QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS...

1. What type of Casket is required?
   Any standard metal or hardwood casket is suitable.  Maritime Burials will not accept a particle board or pressboard constructed casket.
    

2. How is the Casket Prepared?
   All preparation of the casket for sea burial will be performed by Maritime Burials staff at a local funeral home; generally on the night prior to burial.  The body will be respectfully covered by a sheet during this preparation.  The casket will be drilled with 20 2” holes and ballasted with weight at the foot.  Aside from the pillow and mattress, all accessible interior material/panels will be removed and the casket will be closed and banded (with 4 horizontal and one vertical).  From this point the casket will remain covered all the way through the burial process.
    

3. How does the burial/deployment take place?
   Our boat "Affirmation", is uniquely equipped and crewed with 3 operators for a dignified deployment.  The covered casket rides on a customized marine grade stainless platform.  Upon arrival at the burial location, the casket is attached to rigging and turned (feet first) for deployment.  The platform tilts as the casket is slowly lowered into the water.  Once completely submerged, the vessels bell will ring the “Changing of the Guard” (4, 2 succession rings totaling 8).  After the ringing of the bell, the casket is released and allowed to descend free from the cover and permanently to the ocean floor.
    

4. Where will the burial take place?
   The requirements for full body (non-cremated) burial at sea must take place in approved Federal Waters (at least 3 miles off shore) at 600 ft. (100 fathoms) depth or more.  Maritime Burials provides burial at, or adjacent to the only charted Marine Cemetery in the world.  This cemetery is located approximately 7 nautical miles off shore due south of San Pedro/Palos Verdes Peninsula with depths of 800 to 1,200 ft.
    

5. Can burial be attended by family or group for a memorial service?
   Yes.  However, Maritime Burials boat “Affirmation” acts as the hearse and is specifically equipped and crewed for deployment only.  Attended services require a separate charter boat to accompany and observe the burial.  Most common charter boats are licensed for six passengers.  Larger boats can be chartered for your particular needs.  We help target your families specific needs by avoiding excessive costs as compared to a one-size-fits-all approach.
    

6. What is the progression of an attended service?
   Departure from Long Beach, generally takes place at 9:00am (sea conditions are generally better in the morning).  The charter boat (family boat) will follow “Affirmation” to the burial location.  Once there, the boats will align toward the waves with the family boat looking on.  The casket will be readied for deployment with at which time crew members stand at attention for dedication or service.  Upon the conclusion of a reading or service on the family boat, deployment will commence along with the ringing of the bell “Changing of the Guard”.  At this time, flowers will be tossed on the water marking the exact spot of interment and the family boat will move in close to allow attendees to toss additional flowers or wreaths.  The family boat will circle the floating flowers as a farewell and then return to shore.  The total voyage generally takes 3 hours.
    

7. What happens if the weather or sea conditions are bad?
   It is rare that arrangements for burial cannot be scheduled for forecasted good weather.  However, weather permitting, burial will take place even if an accompanying charter boat captain decides to postpone or turn back due to ruff seas or passenger request due to sea sickness.  In this case, the family boat can still go to the exact burial coordinates for ceremonial purposes at a later date.  Charters for burial accompaniment will be accommodated as much as possible, but cannot be guaranteed by Maritime Burials or your funeral provider.
    

8. Aside from attending burial at sea, what are some other options?
   Some families prefer not to attend the burial and observe final closure with a traditional service at the funeral home chapel or at their place of worship.  We highly recommend a shore side, vista point gathering at Point Fermin Lighthouse, White Point State Park or the park grounds at the Korean Bell of Friendship.  All these locations are public parks located along the south facing beach and bluffs in San Pedro, CA.  These locations provide serene, breathtaking panoramic south facing ocean views overlooking the burial location.  We can coordinate the burial deployment to coincide with a shore side service/gathering.