Ash Scattering at Sea Recommendations
We have had some wonderful families over the years come out to sea with us to scatter their loved ones ashes. We strive to do the best job we can – giving the utmost respect for both the family and the departed family member. We thank each of them for all their recommendations.



Dozens of Reviews
All Excellent
Our Memorial Service was with Burial at the Sea. From the time that I book the event with Tawanna, everyone that assisted my family with the service was excellent. I want to thank and appreciate Tawanna and the Crew. I would recommend you all 100 percent! Excellent care and taken care of us all. .
I cannot recommend Tawana and San Diego Burial at Sea enough. She was so understanding with all our phone calls and emails. We had extra concerns about my 89-year-old mother being able to comfortably make the ceremony. Tawana went out of her way to make sure we picked a date when calm seas were expected. Host Cynthia and Captain Brooks were so friendly and took care to make sure she could safely enjoy and participate in the ceremony. I cannot thank you enough.
My family is so grateful to San Diego Burial at Sea. Tawanna helped us pull it all together (and pull it off!) with very short notice. Cynthia, our hostess, could not have been sweeter or more authenticity interested in us having everything we needed, and Captain Randy was the best. Going out of his way to point out fun things for the kids. So friendly and welcoming. The rose petals with the ashes was unexpectedly beautiful and this is how I want my own ashes scattered when the time comes. Thank you for doing what you do. It meant the world to us
The entire process was smooth, friendly and respectful. With COVID still an issue, they kept us safe and comfortable as 8 of us were taken by a capt and one crew to do a burial at sea. Most importantly, my mother was very happy with how everything went.
Very professional and compassionate. Very respectful on how I wanted things to be. Awesome experience at a difficult time. Highly recommend
Monday, October 7, 2019 on the one year anniversary of his passing, we placed my husbands ashes into the ocean at sunset. Mo and Captain Jeff were absolutely wonderful to us. The whole crew at San Diego Burial at Sea were very gracious and easy to work with – Professional and understanding. It was the most peaceful and meaningful experiences of the last year. I highly recommend San Diego Burial at Sea. ❤️🤙🏻
We all agreed that this was the most beautiful Celebration of Life we’d ever witnessed. My husband’s passing was a very difficult time for me and yet the office people to the crew were all so helpful, friendly, and caring. The bio-gradable sea turtle urn was such a perfect idea. I totally recommend this company. Thank you for helping me through a very difficult time and making for us a beautiful memory.
We scattered my sister’s ashes close to Hotel Del Coronado. The weather was simply perfect. Sunny and Warm. Tawanna and her crew were fantastic and so caring! We also used San Diego Burial at Sea for my father back in 2013, again, extremely gracious service. I guess if I must leave this earth this will be my choice of saying “Aloha”. Thanks Tawanna and crew!
This company was amazing from the very first time we spoke with Tawanna to working with Dana and Summer. All very compassionate, knowledgeable and caring. We had my mother cremated and her ashes scattered at the tip of Point Loma. They took care of everything and it was all very nicely done, beautiful and peaceful.
I had the unfortunate circumstance of having both my parents die within one year of each other. Tawanna and the crew at San Diego Burial at Sea were helpful and supportive in the midst of a difficult time. For my dad’s burial we chose the option to observe the boat go out to scatter the ashes from Cabrillo National Monument. For my mom’s burial we went on the boat to scatter her ashes with some family and friends. Shelby was our host on the boat and she was lovely and accommodating. She even offered to sing “Amazing Grace” during the scattering. She did a great job and it really added to the beautiful and emotional ambiance (rose petals over the ashes in the water etc.). I highly recommend San Diego Burial at Sea.
We used San Diego Burials at Sea for the scattering of the cremains of our loved one – it was done with empathy, compassion and a great deal of understanding. Tawanna was extremely patient, understanding, flexible and accessible throughout our planning process. The day of the scattering, Captain Steven, Shelby and the Crew were very helpful and kind. For those with an interest to be buried of to bury a loved one at Sea…I would highly recommend San Diego Burial at Sea. Under the circumstances we could not wish for a more joyous celebration.
It was a beautiful day to scatter my parents’ ashes at sea. Jane, the host, and Peter, the Captain of the boat, could not have been kinder. They made a potentially difficult situation peaceful and lovely. I truly believe my parents would have been really pleased with how it all went. We especially appreciate Summer for making our keepsake and for Pauline coordinating the event.
