A licence may be obtained from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). There are, on average, less that 50 burials at sea a year*(excluding naval burials), and only at approved locations
- Near Newhaven, Sussex
- The Needles Spoil Ground, to the west of the Isle of Wight
- In the Tynemouth off the Northumberland coast
DEFRA does not encourage burial at sea for obvious reasons.
To avoid risks to the environment or distress to families DEFRA recommends the scattering of cremation ashes at sea, which can be undertaken without a Food & Environment Protection Act (FEPA) licence.
There are businesses and charities that provide the burial service, including The Maritime Volunteer Service - the Bexhill unit providing a small number of interments each year
In order to find out further general details about sea burial, rather than Naval, you will need to contact The Marine Consents Environmental Unit.
* - information sourced from The Natural Death Centre
Burial at sea is recognised, not only within the sailing community, but, considering Great Britain's naval history, as a tradition that permeates all communities. This tradition however, has to be balanced against a number of concerns, including our obligation to protect the marine environment.. So, having decided that you wish to arrange a burial at sea, you need to
The Navy conducts it's own burials at sea, for those veterans who wished to be buried at sea. To organise this, or to find out more, you will need to contact the Base Chaplain, via the place from which the deceased served.