Burial at Sea

After all this time, after all of these seasons
After your own decision to go to the water for reason
It's only the ocean and you
And all of these lines will all be erased soon
They go out with the tide and come back with the waves, so
It's only the ocean and you.  --Jack Johnson - "Only the Ocean"

To Whom It May Concern:

For those bereaved families who feel that an alternative to a traditional land burial would befit their dearly departed, H2O Captain LLC would like to introduce our continuing service of Burial at Sea.  If the sea is where your loved ones felt the most connection to life, considering a sea burial or scattering their ashes over the water might be a fitting tribute. This method of final rest bypasses the need for a land burial plot, headstone, or mausoleum, often resulting in a more economical option compared to traditional onshore burials.

My name is Captain Mark Sonder. I am a Merchant Mariner Credentialed Master Captain and serve in the USCG Auxiliary, Department of Homeland Security. In addition, I am an Admissions Partner to the USCG Academy which trains future USCG Officers.

I have found that families prefer this kind of farewell in private and serene settings. I perform this service in the Beaufort, Emerald Isle, Shackleford Banks, and Cape Lookout waterways and always receive positive feedback and testimonials.

H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions offers respectively priced options to meet the needs of families. This includes a professional, licensed, insured, and experienced Master boat captain for a dignified ceremony during the season of late March through election day in November for burial at sea.  Other times may be available.

What are they saying about their experiences:

"Captain Mark,
Thank you so much for making sure our day saying goodbye to our mother was about as peaceful and magical as we could have imagined. We appreciated your calm reassurance and your acknowledgment of her presence being there with us. We will not forget the dolphin escort or the dolphin and pelican salute at the end. I am convinced she sent them to wish us well and let us know that she is okay."

"Thank you again for your professionalism and sensitivity. Carol and her siblings felt very good about how the day went. Hope to cruise with you in the future!"

"Thank you so much. It was great to have you as our Captain. The boys and I all felt we gave Mike the best sendoff possible. Your "tour" and your words at the ceremony could not have been more perfect ... it was very meaningful for us. Do you by any chance have a copy of some of the words/quotes you read?"

"Thanks so much. The words are beautiful and I will treasure them always.."

Option A
Leaving from Morehead City, NC, and carrying up to 6 passengers, the Captain will bring your family and friends, along with the cremated remains of their loved one(s), to a Federal, State, or family-approved location for a proper burial at sea. This would include a brief ceremony and marking the scattering of the ashes with a latitude and longitude Certificate.

Option B
For your family and friends of the deceased who cannot be present, I offer an unattended Burial at Sea in which the cremains are taken to a preselected location to be released. The day, time, and location of the spreading, will be recorded with longitude and latitude coordinates as well as with a Certificate. This allows the family to revisit the location should they desire. The family will need to arrange for the delivery of the cremains to H2O Captain LLC.

Please call 202-369-1063 to inquire.

Wishing everyone, Fair Winds and Following Seas.

Captain Mark
H2O Captain Eco-Tour Private Boat Excursions