State of California

Burial at sea

    The law allows for burial at sea of cremated remains by boat or plane and that must be performed at a minimum of 500 yards off the coast shoreline. 

• "At sea" includes inland navigable waters, but excludes lakes and streams.

• Scattering cremated remains from a bridge or pier is prohibited. 

• Cremated remains must be removed from any type of durable container or urn and must be freely scattered.  (Not in any kind of urn or durable package)

Scattering or Placing on Public or Private Property

    Cremated remains may be scattered or placed on public or private property
provided that:

• There is no local prohibition

• The cremated remains are not distinguishable to the public and not in a container

• The person with the control over the disposition has written permission of the
  property owner or governing agency

(*When the final disposition has taken place, the first copy of the cremation permit must be filed with the local registrar of death of the county of disposition within 10 days of disposition. 

The third copy shall be returned to the registrars office of issuance)

Cremated Remains at Home

• Cremated remains may be kept at home if the cremated remains are in a durable container.

Federal Law

Burial at sea

• The United States Environmental Protection Agency requires the burial of cremated remains at sea occur at least 3 nautical miles from land and that each burial of cremated remains be reported to:

  • United States Environmental Protection Agency - Region IX
    Attention: Regional Ocean Dumping Coordinator
    75 Hawthorne Street
    San Francisco, CA 94105
    Telephone:  (415) 774-2125