License#: CRD 1135
A burial at sea is a personal decision, and most families have never planned one before. Below are the questions we hear most often. If yours is not answered here, reach out and our crew will be happy to walk you through it. There is no pressure and no obligation.
Yes. Burial at sea is federally regulated by the EPA under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. Both full-body and cremated remains are permitted in U.S. waters when performed the required distance from shore. Beyond the Sea Memorial Services holds California Cremated Remains Disposer License #1135. If you are working with a California funeral home, they will provide the VS-9 Application and Permit for Disposition of Human Remains. If you are coming from out of state, we can handle all required permits and reporting on your behalf for a fee.
No. The required permits are held by us. We file all disposition paperwork after the service so the state record is complete, and you receive a copy for your own records.
California law sets a minimum distance of 500 yards from shore for scattering cremated remains at sea. Federal law is stricter and requires at least three nautical miles from shore, and that is the standard we follow for every service. We travel out to that distance from Long Beach Harbor on our boat, Something Special, a 58-foot Hatteras built for comfort in open water.
Pricing depends on the type of service, the size of your group, and any personal touches you want to add. Because every family’s wishes are different, we provide a clear, all-in quote by phone. No hidden fees and no upsells.
What affects the price:
Most consultations take less than 10 minutes. We’ll walk you through your options and give you a quote on the spot. No pressure, no commitment.
Call for a free quote: 1-800-981-2628
Or text: 310-923-8414
All trips depart from Long Beach, Rainbow Harbor.
An attended service means your family joins Capt. Tony and the crew aboard the boat for the ceremony. An unattended service means we perform the scattering on your behalf and send you a certificate with the GPS coordinates. Many families also choose a viewing-from-shore option, watching from land while we perform the ceremony just offshore.
Our Unattended Memorial Service is built for this. You ship or deliver the ashes to us, we conduct the scattering at sea, and we send you a certificate with the GPS coordinates afterward. We handle every detail.
Yes. Our Viewing from Shore service is for families who prefer to remain on land. We take the ashes out on the boat and conduct the scattering at a planned time while you watch from a designated coastal viewpoint. We work with each family to choose a meeting point along the coast that is convenient and meaningful.
Yes. We offer the same dignified service for beloved pets. Pet scatterings follow the same federal guidelines and can be attended, unattended, or viewed from shore. The voyage, scattering, flowers, and coordinates certificate are all included.
Yes. Every family receives a certificate with the exact GPS coordinates of the ceremony. You can return any time, either on your own or through our Revisiting the Burial Location service. We take you back to the same spot for an anniversary, birthday, or whenever feels right.
Yes. Catalina Island services are available Monday through Thursday and run approximately seven hours round trip. Some families choose a one-way trip to Catalina and fly home from the island. Catalina trips are limited to 14 passengers due to the longer voyage. Call us to plan a Catalina service.
Every attended ceremony includes:
Our standard service is one hour from departure to return: about 20 minutes to reach the location, 20 minutes on site to complete the scattering, and 20 minutes back. Most families find this is the right amount of time. Longer trips to specific destinations are available for an additional rate. Our boat travels up and down the Southern California coast, generally within four hours of Long Beach Harbor in either direction. Tell us where you want to go and we will work with you to make it happen.
Our boat is licensed for up to 24 passengers on open-ocean services and up to 34 passengers in protected waters. Catalina trips are limited to 14 passengers due to the longer voyage. Many local boat memorial services cap groups at six or 12 passengers. Tell us your group size when you call and we will confirm the right option for your service.
We have ramps the full length of the dock, but boarding the vessel itself involves a few steps. Our crew is glad to help elderly or mobility-limited guests board safely. If you’re planning around a wheelchair or walker, mention it when you call so we can talk through what to expect and make sure everyone in your group can be part of the service comfortably.
Most guests do not. Our standard one-hour route stays within protected waters off Long Beach, where conditions are calm most days. Our captains have decades of experience reading the water and choosing the smoothest route for each trip. If anyone in your group is prone to motion sickness, an over-the-counter remedy like Dramamine taken before boarding can help. Some remedies work best taken the night before, so check the package instructions and ask a physician if you’re unsure.
We meet at 200 Aquarium Way Dock 1, Long Beach CA 90802. Two parking options are nearby:
Once your service is booked, we send detailed directions and parking guidance.
Safety comes first. If conditions are unsafe, we reschedule at no extra cost. We make the call based on the forecasted weather and our own experience on these waters. Southern California weather is mild most of the year, so cancellations are rare.
Yes. You are welcome to bring anything that makes the service personal. Religious leaders, music, photos, prayer cards, and meaningful items are all welcome on board. Some families choose to release a biodegradable urn at the burial site, while others scatter ashes directly with rose petals so they can watch the ashes diffuse into the water. Our crew can walk you through both options on the call.
Both. Since 2007, we have served families of every faith and tradition, including the Buddhist and Cambodian communities of Southern California. Some families bring a pastor, priest, rabbi, or monk. Others read poems, share stories, or simply hold a quiet moment. The service is yours to shape.
We do our best to accommodate families on short notice, including same-week scheduling when possible. For specific dates, weekend services, or larger groups, we recommend booking as soon as you’re ready, especially if guests need to arrange flights or time off work. We’re available seven days a week, sunrise to sunset.
Ready to plan a service, or just want to ask a few more questions? Our crew will always call or text you back. You will never speak to an answering service. There is no pressure and no obligation. Since 2007, we have helped over 10,000 Southern California families say goodbye on the water.