Full body human-burials at sea (while remaining in a stainless-steel casket)

[Milaca]

Full body burials at sea are becoming more popular - Los Angeles Times (latimes.com)

Human ashes or an entire body being thrown into the ocean upon one's death is a good option and something I may consider having done upon my death, but I have a problem with an everlasting coffin being included in this process.
To me, the coffin is nothing more than man-made trash and will remain as litter at the bottom of the ocean forever (provided they are made of stainless-steel).
Do you enjoy viewing submersible video footage of ancient sunken ships? Oh, looky there, a couple of coffins laying atop the ship deck and a few more coffins scattered about like discarded tires.
I prefer to leave this earth without making it a worse place for those that are alive. Am I being too critical of this? What are your thoughts?

[skyway]

Hilarious (although the blue is a nice touch)
Ashes to ashes & dust to dust for me!

[tsenecal]

Alot of people love the ocean, and it seems better than covering earth with cemeterys. There is also a choice to skip the casket, and be sent off in a weighted, biodegradable shroud. If you like it, I say go for it! My plans are to be cremated and spread out in the mountains of Montana. Like the article said "we all return to the earth one way or another."

[Gunslinger]

A buddy of mine has two ideas for his ashes down the road. He has said he wants his ashes put in a reef ball which are hollow concrete orbs or other shapes that are designed to make artificial reefs off the coasts.

His other desire is to have his ashes spread on the beach of Key West. He said he’s been irritating women his whole life so he wants to do it one more time getting into their swim suits.

Which will happen remains to be seen.

[Charlie D]

I spent two years of my thirty five year service aboard USS Jason (AR-8). The other thirty three I was a land-lover. My current plans will conclude with an interment at the Ft. Gibson National Cemetery. (Oklahoma) My younger retired Navy brother is buried at the Ft. Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery. (Missouri) My other Army Veteran brother plans to be buried at the Ft. Smith National Cemetery. (Arkansas) Taxpayer money has covered most of my working years and all my retirement years so I don't think they will mind keeping up my grave site. Speaking of taxpayer money, I have to fill out my tax return tomorrow.
Charlie D.

[Skip Lackie]

I spent 50 years working for the US Navy in various capacities, the first 20 of which was as a sea-going oceanographer on Navy, foreign Navy, and contractor research ships. Once you're out of sight of land, it all looks pretty much the same. I never saw anyone buried at sea; I don't think the Navy does sea burials except during combat conditions. Have no desire to be buried at sea or any other place in particular. They can cremate me and put the ashes in the trash -- I won't know or care.

My job only rarely involved explorations or photographs of the sea bottom, but one photo in particular sticks in my mind. Way back in 1960, the bathyscaphe Trieste reached a depth of almost 11,000 meters in the Marianas Trench, the deepest part of the world ocean. Waters that deep are completely black and devoid of almost all life, so the photos don't show much except featureless gray mud. One of the photos, however, showed an American-style 12-ounce beer bottle despoiling the natural environment. It'll be there forever.

[t walgamuth]

I have been thinking of alternatives to being embalmed too. The stainless casket seems irresponsible.

[6hk71400]

It doesn't really matter. At the point of possibly ending this thread (not my intention) all I can say is read I Corinthians 15.

If anyone wants my understanding, PM me.

Bob Miles
Earth is not my final resting place.

[BobWaitz]

I told my wife to cremate me and dump the ashes in Volcano National Park in Hawaii then tell all the nieces & nephews they are required, at least once in their lives, to visit me.

[Commander Eddie]

So, are the metal caskets for those who wish to be buried at sea but don't want to get wet?

[Milaca]

So, are the metal caskets for those who wish to be buried at sea but don't want to get wet?

Good question! The casket is drilled to allow water inside so that it will sink to the ocean floor. I suppose the casket keeps the deceased from being consumed by a shark, but more than likely its purpose is to act as a headstone for future submarine crews to discover.

[Gunslinger]

Actually...it looks more like the burial capsule Spock was ejected into space in Star Trek II.

[Noxnabaker]

We've had a few ships & I sure love seafood & I wanna give back something to eat for those under the surface; be thrown overbord way out in the ocean when I'm done with this body but with as little extras as possible, either cut me open so I don't float when the gasses expands or in a cotton blanket or such.
I think we're causing the ocean enough trouble as it is.

[Gunslinger]

We've had a few ships & I sure love seafood & I wanna give back something to eat for those under the surface; be thrown overbord way out in the ocean when I'm done with this body but with as little extras as possible, either cut me open so I don't float when the gasses expands or in a cotton blanket or such.
I think we're causing the ocean enough trouble as it is.

That's exactly what actor Ward Bond did. He said he "loved seafood all his life and wanted to return the favor." His ashes were scattered between the CA mainland and Catalina Island.

[AndyK]

There's always the option of being buried in your favorite Studebaker. Then you will be sure to arrive at your final destination in style. Some of us may want to consider a model with A/C!

Seen on a headstone:
Stranger pause as you pass by,
for as you are now, so once was I.
As I am now. you soon shall be,
so prepare, in death, to follow me.

Reprise:
To follow you, I'm not content,
until I know which way you went!!