Can you scatter ashes at sea off San Diego?
Yes, from a boat or plane, but not from a pier or the beach. State law says at least 500 yards offshore and federal rules say 3 nautical miles, so most boats go 3+ miles out. Then file a county statement and an EPA report.
- State minimum
- 500 yards
- Federal rule
- 3 nautical miles
- Report to EPA
- 30 days
- County statement
- 10 days
From shore
EPA general permit
Online, after the fact
Filed by the person who scatters
The short version
- California law allows cremated remains to be taken by boat from any harbor, or by air, and scattered at sea, but not within 500 yards of the shoreline and never from a pier or bridge.
- The EPA's general permit covers burial at sea at least 3 nautical miles from land; you report within 30 days online, and no advance permit is needed.
- Because the two rules differ, the safe practice is to go at least 3 nautical miles out and file both reports.
- Only decomposable flowers and wreaths may go in the water.
- Scattering on land is legal with the owner's written permission; California State Parks requires an application.
The Pacific is one of the most common places San Diego families choose for a loved one's ashes, and it's legal. It just isn't as simple as walking to the end of the pier at sunset. Here's what the law requires and how people usually do it.
The two sets of rules
| California (H&S Code §7117) | Federal (EPA general permit) | |
|---|---|---|
| How far out | At least 500 yards from shore | At least 3 nautical miles from land |
| From where | By boat from a harbor, or by air; never from a pier or bridge | From a vessel or aircraft |
| Paperwork | Verified statement to the local registrar within 10 days | Online report to EPA within 30 days |
| What can go in | Cremated remains | Cremated remains plus decomposable flowers or wreaths only |
How a scattering usually works
- 01
Get the county permit
The crematory or funeral home normally provides the County of San Diego permit for disposition of human remains, along with the death certificate. A licensed boat operator will ask for both.
- 02
Book a boat or a service
The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a state-licensed cremated remains disposer and runs services on its historic boats, from the 25-passenger Pilot to the 50-passenger Californian. Book at least three days ahead; prices aren't published.
- 03
Scatter beyond 3 nautical miles
Bring only decomposable flowers. Plastic, balloons and non-biodegradable urns can't go in.
- 04
File the paperwork
The person who scatters files a verified statement with the local registrar within 10 days and reports to the EPA within 30 days through its online burial-at-sea tool. Licensed operators often handle this.
What about the beach or a park?
Scattering on land is allowed under state law where no local rule forbids it, with written permission from the property owner or the agency that manages it, and the remains can't be in a container or noticeable to the public. California State Parks requires an application and keeps scatterings at least 75 feet from trails. Piers are explicitly off-limits.
SOURCES
Everything above traces back to one of these. Follow them — if one has changed and we haven't, that's our mistake, not yours.
- PrimaryBurial at sea
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · Checked October 6, 2026
3 nautical miles, 30-day report, decomposable flowers
- PrimaryHealth and Safety Code §7117
State of California (via California Public Law) · Checked October 6, 2026
500 yards, no piers or bridges, 10-day statement
- PrimaryHealth and Safety Code §7116
State of California (via California Public Law) · Checked October 6, 2026
Scattering on land
- PrimaryScattering human remains
California State Parks · Checked October 6, 2026
State park application and rules
- BackgroundBurials at sea
Maritime Museum of San Diego · Checked October 6, 2026
Licensed disposer, boats, booking