We recently used the services of San Diego Burial at Sea to scatter my Dad’s ashes – his wish to be back in the ocean he so loved. The staff arranged for the Navy military color guard and buglers for the flag presentation. This was followed by the boat cruise to spread his ashes. Tawanna was our coordinator was there for us that day, caring and supportive, helped us to have a memorable experience and to honor and celebrate a life well lived and well loved. We will be using their services again.
My family and I chartered a boat through San Diego Burials at Sea and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the experience. Over the phone, Pauline was so helpful guiding us through all of our options. Once our date came, we had Jane as our hostess and she was just delightful. Our captain was Joey and he was a joy. At one point I was able to steer the boat for a few minutes, which was a lot of fun for me! Highly, highly recommended!
My father passed away recently, it has been very hard for my family. He would always say to scatter his ashes in the ocean, having worked in San Diego in his youth and knowing his love of the ocean made this service even more memorable. From my first call to Pauline, I knew this was the right choice. She was friendly, empathetic, and answered all of my questions.
My dad’s burial at sea was on Father’s Day, it was so beautiful-being on the boat listening to my dad’s playlist, it was a gorgeous day. Jane and Brandon were wonderful, so kind and caring, they did everything to make this what I wanted for my dad. I would not change a thing. Jane taught us so much about the harbor and its history, we saw sea lions and even a dolphin. It was perfect, thank you so much for a beautiful service!
They made the day so special – letting us pick the music, mixing the ashes with the rose petals and lowering it into the sea off the coast. Beautiful send off for a beautiful lady. I can’t say enough good things about San Diego Burial At Sea.
My aunt, who was 95 when she passed away, requested that her ashes be “put out to sea”. Which was a little disconcerting for my mother (her sister). We didn’t need to worry. The ceremony was beautiful. We brought prayers and stories – and music. And the captain and assistant were thoughtful and fun. We originally were all going to go out on the bow to place the beautiful biodegradable shell that my aunt’s ashes were in, but the waves were a little bit too much for my 90 year old Dad to maneuver. (And quite frankly, my sea legs weren’t so great either!) No worries! They accommodated us magnificently. My mother, daughter and husband went to the back of the 52-foot-boat and were able to send Aunt Betty’s ashes on their way – with all of us able to view the presentation easily. The captain and assistant provided us with flower petals to follow the shell on it’s journey – and we were all mesmerized by the beauty. My mom is at peace with her sister’s request – as we all are. And will remember the wonderful experience forever. I’m thankful that my online search brought me to your company. Top notch. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a similar experience.
The crew helped us in every way, the captain was so respectful of maneuvering the boat around the ashes and roses we spread in the sea. It was heartfelt to say the least. Then the captain took us on a small journey from out to sea to the inlet and bay to let us decompress and talk among ourselves. Fantastic! Thank you so much you guys!
The team is there to make sure your day is exactly as your friend or family member would have imagined. The first thing they said was ‘the entire boat is yours‘ and they truly made us feel that way.
It honestly changed our group’s opinions on how we want to be celebrated after we pass. What a perfect experience!
They even went well out of their way to accommodate our Family’s request to find a “Turtle Urn” to float, rather than scattering the ashes. Just as we were about to begin our service a Pod of Whales appears and swam around and under the boat! We scattered over 6 dozen rose petals, all pink and white as we slowly released our Sister to the Sea. As the Captain circled the site and the music played, we all felt a sense of peace. It was truly a magical experience and a beautiful tribute to our sister.
The facilitator was fantastic in her support to my sister, John’s wife, as was the captain’s wife. Her reading of “When I am Gone, Release Me” was very special as was the playing of Amazing Grace after the scattering.
I just want to say thank you so much Tawanna for everything. You, the captain and staff helped us to get through one of the toughest things that my family and I have had to go through and because of the special touches we have a memory that will be with us forever.
They were extremely knowledgeable, professional and quite sensitive to my situation. The captain and the yacht host could not have been nicer, or more understanding. While heading out of San Diego Bay to the open ocean, I shared stories of my mother Mercedes, husband Dave, and our beloved dogs Sammy and Jessie. We all cried … and laughed.
It is difficult to explain how beautiful it is when the ashes and rose petals disperse into the ocean. They leave a beautiful trail that slowly becomes part of the water. What followed was an amazing emotional release, and even relief. They were free! And the best part was, that now, every time I look out to the ocean I think of them all. And I smile. It was truly an amazing experience.
