Departure Cities

Q: How are the cremains (ashes) dispersed from the boat into the ocean?
Q: Are services available on weekends?
Q: Are special services available for veterans?
Q: Are there any hidden additional costs?
Q: Can you accommodate special requests for scattering?
Q: Do I have to make a reservation?
Q: Can we set an appointment for the scattering service?
Q: Do you have restrooms on board?
Q: Do you scatter pet cremains?
Q: For families on a tight budget, what do you offer?
Q: How can I contact a veteran’s organization to provide color guard, taps, salute, etc., for a veteran’s burial at sea?
Q: How common is aerial scattering?
Q: How do I know I can trust you?
Q: How far do we go offshore?
Q: How fast do the boats go?
Q: How is payment made and when?
Q: How large is the boat, and how many people can go along?
Q: How long is the cruise?
Q: How will I know when and where the unattended scattering took place?
Q: How will I know where dispersal took place?
Q: I’ve had the cremated remains for some time. What can I do now?
Q: Is sending the cremains by US Postal Service a proven and reliable method?
Q: Is the cruise safe for children?
Q: Is there room to walk around the boat?
Q: Is there seating for everyone?
Q: What about payment?
Q: What about providing flowers?
Q: What are the locations available for scattering at sea?
Q: What if I want to talk to you personally?
Q: What is the aerial scattering procedure?
Q: What is the cost for Aerial Services?
Q: What kind of documents do you need to scatter the cremains?
Q: What kind of official documents do you need to scatter ashes?
Q: What questions should I ask a burial at sea company?
Q: What type of clothing/shoes/hat/glasses should we wear?
Q: Where can I get information on cremation?
Q: Why do people scatter ashes at sea?
Q: Why do you use a post office for the shipping destination of cremated remains?
Q: Will I get sea sick?
Q: Would our family and guests be the only ones on the boat at the time of scattering?
Q: Can I visit the scattering site later?

How are the cremains (ashes) dispersed from the boat into the ocean?
The cremains are transferred from the urn (container) you bring them in, to a medium-sized wicker basket lined with biodegradable paper. The cremains are then covered with flower petals. (Customarily, some of the flowers brought by the attendees.) The basket is lowered by the Captain, with voluntary assistance from family members, into the ocean. The cremains sink, and the flowers float to provide marker of interment. This procedure prevents “blow-back” of the ashes back aboard the boat and guests. Family and friends can participate in “lowering the cremains to the deep” by assisting in letting go of the rope.

Are services available on weekends?
Yes. Weekends are the most convenient time for most people to gather together for the burial at sea ceremony. Services are also available at other times for the convenience and desires of the survivors.

Are special services available for veterans?
The V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) performs sea burial honors for veterans and their families. We have a page on our site that further describes veterans services.

Are there any hidden additional costs?
No, unless you desire some special service not usually included in our procedures, there are no hidden charges. Desired special services can be discussed separately and usually accommodated at a minimal additional fee.

Can you accommodate special requests for scattering?
Yes, we will attempt to satisfy any special requests provided they are not in violation of governing state or federal statutes.

Do I have to make a reservation?
Yes. Although we are available daily, we would prefer to have you contact us to set up the time and date for the sea scattering. You can give our phone number to others who you feel might attend . . . to receive directions, parking, etc.

Can we set an appointment for the scattering service?
Yes. Appointments are usually made to gather attendees at the landing for subsequent departure. Usually arriving 15 minutes before scheduled departure is sufficient.

Do you have restrooms on board?
Yes.

Do you scatter pet cremains?
Yes, usually when we are scattering other cremains. Pet scattering is $200.

For families on a tight budget, what do you offer?
The high cost of dying keeps going up. For budget-conscious families, we offer “unattended scattering” service. We receive the cremains by mail from you, conduct the dispersal and send you the Certificate of Scattering with the exact Global Positioning System coordinates of scattering. All-inclusive cost is $295.

How can I contact a veteran’s organization to provide color guard, taps, salute, etc., for a veteran’s burial at sea?
We have the name and phone number to contact for the military honor guard provided by the V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars). There is no charge for this service by the honor guard, however, a donation to cover their personal expenses is appropriate.

How common is aerial scattering?
Because of the high costs associated with conventional funerals and cemetery burial, cremated remains scattering has grown dramatically over the last few years.
Aerial scattering is an affordable option available for final disposition.

How do I know I can trust you?
We have been scattering ashes at sea for over 20 years without incident. We provide service to many Western United States mortuaries. We can provide references upon request.

How far do we go offshore?
State and Federal laws restrict where ash dispersals are not allowed. The “three-mile limit” is our guideline. Therefore, all ash dispersals will be done beyond the “three-mile limit” offshore. It usually takes about 20 minutes to reach that area.

How fast do the boats go?
Approximately 12 knots (13 miles per hour).

How is payment made and when?
Payment is by personal check, money order or cashier’s check. We do not take credit cards and discourage sending cash.

