As the idea of eco-environmental protection spreads, burial at sea as a green, civilized way of burial is increasingly recognized. Many would choose to have their loved ones buried at sea, but it was not clear to many what formalities were required for burial at sea. Today, the usual questions relating to the burial process at sea are addressed in detail in a question-and-answer format。
Q: what basic material is needed first for burial at sea
Response: the basic material for burial at sea is based on information about the deceased and the family's authorization. The core material includes the following categories: first, the deceased's death certificate, which requires a valid and legal death certificate from a hospital, public security department or funeral home, which is the central basis for all procedures relating to burial; second, the family's identity certificate, which requires all family members (generally immediate family members) to provide the original identity card and a copy of their identity card; and third, the relationship certificate, which requires additional documentation to prove their relationship with the deceased, such as a household register, a marriage certificate, etc.; fourth, the ashes-related material, if the deceased has cremated, a cremation certificate from the funeral home and a certificate for the storage of the ashes; and, if the deceased person is selected for burial at sea (support in some areas), additional documentation for the transportation of the remains。
Q: which department should apply for burial procedures
The application for burial must be addressed to the local official funeral service or to the designated burial service, in consultation with the local civil administration department. Most municipalities now have specialized funeral centres, and in some areas there is also a dedicated line for burial services, where families can first consult local channels, materials and processes to avoid running empty. It needs to be noted that it is important to select officially recognized formal institutions and not to trust informal organizations to guarantee legal compliance with the burial process at sea。
Response: the process can be divided into four steps, as follows: first, submission of an application, family members carrying all the above-mentioned material, completion of the application form for burial at the designated funeral service, identification of the type of burial at the sea (burial or body burial), projected time of burial at the sea and family contact; second, examination of the material, review of the submission by the staff member, confirmation that the material is complete and the information is correct, and processing of the submission; one-time notification of the additional contents, if the material is missing; third, appointment of the time, sea area and related services for burial by the family, depending on their needs and institutional arrangements, in some areas, in particular before and after holidays, and recommendation of advance planning; fourth, execution of the burial at the sea, until the time of the appointment, family members will travel to the designated assembly place, travel to the designated sea for the purpose of completing the burial ceremony under the direction of the staff member, and at the end of the ceremony, the institution will issue a certificate of burial at sea。
Q: do you need to pay for the burial? Which items are included in the costs
The cost of burial at sea falls into two categories: in some parts of the country, where there is a free-of-charge policy for the burial of native-born deceased persons, the free items usually include the transport of ashes, the leasing of sea-mortuary vessels, the service of the burial ceremony, the mortuary degradation containers and the certification of the burial at sea; additional value-added services such as flowers, professional photography, personalization ceremonies, etc. Are subject to additional fees. In the case of non-receipt of a free policy, the costs cover, inter alia, ash transportation costs, vessel rental costs, staff service costs, as well as the cost of urchin degradation containers, which are publicized by the local funeral service, are transparent and open and are free of hidden charges. Family members may consult in advance whether there is a free burial policy and specific allowances to avoid unnecessary costs。
Q: can expatriates be buried locally? What additional material is required
Response: yes, most cities support the local burial of the deceased by sea, without the need for additional complex material, but at the core is the preparation of death certificates, cremation certificates, family identification certificates and relationship certificates. Some areas may not benefit from the local free-of-charge policy for offshore burials and are subject to local fees, specifically by consulting local funeral services in advance on the location and circumstances of the deceased's domicile and confirming the need for additional material。
Q: will a certificate be issued after the burial ceremony? What's the point of this certificate
A: yes, after a successful burial ceremony at the sea, the funeral service will issue an official sea funeral certificate for the family, which is important as a legal document for the burial of the deceased at sea. On the one hand, it serves as a basis for the burial of the deceased, for the cancellation of the deceased's family accounts, for the administration of inheritance, etc.; on the other hand, it is an important tribute to the memory of their loved ones and, on the other hand, it is possible for some parts of the population to enjoy the relevant burial subsidy policy with a certificate of burial at sea. The family is advised to keep the certificate in good order to avoid loss。
Q: is there a time limit for burial at sea? How long after the deceased dies
A: there is no strict time limit for burial at sea per se, and as long as the materials are complete and the procedures are in place, the deceased can apply for it at any time after his death. In practice, however, most family members are buried at sea within one to three months of the cremation of the deceased, leaving time for the memory of their loved ones and avoiding the inconvenience caused by the long-term storage of ashes. It should be noted that in some areas, there are regular batching arrangements, such as once a month or quarterly, whereby family members are required to make reasonable appointments in conjunction with the agency's batching, so as to avoid delays。
Question: what are the concerns of families during the burial process
Response: there are a number of points that require special attention by the family: first, the material must be prepared in advance, especially core materials such as death certificates, cremation certificates and so forth, so as to avoid delays in the processing of materials; second, it is essential to choose officially recognized official funeral services and not to trust irregular organizations in order to cause property damage or ineffectiveness; third, the burial of the sea is highly affected by weather, and the appointment of an advisory body may take place in the near future, and in the event of bad weather, the agency may adjust the time and the family may need to cooperate; fourth, when travelling to the sea to attend the burial ceremony, the family must observe the regulations of the ship, wear comfortable and non-sliding shoes and take care of the safety of the person; and fifth, if the family has special needs, such as the process of individualized burial, the plaster of the ashes, etc., it is possible to communicate with the institution in advance to confirm satisfaction。
These are the answers to the usual questions relating to the burial procedures at sea, and it is hoped that they will help those who need them. The burial at sea is a respect for the deceased and a guardian of the ecological environment, and if there is any lack of clarity in the process, it is recommended that the local civil administration or funeral services be consulted in a timely manner to obtain the most accurate information for the successful return of the deceased to the sea。
