Map view
What to expect in Santa Cruz
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 Santa Cruz
Captain license
Not needed when the family scatters
Cremated Remains Disposer (CRD) registration
Inside Santa Cruz waters
Allowed with conditions
Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor; Monterey Bay; Pacific Ocean
Ocean
3+ nautical miles from land
Federal rule. Report to the EPA within 30 days.
The Santa Cruz harbor is too small for the 500-yard rule. Monterey Bay itself, inside the line from Point Santa Cruz to Point Pinos, is inland water under the 1966 decree. State law there means 500+ yards from shore, and the EPA ocean permit may not technically apply. All of these waters are inside the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, whose discharge rule has no listed exception for cremated remains (see open questions). File with Santa Cruz County Vital Statistics.
Full California guide: permits, paperwork and sourcesLast checked October 15, 2026. A summary, not legal advice.
Questions families ask about Santa Cruz
How much does a burial at sea cost in Santa Cruz?
The 2 boats listed in Santa Cruz, CA start at $995, and the highest starting price is $1,565, 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 Santa Cruz?
The largest boat listed in Santa Cruz takes up to 38 guests; each boat's page shows its own limit. Every charter is private, so only your family and friends are aboard.
How far out do boats go for a burial at sea from Santa Cruz?
In the ocean, ashes are scattered at least 3 nautical miles from land under the federal EPA rule, at any depth. From Santa Cruz, boats head out to the Pacific Ocean. 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 Santa Cruz?
California allows scattering in bays and harbors from a boat at least 500 yards from every shoreline, with the same paperwork as at sea. Many harbors are too small to be that far from shore anywhere, so most ceremonies are held outside the breakwater or 3 nautical miles out in the ocean.
What do I need to bring for a burial at sea in California?
The Permit for Disposition of Human Remains. Funeral homes and crematories usually arrange it with the county, and it travels with the ashes. Whoever in the family has the right to decide on the ashes (usually the next of kin) scatters them, or names a family member to do it. 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 Santa Cruz?
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.