Losing someone you love is one of the hardest experiences life brings. When the time comes to plan a memorial, many Florida families are discovering that a cremation memorial service at sea offers something no funeral home or cemetery can — the open ocean, the sound of waves, the warmth of the Florida sun, and a farewell as vast and timeless as the love you shared.
This guide covers everything you need to know about cremation memorial services in Florida, including what they involve, how to plan one, what they cost, and why Ashes at Sea Florida is the most trusted provider serving Central and East Florida.
What Is a Cremation Memorial Service?
A cremation memorial service is a ceremony held after a loved one has been cremated. Unlike a traditional burial, cremation gives families flexibility in how and where they choose to memorialize their loved one. Options include a graveside service, a celebration of life at home, a church memorial, or — increasingly popular in Florida — a burial at sea, also called an ash scattering ceremony or ocean memorial service.
A cremation memorial service at sea combines the intimacy of a private ceremony with the majesty of the Atlantic Ocean. Captain Brad of Ashes at Sea Florida has guided hundreds of grieving families through this experience with compassion, professionalism, and genuine care.
Burial at Sea vs. Traditional Cremation Memorial — What's the Difference?
A traditional cremation memorial service typically takes place at a funeral home, church, or family home. The cremated remains (ashes) are placed in an urn and may be kept, buried in a cemetery, or scattered at a later date. A burial at sea cremation memorial is different — the ashes are scattered directly into the Atlantic Ocean, at least 3 nautical miles offshore, in full compliance with EPA regulations and Florida state law. The ocean becomes the final resting place. Many families find this deeply healing: the ashes return to nature, the ceremony is personal and private, and the exact GPS coordinates are recorded so the family always knows where their loved one rests.
Is a Cremation Burial at Sea Legal in Florida?
Yes — scattering cremated remains at sea is completely legal in Florida. Under the EPA Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act, ashes may be scattered at sea as long as the ceremony takes place at least 3 nautical miles from shore. Ashes at Sea Florida is fully EPA-compliant. Captain Brad handles all required documentation and reporting on your behalf, so your family can focus entirely on the ceremony and each other.
What Happens During a Cremation Memorial Service at Sea?
Here is what to expect when you book an attended cremation memorial service with Ashes at Sea Florida. Families meet Captain Brad at our departure point at 2455 Boat Ramp Drive, New Smyrna Beach, FL — we recommend arriving 15 minutes early. The boat departs through the Indian River Lagoon and Ponce Inlet, heading 3 or more nautical miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Once offshore, Captain Brad brings the vessel to a respectful stop. The family gathers at the stern of the boat. You may say words, read a poem or prayer, play music through our Bluetooth stereo, and scatter biodegradable flowers and rose petals alongside the ashes. Captain Brad records the exact GPS coordinates (latitude and longitude) of the ceremony location. After the ceremony, the boat returns to the marina. Within a few days, Captain Brad provides a commemorative nautical certificate with your loved one's name, the date and time of the ceremony, and the GPS coordinates — a keepsake your family will treasure forever.
Attended vs. Non-Attended Cremation Memorial Service
Ashes at Sea Florida offers two service options to fit every family's needs. Our attended cremation memorial service ($550 for up to 3 guests, $50 per additional guest, up to 6 total) allows family members and close friends to be present on the boat for the full ceremony. This is the most popular option for families who want to say a personal goodbye together. Our non-attended cremation memorial service ($425) is performed privately by Captain Brad on your behalf. This is ideal for families who live out of state, prefer a simpler farewell, or are working within a tighter budget. Captain Brad provides GPS coordinates and photos for both service types.
How Much Does a Cremation Memorial Service at Sea Cost in Florida?
Ashes at Sea Florida offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing with no hidden fees. Non-attended burial at sea: $425. Attended burial at sea: $550 for up to 3 guests, $50 per additional guest. A $100 deposit secures your date, with the remaining balance due on the day of the ceremony. We accept Square and PayPal for your convenience. Compared to the average cost of a traditional funeral in Florida — which can exceed $7,000 to $12,000 — a cremation memorial service at sea with Ashes at Sea Florida is not only more meaningful, it is also significantly more affordable.
What to Bring to a Cremation Memorial Service at Sea
For an attended service, families are welcome to bring biodegradable flowers and rose petals to scatter alongside the ashes, a Bluetooth device to play a meaningful song or playlist, photos or a small framed picture of your loved one, a written poem, prayer, or personal words to share, and any biodegradable mementos. Captain Brad asks that all items scattered at sea be biodegradable to protect the marine environment. Non-biodegradable items are welcome on the boat but should not be scattered.
Memorial Boxes — A Lasting Keepsake for Your Family
In addition to our cremation memorial services, Ashes at Sea Florida offers handcrafted memorial shadow boxes — a beautiful way to preserve the memory of your loved one's ocean farewell. Each memorial box is custom-made with real Florida beach sand, ocean-themed artwork, your loved one's name and dates, GPS coordinates from the ceremony, and a sealed glass bottle for a small portion of ashes or a birthstone. Available in three sizes: 5×5 ($150), 8×8 ($200), and 8×10 ($250). These make a deeply meaningful sympathy gift for grieving families.
Serving All of Central and East Florida
Ashes at Sea Florida is proud to serve families from across Central and East Florida. Our departure point in New Smyrna Beach is approximately 1 hour from downtown Orlando, 25 minutes from Daytona Beach, and within easy driving distance of Kissimmee, Melbourne, Palm Coast, Ormond Beach, Port Orange, Edgewater, Titusville, Cocoa Beach, Sanford, Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs, DeLand, Deltona, Clermont, Leesburg, Ocala, Gainesville, St. Cloud, and all of Volusia, Brevard, Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Flagler, and Lake counties.
How to Book a Cremation Memorial Service at Sea in Florida
Booking with Ashes at Sea Florida is simple and straightforward. Visit ashes-at-sea-florida.com/booking to select your preferred date and service type and pay a $100 deposit online. Or call Captain Brad directly at (386) 401-9900 — he personally answers every call and is happy to answer any questions, walk you through the process, and help you plan a ceremony that truly honors your loved one. We are available 7 days a week, 7 am to 9 pm. We recommend booking at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance, especially during peak spring and fall seasons. We are honored to serve your family.