New York City, New York
Few farewells are as moving as one held in New York Harbor. As your vessel leaves the dock, the Manhattan skyline rises behind you and the Statue of Liberty stands watch as you make your way toward the open Atlantic. For generations of New Yorkers — and for loved ones who always felt the pull of this city — a burial at sea from New York City is a fitting final tribute.
Sea Services has arranged burials at sea and ash scatterings from New York City since 1991. Our U.S. Coast Guard–licensed captains depart from convenient points in Manhattan and the surrounding harbor, and every service is performed in full compliance with EPA regulations, a minimum of three nautical miles from shore.
Families who wish to be aboard can plan a private memorial charter — most last 1.5 to 2 hours dock to dock, with quiet time at a serene location for the ceremony. If your family cannot attend, our Captain’s Service performs a dignified, fully documented unattended scattering from New York for $350, year-round. Expedited services within 24–48 hours are available for religious timelines, including Hindu ash-scattering traditions.
To plan a burial at sea in New York City, call 1-888-404-9880. We’ll help you choose the right departure area, vessel, and time of day for your family.
Families in the area also depart from Brooklyn, Sheepshead Bay, City Island, and Liberty Landing across the harbor.
Explore all burial at sea locations in New York.
The Service:
Compassionate, Seamless Burial at Sea Services Nationwide
At Sea Services, we partner with carefully vetted captains and crew across the United States to ensure your memorial experience is smooth, respectful, and deeply meaningful. Honor your loved one with a dignified sea burial. We offer compassionate, coast-to-coast services for scattering ashes at sea. With experienced captains and certified vessels, we ensure your loved one’s ashes are scattered at sea with care, legality, and respect.
Our Burial at Sea and Ash Scattering Services include a beautifully crafted biodegradable urn adorned with freeze-dried flowers, along with a personalized memorial certificate mailed to you after the ceremony. Every service is conducted in full compliance with EPA regulations and aboard U.S. Coast Guard-approved vessels, ensuring safety and professionalism at every step.
What to Expect During Your Memorial Charter
Each charter lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, dock to dock. The journey includes:
- 30–45 minutes traveling out to sea
- 30 minutes at a serene location for the ceremony
- 30–45 minutes returning to harbor
Sea Services™ provides professional burial at sea services across the United States. Whether you’re looking for charter boats for scattering ashes, or a peaceful setting to lay your loved one to rest, we’re here to help you plan a meaningful sea burial with dignity.
During your time on the water, you’ll have the space and time to reflect, pray, share stories, and release ashes in a peaceful and private setting. Our experienced captains can help guide the ceremony or offer support as needed, ensuring a respectful and memorable farewell.
Points of Interest:
Statue of Liberty Most voyages from Manhattan pass Lady Liberty on the way out to sea — a moving moment many families choose to mark with a reading, a prayer, or a quiet moment of reflection.
The Battery (Battery Park) At Manhattan’s southern tip overlooking the harbor, The Battery is a peaceful place for family and friends to gather before or after the voyage, with sweeping views of the waters where your loved one now rests.
South Street Seaport Home of New York’s historic tall ships, the Seaport’s cobblestone streets and East River views make it a meaningful place for a family meal or quiet remembrance after your service.
