Water & Ash markWater & Ash Burials

A private voyage on open water

Ash scattering, at the coordinates that matter.

A private voyage out of San Diego or Oceanside to return cremated remains to the Pacific — no funeral home required, no unnecessary steps between you and the sea.

No funeral home requiredUSCG-licensedSame-week scheduling available
i.

What it is

The simplest path back to the sea — and the most common one we run.

Scattering cremated remains at sea is the most requested service we offer. It requires no funeral home involvement, no advance embalming, and far less lead time than a full-body burial. You can bring the ashes directly to us.

Our scattering sites sit about 500 yards offshore — close enough to keep the coastline in view, a voyage of 30 to 45 minutes. We handle the planning, the timing, and the coordinates. What we cannot handle for you — and would not want to — is the moment itself. That belongs to your family.

A Water & Ash facilitator is aboard every voyage. They hold the space — readings, music, pacing, flowers — while the captain holds station.

How the ashes enter the water

  • i.Scatter from the vesselAshes released directly over open water by the family, with flower petals if you choose. The most direct and personal option.
  • ii.Biodegradable urn releaseA water-soluble urn placed on the surface, which floats briefly before dissolving. A gentler visual for families who find direct scattering difficult.
Flower petals and ashes drifting on the green Pacific alongside the hull.
Scatter from the vessel
A white water-soluble urn wreathed in plumeria and magnolia, prepared on deck.
Biodegradable urn release
ii.

The day itself

Most ash scattering voyages run about three hours, dock to dock.

There is no script and no clock. If the family needs more time at the site, we stay. The voyage ends when you are ready to go back.

00:00 · Dockside

Arrival

We meet you at the slip. There is no staging, no formality — just a walkthrough of the boat and what the next few hours will look like.

00:20 · Departure

Out of harbor

The vessel idles through the channel. The city recedes. Families often go quiet here — we let that happen.

00:50 · On station

The ceremony

Engines to idle. The facilitator holds the space — readings, music, words from the family, or none at all. You set the pace.

01:15 · The scattering

The release

Ashes returned to the water. Petals follow, if you brought them. We record the GPS coordinates and mark the moment.

03:00 · Return

Back to dock

A slow return. Most families stand at the stern watching the water. We do not rush that.

iii.

Choose your approach

Four ways to take part.

From sending the ashes by mail to sailing out and scattering them yourself — four levels of taking part, each held with the same care. Every price is a flat starting number; we confirm it before you commit to anything.

From anywhere

Mail-in

Send the ashes to us

We mail you a container. You return it with your person's ashes, and the captain scatters them at sea on your behalf — then sends you the coordinates and a certificate. For families who can't travel to San Diego.

By mailFrom anywhere
No travelNothing to attend
CoordinatesSent to you
CertificateOf scattering
Starting from$500
Begin a conversation →
No voyage

Unattended

We scatter without you aboard

You bring the ashes to us, or arrange a local hand-off. The captain carries out the scattering privately and returns with the coordinates and a certificate — a quiet path when a voyage isn't right for your family.

You hand offThe ashes to us
PrivateCaptain scatters
CoordinatesSent to you
CertificateOf scattering
Starting from$700
Begin a conversation →
Watch from land

View from shore

Witness from the shoreline

The captain takes your person out while your family watches from an agreed point on shore. You see the voyage reach the scattering site without stepping aboard — gentler for those who'd rather stay on land.

From shoreYour family watches
The voyageSeen from land
CoordinatesSent to you
CertificateOf scattering
Starting from$800
Begin a conversation →
Most personal

Aboard

Come aboard for the scattering

Your family sails out and returns your person to the water yourselves, with the facilitator holding the moment. Flower petals are included; you may also choose a biodegradable urn that floats briefly before dissolving.

~ 3 hrsDock to dock
4–12 guestsAboard the vessel
500 yardsOffshore
Flowers / urnIncluded / optional
Priced by party size$800 – $2,000
Begin a conversation →
iv.

What's included

Everything you need for the day — and the things you didn't know to ask for.

i.

USCG-licensed captain

The same captain who owns the vessel runs your voyage. No subcontractors, no strangers at the helm.

ii.

Water & Ash facilitator

Aboard every voyage. Their only job is your family — readings, music, pacing, and the quiet moments.

iii.

Insured vessel

Fully insured, USCG-inspected, and equipped for open ocean in any season.

iv.

Biodegradable urn

A water-soluble urn on request — placed on the surface to float briefly, then dissolve. Yours to choose or skip.

v.

GPS coordinates

The exact latitude and longitude of the scattering site, provided in a printed certificate for the family.

vi.

Flowers & petals

Loose petals or a small wreath, depending on what you ask for. Brought aboard before you arrive.

vii.

Permit assistance

Bringing ashes from another state? We help coordinate the transit paperwork so you don't have to figure it out alone.

viii.

Optional photography

A discreet photographer can be added on request. We do not photograph the scattering itself unless you ask.

ix.

Aftercare

A call the following week, and a card on the anniversary. We stay in touch because we want to, not because we need to.

A blue and silver urn set with an orchid lei, prepared ahead of a scattering voyage.
An urn prepared for scattering
v.

Common questions

What families ask us most.

Do we need to go through a funeral home first?

No. For ash scattering, you can come to us directly. You will need a death certificate and a permit to transport remains if bringing ashes across state lines, but there is no requirement to involve a funeral home. If you already have a funeral home handling other arrangements, we coordinate with them seamlessly.

Can we bring our person's ashes ourselves?

Yes. Most families bring the ashes in the original container from the crematorium, or in a personal urn. We will transfer them to the water together at the scattering point. If you prefer, we can also provide a biodegradable urn.

How quickly can we schedule a voyage?

For ash scattering, we can often arrange a voyage within a few days, sometimes sooner. If circumstances are urgent, call us directly — we will do everything we can to make it work on your timeline.

What can we bring aboard?

Flowers, personal items, photographs, instruments, music. We ask that anything released into the water be biodegradable — petals, seaweed, paper. No plastics, no synthetic materials. We will walk you through this before the voyage.

Can we scatter at a specific location?

Yes. If your person had a place — a favorite stretch of coastline, a set of coordinates they mentioned — tell us, and we will do our best to put you there. Our scattering sites are usually around 500 yards offshore, and the voyage runs 30 to 45 minutes.

What do we receive afterward?

A printed certificate with the GPS coordinates of the scattering site, and a follow-up call from us the following week. The coordinates are yours to keep — some families mark them on a chart.

Read all questions

Begin when you are ready

There is no right way to start. Just start.

Call us or send a note. We will listen first, and only then suggest a date and a vessel.

Call · (619) 928-9160Send a message