We are vetting licensed captains and vessels in Hilton Head now. Tell us your preferred date and we will contact you as soon as a captain is available, or choose a nearby city with boats today.
Nearby on the Southeast & Mid-Atlantic
What to expect in Hilton Head
Your captain meets your group at the dock, takes you to the scattering spot, and gives you time for words, music, flowers or silence. Afterward, the captain records the coordinates of the scattering so your family always knows where it took place. Biodegradable urns and flowers can be ordered from our memorial store and delivered before your service.
Scattering rules in Hilton Head
Captain license
Not required
Inside Hilton Head waters
Not settled
Calibogue Sound, Port Royal Sound, Broad River, ICW (inside waters); Atlantic Ocean off Hilton Head
Ocean
3+ nautical miles from land
Federal rule. Report to the EPA within 30 days.
Sounds are inside waters with no clear state rule. From Harbour Town or Broad Creek, boats go out Calibogue Sound or Port Royal Sound and then 3 nm beyond land; the Port Royal Sound entrance shoals extend far offshore, so measure carefully on the chart. Up the Broad River near Beaufort: Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island danger zones and Beaufort restricted areas (33 CFR 334.475, 334.480). Beaufort County Coroner issues cremation permits.
Full South Carolina guide: permits, paperwork and sourcesLast checked October 15, 2026. A summary, not legal advice.
Questions families ask about Hilton Head
Are there burial at sea boats in Hilton Head?
We are vetting licensed, insured captains in Hilton Head, SC now. Tell us your preferred date through the contact page and we will reach out as soon as a captain is available, or choose a nearby city with boats today.
How far out do boats go for a burial at sea from Hilton Head?
In the ocean, ashes are scattered at least 3 nautical miles from land under the federal EPA rule, at any depth. From Hilton Head, boats head out to the Atlantic Ocean off Hilton Head. No permit is needed in advance; the captain reports the scattering to the EPA within 30 days.
Can ashes be scattered in the bay or harbor at Hilton Head?
Bays, harbors and rivers are inside waters, so the federal ocean rule does not cover them, and South Carolina has no clear rule for scattering there. That is why captains hold the ceremony out in the open ocean, where the rule is clear.
What do I need to bring for a burial at sea in South Carolina?
The ashes and the cremation authorization from your funeral home. Your captain will confirm anything else they need before the day.
What can we put in the water with the ashes?
Only things that break down naturally: the ashes, loose flowers or petals, and a biodegradable water urn if you would like one. No plastic, balloons, wreath frames or glass. Biodegradable urns and flowers can be ordered from our memorial store before your service.
How do I book a burial at sea in Hilton Head?
Contact us with your preferred date and group size and we will let you know as soon as a captain in Hilton Head is available. Nearby cities with boats are listed above.