perfect for a photo-rich stop
Edgartown Harbor Lighthouse Originally built in 1828 and rebuilt in 1939, this historic cast-iron becon sits on a sandy causeway at the harbor entrance. Accessible by foot (weather permitting), the area offers a peaceful beach to stroll, boat-watch, and enjoy spectacular sunsets
