Memorial Services
A calm, dignified burial at sea.
Prince Charters has performed this service since 1965; it's the reason the company exists. Every scattering follows the same tradition, whether it's an intimate family of three or a larger gathering: a basket of petals, the ringing of the bell, three circles of the site, and a certificate marking exactly where your person returned to the sea.
The tradition
Every service includes the same care.
- A basket lined in cloth, with rose petals above and below
- The ship’s bell rung eight times
- Three circles of the scattering site
- A certificate with the date, time, and GPS coordinates
- A U.S. Coast Guard–inspected vessel and handled permits (LA County or Orange County)
The day itself
About 90 minutes, most of it a calm cruise.
The service runs roughly 1.5 hours, most of that time a gentle cruise across a calm harbor before the scattering itself. Ashes go into a cloth-lined basket, with rose petals placed above and below. Scattering happens at the Seal Beach pier or off Surfside in Huntington Beach. Prince Charters handles the permit, LA County or Orange County, whichever applies to your family.
All vessels are U.S. Coast Guard–inspected and guided by a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain. In true nautical sea burial tradition, the captain will ring the ship's bell eight times after the ashes are scattered into the sea, signaling last watch, and will slowly circle the site three times, allowing additional time to say goodbye. If your family can't be aboard, an unattended service carries out the same tradition with the crew standing in.
The details
What's included, and what to bring.
- The first mate prepares the basket with the rose petals and takes photos for the certificate only. We will never post the photos without your permission.
- You'll receive a custom certificate documenting the exact coordinates, date and time of the service, using a photo from your service as the background.
- Bring your loved one's favorite music to connect to our Bluetooth stereo.
- For individuals who passed away out of state, or families with permits that list a physical address, we can assist you in obtaining a new permit. We can serve families with permits for scatterings off the coast of Los Angeles County or Orange County.
Apart from sea burial and memorial charters, Prince Charters serves Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino County by offering multiple Huntington Harbour pleasure cruises.
Ready to talk it through?