When the Ocean Calls: Finding Grief Support for Families Choosing Alternative Sea Burial Methods
The loss of a loved one brings profound grief, and for many families, traditional burial methods no longer align with their values or the wishes of the deceased. As alternative burial methods have emerged in recent years, including water cremation, human composting and natural burials offering choices that reflect changing values and less conventional preferences, families are increasingly exploring sea burials as a meaningful way to honor their departed loved ones. However, choosing an alternative burial method like sea burial can present unique emotional challenges that require specialized grief support resources.
Understanding the Growing Appeal of Sea Burials
Sea burials have gained popularity for numerous reasons. A full body burial at sea is generally considered to be one of the most environmentally friendly ways to handle a body. When dropped into the water in a decomposable burial shroud, a body will naturally decompose on its own and even provide food for ocean life. For these reasons, a burial at sea may also appeal to those who feel their body should continue to have a purpose after death and give back to the natural circle of life. Additionally, a sea burial including a coffin or custom-made shroud and boat rental might cost between $5,000 and $10,000, while a burial at a cemetery is at least $20,000, making it a more affordable option for many families.
For families in the New York area, companies like Eternal Peace Sea Burials provide comprehensive sea burial services. At Eternal Peace Sea Burials, we understand the profound significance of saying goodbye to a loved one. Located in the serene regions of Nassau County and Queens, NY, our company specializes in providing dignified sea burial services. The company’s commitment to personalization ensures that sea burials offer flexibility in personalization, allowing families to honor their loved ones in a unique and fitting way. Whether it’s the serene environment or the environmental considerations, a sea burial provides a thoughtful and respectful way to honor the memory of the deceased.
Unique Grief Challenges of Alternative Burial Methods
Families choosing alternative burial methods like sea burial often face distinct emotional challenges. Does not having access to the gravesite of a loved one during a burial service or afterward due to mobility challenges impact grief? The grieving process is messy and deeply personal for everyone. Unlike traditional cemetery burials, sea burials don’t provide a physical location for ongoing visitation, which can complicate the grieving process for some families.
The desire to have a place to go to memorialize someone who has died is common. That place might be a gravesite, or a memorial tree, or a special location where cremated remains (ashes) were scattered. But that place does not necessarily have to be a physical space. Since the pandemic, online memorial spaces have become increasing popular, creating access to virtual grieving spaces for those living near or far away from friends and family members who have died. That space, be it physical or virtual, can be a psychological lifeline for someone who is navigating the grieving process.
Essential Grief Support Resources for Alternative Burial Families
Recognizing the unique needs of families choosing alternative burial methods, several specialized grief support resources have emerged:
Death Cafes and Community Support Groups
The success of Death Cafes shows how building a strong community and sharing feelings and experiences are great ways to cope with grief. These informal gatherings provide safe spaces for families to discuss their experiences with alternative burial methods and connect with others who have made similar choices.
Meditation and Grief Retreats
For those seeking more introspective healing approaches, meditation retreats can provide a supportive and peaceful environment. These retreats often include guided sessions such as yoga classes, breathing exercises, or journaling spaces focused on emotional release and healing. Grief retreats provide a space for you to gain the inner tools necessary to cope with pain. At a time when complete isolation from social activities may feel like the only way to deal with your emotions, these spaces offer a relaxed and no-pressure setting to connect with others and work on yourself—on your terms.
Nature-Based Grief Support
At Wild Grief, we merge peer support with the healing power of nature. We’ve witnessed countless transformations as people engage with their grief in a natural setting alongside others on similar journeys. Simply walking together, being under the trees, and doing reflective activities leads to release, relief, and rootedness. By offering free, outdoor experiences for teens, young adults, families, and all-ages groups, we help more people find a place where they can remember, process, and discover a path to healing.
Professional Bereavement Services
Programs that provide emotional support, problem-solving assistance, information and guidance for people who have recently experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation. Included are counseling programs for widows and widowers, children who have lost a parent, parents who have lost a child and people who are in other similar situations are essential resources for families navigating grief after alternative burials.
Finding Peace Through Professional Sea Burial Services
Professional sea burial providers understand the emotional complexities their clients face. For families considering Burials at sea Nassau County, NY, Eternal Peace Sea Burials offers comprehensive support throughout the process. Our experienced team at Eternal Peace Sea Burials is committed to upholding the traditions and values associated with sea burials. We guide families through every step, ensuring the process is as smooth and comforting as possible. From selecting the perfect spot along the coast of Queens County to planning a personalized ceremony, we handle all aspects with sensitivity and professionalism. Our approach ensures that each burial at sea in Rosedale, NY, is not just a service but a cherished memory for the family.
The company’s environmental commitment also provides additional comfort to families. Eco-friendly sea burials also minimize environmental impact, aligning with the values of those committed to preserving nature, while assisting families in understanding and complying with all necessary legal requirements, including obtaining the proper permits and adhering to environmental regulations. This ensures that the burial is respectful to the departed and the marine ecosystem of Nassau County.
Building Long-Term Support Networks
The importance of ongoing support cannot be overstated. There are aspects of grieving that are done alone, but there are also aspects of grieving that are done in community and groups. And we must connect. We must connect to friends. We must connect to social support. We must connect. And this can be done virtually.
Families should also consider joining specialized support groups for those who have chosen alternative burial methods. Mutual support groups whose members are people who have experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one, divorce or separation. The groups meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet; are open to anyone who has had a loss rather than structured for people with particular types of losses; and focus on helping participants accept their loss, express their grief, move through the bereavement process and put their lives back together.
Creating Meaningful Memorial Practices
Without a traditional gravesite to visit, families choosing sea burial need to develop new ways to honor and remember their loved ones. Did your deceased loved one feel most at peace when by the sea? Then, perhaps you would feel some solace in your sorrow when you complete the process of spreading ashes at sea. Creating rituals around visiting the ocean, establishing memorial gardens, or participating in marine conservation efforts can provide ongoing connection and healing.
Choosing an alternative burial method like sea burial represents a deeply personal decision that reflects individual values and beliefs. While this choice may present unique grief challenges, abundant support resources are available to help families navigate their journey. From professional services that handle the practical aspects with compassion to community support groups that provide emotional connection, families have multiple pathways to find comfort and healing. The key is recognizing that grief after alternative burial methods may require different approaches than traditional grief support, and seeking out resources specifically designed to address these unique needs.
As our understanding of grief continues to evolve alongside changing funeral practices, the availability and quality of specialized support resources will undoubtedly continue to grow, ensuring that all families can find the help they need during their most difficult times.