What Do They Do With Dead Bodies on a Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

When someone passes away on a cruise ship, the death of a passenger or crew member is handled in accordance with the laws of the country in which the ship is registered. Cruise companies are obligated to report all deaths to the appropriate authorities, and adhere to their instructions regarding what to do with bodies.

The first step is typically to call local authorities, who can arrange for a medical examiner or coroner to come on board and determine the cause of death. If it is a natural death, the body will be taken off the ship and transported to a morgue for further examination. In cases of suspicious deaths, an investigation may be conducted on board before any action is taken.

If the deceased was from a foreign country, arrangements should be made with local consulates for repatriation of the body back home.

This involves paperwork and coordination between multiple parties, as well as fees that must be paid by either the cruise line or family members. If this is not possible due to financial constraints or other reasons, burial at sea may be arranged.

Burial at Sea

Burial at sea is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to dispose of bodies in an environmentally friendly way. It involves placing a body into a weighted bag and then lowering it over the side of a boat into deep waters. The exact location where this takes place depends on local maritime regulations; if there are no specific requirements then it can take place anywhere within international waters.

What Happens After Burial?

Once burial at sea has taken place, there are no further legal obligations required of cruise companies. However, some ships offer memorial services for passengers who have passed away during their voyage and may even provide commemorative certificates that can be kept as mementos.

Conclusion:


When someone passes away on board a cruise ship, there are certain procedures that must be followed in order to properly dispose of their remains according to local laws and regulations. In most cases this involves transporting them off the ship for examination or repatriation back home; if this isn’t possible then burial at sea may be arranged instead. Afterward, cruise companies usually provide memorial services for passengers who have passed away and provide commemorative certificates as mementos.