How large is the boat, and how many people can go along?
Our boats are 65 feet long, ocean-going, very stable, twin-engines, seating for all, and can comfortably accommodate up to 149 passengers. They are inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Guard for safety and sea worthiness.

How long is the cruise?
Usually 1 to 1 ½ hours, depending on the “service to be conducted” arrangements made prior to departure.

How will I know when and where the unattended scattering took place?
It is our policy to scatter remains as soon as possible after receipt, usually within the week. You will receive a memorial certificate indicating the date and exact location of scattering.

How will I know where dispersal took place?
We will provide you the exact Global Positioning Coordinates where the deceased was interred. You can “revisit” the exact site if you wish. We offer a revisit service for $695.

I’ve had the cremated remains for some time. What can I do now?
Many people choose to keep the cremated remains of a loved one at home for a while (maybe even years) before feeling the need to make a decision about their ultimate placement. This is very common. Call us for assistance.

Is sending the cremains by US Postal Service a proven and reliable method?
Yes, it’s been proven to be the best, fastest, and most reliable method. Some other delivery providers will not accept cremains due to liability restrictions.
[ click here for mailing instructions ]

Is the cruise safe for children?
Yes, high railings around the boat, and non-skid decks help keep children safe. All children under 90 pounds are provided with life vests for the trip.

Is there room to walk around the boat?
Yes, all 65 feet of rail and deck is available to passengers.

Is there seating for everyone?
Yes.

What about payment?
Payment by personal check, money order or cashier's check will be expected when reservation is made. Mail to:
Pacific Coast Ashes at Sea
89 Rio Vista
Solvang CA, 93463

What about providing flowers?
Family and friends customarily bring “cut flowers” for tossing into the ocean immediately after the cremains are lowered. Wreaths are also sometimes used, but the wreath must be completely biodegradable. Styrofoam wreaths are not approved for placing in the ocean.

What are the locations available for scattering at sea?
Our primary scattering area is off the coast of Southern California. Our company also provides scattering services along the coastlines of the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. Moderate additional charges apply to out-of-California scatterings. Through our affiliate relationships, we can arrange for scatterings along the East Coast, Florida, and the Gulf Coast.

What if I want to talk to you personally?
Call me, Captain Gene Meister, toll-free at 888-908-8800. I’ll be glad to talk to you.

What is the aerial scattering procedure?
After we receive the urn containing the cremains, we schedule the dispersal flight as soon as possible. Usually, the next day, weather permitting. We fly to the approved dispersal location, complete the dispersal, record the coordinates, and return.

What is the cost for Aerial Services?
The total, all-inclusive, cost is $795.

What kind of documents do you need to scatter the cremains?
The Authorization for Scattering Cremains form can be downloaded from Details and sent with the cremains when you send them to us for disposition.

What kind of official documents do you need to scatter ashes?
We need a death certificate from the County Health Department from the county of death, and a burial permit from the County Vital Statistics Office at the place of disposition, which in this case would probably be Los Angeles or Santa Barbara County.

What questions should I ask a burial at sea company?
- Is the boat selected for your group Coast Guard certified to safely carry the number of people in your party?
- Does the company carry insurance?
- Will the burial be performed within 30 days?
- Are those involved in burial at sea licensed U.S. Coast Guard Masters?
- Are all your questions answered to your satisfaction?
Pacific Coast Ashes at Sea has met these requirements for 20 years. In these times when personal service is often difficult to find, we trust you will find our service to your satisfaction.

What type of clothing/shoes/hat/glasses should we wear?
Wear warm clothes, preferable wind-proof, non-skid shoes, a head cover and sunglasses.

Where can I get information on cremation?
Your best source is your local funeral director. He has all the information you need to make an appropriate decision about cremation and scattering of ashes. His experience can guide you throughout the entire process.

Why do people scatter ashes at sea?
The reasons vary from person to person and family to family. Generally, people select scattering of ashes at sea because they want to return to nature what nature created.

Why do you use a post office for the shipping destination of cremated remains?
Most cremated remains are shipped to us via registered mail. The use of United States Postal Service’s registered mail is by far the most secure form of transportation. The shipment is protected by the United States Government. It is only proper that every precaution is taken to protect this transportation of human remains. The transportation of them at a guarded government facility assures they are safe, and protected.

Will I get sea sick?
If you are concerned about becoming sea sick, we recommend considering taking a dose of anti-motion sickness medication as the waves do cause a little bit of rocking.

Would our family and guests be the only ones on the boat at the time of scattering?
The boat is exclusivly yours for the cruise and memorial service. Family and friends may conduct whatever type of memorial service they wish, and the Captain will perform the scattering ceremony.

Can I visit the scattering site later?
Yes, knowing the exact coordinates of the scattering site, we can take you to that spot for any memorial you have in mind. The cost of this special re-visit service is $695 and can accommodate up to 150 people.