Map view
What to expect in Puget Sound
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 Puget Sound
Captain license
Required
Final Disposition of Human Remains Permit (cremated remains disposition permit)
Inside Puget Sound waters
Allowed
Puget Sound (inland waters) from ports such as Seattle, Tacoma, Everett, Edmonds, Gig Harbor, Bremerton
Ocean
3+ nautical miles from land
Federal rule. Report to the EPA within 30 days.
Allowed anywhere on the Sound's public navigable waters (WAC 308-47A-020), so no 3 nm run is needed. Avoid Navy restricted areas and security zones (Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton and Bangor, Everett naval station), ferry lanes and terminals, and Coast Guard security zones. The disposition permit is statewide. The registrar depends on the county where death occurred, and the funeral home handles it.
Full Washington guide: permits, paperwork and sourcesLast checked October 15, 2026. A summary, not legal advice.
Questions families ask about Puget Sound
How much does a burial at sea cost in Puget Sound?
The boat listed in Puget Sound, WA starts at $570 for a private charter. The price depends on the boat, the length of the trip and the size of your group. You send the captain your date and wishes, receive a written offer, and pay only if you accept it; an 11.5% booking fee is added at checkout.
How many guests can come on a memorial cruise in Puget Sound?
The boat listed in Puget Sound takes up to 6 guests. Every charter is private, so only your family and friends are aboard.
Where are ashes scattered from Puget Sound?
On Puget Sound itself: Washington allows scattering on the Sound's public waters with no set distance from shore, so there is no long run out to the ocean. Ceremonies in the Pacific Ocean follow the federal rule of at least 3 nautical miles from land.
What do I need to bring for a burial at sea in Washington?
Your written OK for the captain to scatter, with your wishes for where and how. You can write it in your conversation with the captain. If you have it, the cremation paperwork from your funeral home or crematory. 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 Puget Sound?
Choose a boat above and send the captain your preferred date, time and number of guests, along with anything you would like for the ceremony. The captain replies with a written offer, usually within a day. Nothing is charged until you accept it, and if plans change you can ask for a new date first.