Saturday’s event could not have gone better, you provided just what we needed. The captain and our hostess were expert in their roles. Thanks to their help, our small ceremony was gracious, private, and dignified. It meant a great deal to me, and to all my family. Thanks to everyone for their service. Bill- Oct/2011
I wanted to thank you for making the scattering of my mother’s ashes such a peaceful and dignified experience. You all did a wonderful job of making our family feel comfortable. We all felt that you handled honoring our wishes and privacy with respect and care. At no time did this feel like a “business” venture and your concerns felt genuine. It is such a sacred event and taking part in it enriches us all. I felt you all understood that. Louise – July/2011
The trip was perfect. Absolutely perfect. The captain and our host were just lovely and so very kind. My sister and brother and me all just kept saying how perfect, relaxing, respectful, and peaceful the whole day was. Thank you so much for this perfect departure and enduring memory. Deborah – May /2011
The captain and host for our sea burial were absolutely amazing! They listened to our stories, comforted each member of our family as needed. The ceremony was beautiful and the scatter was breathtaking and done with great respect. I don’t have enough room for all the praise I have for this company and their crew. I would highly recommend their charter for any event. The memorial certificate that they provide is just as beautiful. My Dad being a seaman himself, is very proud. Christie – March/2011
I would highly and without hesitation recommend the sea burial services provided by San Diego Burial at Sea. Words cannot adequately express my praise. It is so comforting to those left behind to know without question that the burial of our loved ones was accomplished with such beauty, such a feeling of peace and tranquility, and such professionalism on the part of the people involved. Norma – Feb, 2011
The ash scattering (sea burial) was absolutely beautiful From the very first phone call to the end, this was a wonderful experience, with all so very thoughtful in helping us plan this event. It surpassed all expectations, and we want to thank you for making it such a special day. Elizabeth – Jan 2011
From my first telephone call, San Diego Burial at Sea was available with support and guidance. And on the day of the trip, their solicitude and attention to the needs of all guests aboard was a real godsend. Capt and crew paid attention to detail and made the experience of fulfilling my Dad’s wishes by burying him at sea over the Pt. Loma kelp beds a memorable reality for all of us. And we were blessed by the appearance of a young sea lion who peered up at us after making a double pass at the stern of the boat just after the ashes were released into the sea. Linda – Jan 2011
We contacted San Diego Burial at Sea and from the start, they welcomed us with warmth and support. From the moment we stepped on board the beautiful, comfortable yacht, we were treated with love and respect, treating our loss as importantly as if it were their own. They gave my brother and I time to mourn alone, and knew when to bring lightness and beauty to the occasion, too. Debby – Dec 2010
My family and I appreciate the wonderful sea burial service you gave us, you were so helpful from the first phone conversation to the very end. It was a great send-off for my Bill. Now he is flying with the angels. Vonelle – Nov 2010
I will not hesitate to recommend you all and your beautiful yacht, High Spirits, for any occasion, but especially for memorials that are both intimate and relaxed. You are a highly professional, yet comfortable (and comforting) staff; I felt like we were with friends, that meant more than you know. I am grateful for the support and gorgeous atmosphere provided. Elizabeth -Aug 2010
We were very happy with your services and also wanted to express our thanks to the captain and crew for their hospitality. They made the entire experience as pleasant as possible, and we enjoyed listening to them share their knowledge about the area. Everything was handled beautifully – the boat, the scattering, and the pleasant trip around Point Loma. In many ways, it was a very healing experience for all of us. Larry – Aug 2010
The burial at sea of my father was so uplifting and peaceful. The host was great and made the whole experience even better. The boat tour and scattering exceeded everyone’s expectations and the memories will stay with us forever. All of my relatives said my father would be very proud. Thank you so much for offering this service. Christine – June 2010
Very nice, I would like to thank you for a wonderful and very thoughtful service. May God Bless You and your family. My father would be very HAPPY!!! Bob – May 2010
This was absolutely a fantastic experience. The crew was very pleasant and accommodating from the very first phone call until the charter was completed. As we know, this type of boat tour is not for a pleasure ride and not one of the happiest times for family and friends. However, this crew handled the entire trip beyond our expectations. Lorraine – October 09
So glad to read about your boat in the Beacon, it was perfect for our service. Blanch – March 08
I can’t say enough positive things about the service on Monday – it was perfect. The Capt. you provided for us could not have done a better job. I will not hesitate to recommend your service Ginger 2007