Burial at Sea of Human Remains
The MFA recognises that burial at sea is a long established tradition, particularly for those who have been associated with the sea. It does, nevertheless, have responsibility for applying Food and Environment Protection Act (FEPA) licence controls to the burial at sea of human remains, which it endeavours to exercise in a sympathetic and respectful manner.
Where burial at sea off the coast of England is proposed, an application for a FEPA licence should be made. The licence normally takes the form of a letter and where granted, will be issued free of charge.
Such licences will include the date and the location at which burial must take place and other conditions, including specifications of the materials and design of the coffin which should be used.
Amongst other information, the application will need to include a certificate from the appropriate medical practitioner that the body is clear of fever and infection.
The Coroner may also need to be informed of the intention to remove a body out of England as prescribed in the Removal of Bodies Regulations 1954 (as amended). Bodies which have been embalmed will not be allowed burial at sea.
It is, of course, inevitable that when a body is buried at sea it is liable to be subject to movement by currents, with the consequent risk that it may be returned to the shore, or even the unfortunate possibility of it being trawled up by fishing gear.
Such situations cause considerable distress to relatives and friends of the deceased and indeed, also to those who may inadvertently encounter such a situation.
In view of such risks, there are very few places around the coast where sea burials are permitted. Indeed, the licensing authority normally recommends that, rather than burial of the body at sea, consideration should be given to the scattering at sea of cremation ashes.
This alternative does not require a licence issued under the Food and Environment Protection Act 1985.