Burial at Sea

By Crusader1307

The Custom involving Burial at Sea, is as old as is sailing The Ocean. It would go without saying that people died on board a vessel (either by "fair means or foul"). Several cultural and religious issues developed as a result of this situation. As Christianity was the predominate religion, these norms dictated that a person's physical remains needed to be buried in consecrated ground. Only then could it be "recalled" for the "Final Judgement". However, many ships were out at Sea for MANY months and it was often impossible to simply "turn around".  Some Navies and related Ship Captains would preserve the deceased in Salt and store them in the ship's Hold. This was done until a suitable land mass could be located and the body buried (with little to no fanfare). Cremation was also a religious taboo at the time (associated with Pagan burial customs). Similarly, a "funeral pyre" could not be set on a wooden ship!. Spain and England began to store their dead in the deep hull of their Ship with the Balast. This was crushed rock used as counterweight for the ship's stability. Bodies would be stored in The Balast Holds until the ship could put into Home Port. Unfortunately, the area was often wet and hot (NOT conducive to body preservation!). In a few cases, the deceased would become mummified.

The Catholic Church eventually gave special dispensation to Seamen in the 15th Century. The idea was to wrap the dead in a double thick piece of sail. Sewn together, it was often weighted with Balast (to help it sink quickly). The Captain would conduct a funeral service for the deceased Sailor (or Sailor's), in which the body would be placed on a Boarding Plank and allowed to slide - and fall into the Sea. It was assumed "God" would call all those lost or committed to the Ocean on Judgement Day. In terms of Pirates, no such "fancy" honors were or could be afforded. Normally, when a "Mate" died, his personal possessions were taken and split up among the crew. Often, the body would be unceremoniously "dumped" over the side of the ship into the sea (and of course, the Sharks!) As cruel and uncaring ad this sounds, it was not meant to be. Pirates accepted their final ending with great relish - often having no one to mourn them at any rate. Still, some Pirate vessels did still wrap their dead in Sail Linen and follow the Standard burial customs. The practice is more or less not used today (due to refrigeration and preservation techniques). Although some (through personal choice) - still opt for the practice (both the physical and cremated observations of the Ritual).