Choosing the Right Vessel for Your Long Island Sea Burial: Understanding Your Fleet Options
When planning a sea burial for a loved one, one of the most important decisions you’ll face is selecting the appropriate vessel for the ceremony. Long Island offers two distinct types of maritime options: traditional charter boats and specialized sea burial vessels. Understanding the differences between these options can help ensure your final farewell is both meaningful and appropriate for your family’s needs.
Charter Boats: Versatile and Accessible Options
Traditional charter boats make up the majority of sea burial services available around Long Island. These vessels, such as those operated by Freeport Charter Boats and The Captain Lou Fleet, typically consist of multiple boats in their fleets with varying capacities. The Freeport Gem, for example, is a premier charter boat that can accommodate up to 130 passengers, providing ample space for larger gatherings.
Charter boats offer several advantages for families planning sea burials. These services typically include up to two hours on a private boat, with charters lasting approximately 1.5 to 2 hours dock to dock. All vessels are United States Coast Guard certified and feature indoor and outdoor seating, restrooms, and food and beverage options upon request.
The Captain Lou Fleet, which has been in business since 1956, provides a variety of burial at sea services including ash scatterings, full body burials, and memorial cruises, with six boats in their fleet to accommodate any size party. These companies typically offer both ceremonial (attended) and non-ceremonial (unattended) scattering options.
Specialized Sea Burial Vessels: Purpose-Built for Memorial Services
While less common, specialized sea burial vessels are specifically designed and equipped for memorial services. These vessels feature a wide range of options for scattering ashes at sea, with experienced teams that work closely with families to make the service a fitting memorial occasion. Specialized services often include beautifully crafted biodegradable urns adorned with freeze-dried flowers, along with personalized memorial certificates, all conducted in full compliance with EPA regulations.
Companies like Sea Burials Long Island, NY represent this specialized approach. Located in Nassau County and Queens, NY, Eternal Peace Sea Burials specializes in providing dignified sea burial services with a commitment to compassion, professionalism, and respect. Their team, led by Master Captain Scott Schafer and Burial Coordinator Maria Brusalis, guides families through the process and provides the option of having a priest present for memorial services.
Key Differences to Consider
Capacity and Space: Charter boats offer multiple vessel options with varying capacities, from 6-passenger motor yachts to 149-passenger power catamarans, with the best boat depending on factors including the number of passengers, location, and budget. Specialized services can accommodate groups from a single guest to several hundred.
Personalization Options: Specialized vessels often provide comprehensive services including traditional sea burials, eco-friendly options, memorial ceremonies, and ash scattering, all conducted with utmost respect and adherence to maritime regulations. Companies like Eternal Peace Sea Burials offer personalized memorial services that can include specialized music playlists, themed decorations, and customized ceremonies ranging from traditional to non-traditional gatherings.
Environmental Considerations: Both types of vessels prioritize eco-friendly practices, with specialized services often emphasizing their use of biodegradable urns and materials to minimize environmental impact. Charter boats also provide biodegradable urns specially designed for sea burials that break down naturally without harming the environment.
Making Your Decision
The choice between charter boats and specialized vessels often comes down to your specific needs and preferences. Both options provide respectful, caring ways to honor the final wishes of your loved one, whether through attended or unattended ceremonies. Experienced captains from both types of services will facilitate your ceremony and ensure your experience is caring and meaningful, regardless of your location.
The most important factor is finding a service provider whose team of experienced professionals handles each sea burial with utmost care and respect, ensuring that every detail is attended to with precision and that services are personalized to meet each family’s different needs.
Whether you choose a traditional charter boat or a specialized sea burial vessel, the goal remains the same: to provide a peaceful setting where you can lay your loved one to rest with dignity, having the space and time to reflect, pray, share stories, and release ashes in a peaceful and private setting.