Ashes On The Sea

San Diego, United States

4.7

15 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 858-277-2799
Website:
www.ashesonthesea.com
Address:
San Diego, CA 92171
Linda Vista
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.9 miFashion Valley Transit Center
0.9 miHazard Center
1.3 miMission Valley Center
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes

Today

Today –
Local time (San Diego) 12:56 Sunday, 22 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Wednesday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Burial at Sea. Scattering ashes. Memorial Services at Sea. Biodegradable Urns.

We don’t just scatter ashes — we help create opportunities for healing.

We are a small, caring company, family owned and operated. Since burial at sea is our specialized service, we feel we are able to give excellent service to our families in need and focus on the issues affecting them during their difficult time.

If we can ever do anything to better personalize your service, or if you see an area in which we can improve, please let us know. We realize what a very unique family you are and want to be able to attend to your personal needs and wishes in every way possible. This really is our goal.

History

Established in 1997.

We are a small, caring company, family owned and operated since 1997. Since burial at sea is our specialized service, we pride ourselves on the attention to detail given to our families, focusing on the issues affecting YOU during your difficult time.

Many people do not realize that we are regulated and inspected the same as a funeral home. This is for your protection and peace of mind, knowing that everything is done legally and according to your wishes.

To legally advertise and scatter ashes in the ocean in California, you must be licensed through the California Department of Consumer Affairs. It is called a Cremated Remains Disposer license or CRD. This is in addition to any licenses issued by the Coast Guard. Our license number is CRD 399

Meet the Business Owner

Anya S.

Business Owner

In 1997 Anya Marie Cartwright met Ken Shortridge in San Diego. He had just started Ashes on the Sea (please see our company history information). At that time he needed a marketing designer and webmaster. Anya agreed to be the one.

In October of the same year, she agreed again to be «the one» — his partner for life. Seems like all that time spent together on projects created a bond of friendship that became much more.

Anya is the mother of 4 children and the grandmother of Micah — 6 years old as of this writing. She enjoys boating, fishing, dancing, and singing, just to name a few.

One of Anya’s biggest passions is organic gardening and exploring all facets of nature. She never tires of full moons, storms, rainbows, and sunsets.

Ashes On The Sea also recommends

Wms San Diego Memorial Chapel

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Anya S. says,

«They handled the memorial of our son with compassion. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to those in need.»

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Florists

Anya S. says,

«Great folks! Great flowers! This is where we have our biodegradable wreaths designed for burials at sea. Breath of fresh air every time you walk in :)»

Performance Specialties

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Auto Repair

Anya S. says,

«Honest and ethical. That means a lot these days!»

Hipp Marine — CLOSED

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Boating

,

Boat Dealers

,

Boat Repair

Anya S. says,

«We’ve been servicing our boat here for over 10 years. The service staff is very knowledgeable, and you can tell they enjoy their work.»

Legacy Funeral and Cremation Care

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Funeral Services & Cemeteries

Anya S. says,

«It can be difficult to choose a funeral home during your hour of need. Don’t hesitate to call Vic & staff for experienced help & guidance.»

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15 reviews of Ashes On The Sea

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Gardena, CA
My mom and I scattered my dads ashes yesterday at sunrise. Darcy was our captain and she was fantastic. My mom loved her! She took us out and because there was some fog and visibility was very low, she said we can wait to see if the sun would burn it off. Not long after, it cleared up and the morning was calm and beautiful. We said goodbye to my dad for the last time as the sun rose. Darcy circled around the flower petals so that I could take photos. She is very knowledgeable about San Diego and told us about the things we saw around us as we went out and came back.
I wish I saw the $ 50 off when I made the arrangements. Oh well.
Place rating: 5
Austin, TX
Coordinated this from out-​of-​state, over the phone and through email. They provided the exact service I was looking for. It was just me and I didn’t need some huge boat. Departure was from Mission Bay and I wanted to go off-​shore from Ocean Beach. Seamless transaction and Capt Ken’s a good ‘ol boy too.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
I love the service that Ashes on the Sea provides. Since our bodies are organic, it has always seemed like a waste to me to use up space in the earth for caskets that will never biodegrade. I know this is my own personal viewpoint and that everyone will not necessarily agree.
Even better than scattering my ashes, I simply love the idea of turning myself into a living reef which Ashes on the Sea can do. Personal ashes can be molded into a reef type of object and family members can add memories, baubles and other keepsakes into the reef before it sinks down into the sea.
They provide a gentle and thoughtful service and it is of course, very eco-​friendly!
Place rating: 1
Irvine, CA
I called to inquire about sea burial services and spoke to Ken at Ashes on the sea on June 17, 2015. After getting the info and pricing I called him back on the same day and made arrangements for June 22, 2015. He took my credit card information and stated he will put a hold on my credit card and once he’s able to confirm the time and date with boat captain «John» he will confirm everything.
This company is based out of San Diego, CA and appears to contract out services in Orange County to another provider who is not affiliated with this company. Regardless, the individual who was the boat captain never confirmed the time nor was he responding to phone calls or emails. I tried calling him on his cell phone several times to change the pick up time from 9 am to 10 am couple of days before the scheduled time for burial at he sea, but he never answered his cell or returned my messages.
I contacted on Monday and told him the boat captain «John» hasn’t confirmed the time and I need to push the time to 10 am instead 9 am in case he finally decides to respond to our phone calls, he stated he will contact John and call me back. He didn’t return my call that day.
Upon checking my credit card transactions I noticed I was charged $ 724 by Ashes On The Sea on June 17, 2015 even though he did not tell me my card was going to be charged but rather they were reserving the spot for me. Also they did not rendered any services and the boat captain was a No-​Show on the date and time we had requested the service. I emailed Ken from Ashes on the sea and requested full refund upon finding out about the charge and he finally decided to contact me. I also contacted my credit card company to dispute the charge.
It is unfortunate for this company to take advantage of people when they are mourning the loss of family members and want to put the in the resting place. They definitely lack ethics, integrity, and compassion.
Please stay away from this company.
Place rating: 5
El Cajon, CA
My family used Ashes On The Sea for my mothers scattering in 2006.
We recently lost our dad and was having him buried at Miramar National Cemetery and in order to get my mothers name on the stone along with his they needed the certificate that she was cremated and scattered. I spent a week going crazy looking through moving boxes for the certificate and I was running out of time. In a last ditch effort I called AOTS to see if they possibly kept records that long. Anya got right on it! Not only did she call me right back she also emailed me the certificate within minutes. Anya, You saved the day!!!
There is so much to do when losing a loved one, it is priceless to know people like Ken and Anya are there to help make things a little easier.
Place rating: 5
Phoenix, AZ
This was a wonderful service Captain Ken and all the folks at Ashes On The Sea provided for us. I am late to review our experience on Unilocal.In August 2013 we took our dear Mom’s ashes to be near her favorite place. Captain Ken honored our sweet Mom, then made the experience even more memorable by giving us a tour around the bay. He made an emotional experience fun. I would highly recommend these wonderful folks to handle what became a beautiful memorial.
Place rating: 5
Keller, TX
After lots of research of the tall Ships available we choose Captain Ken of Ashes on the Sea. The Crew members were right on spot with our memorial service this past Sat., every detail was handled with the utmost dignity and couldn’t have been more pleased. Thank you so much.
Place rating: 5
Chula Vista, CA
This evening Capt. Ken took my family out to place my mother-​in-​law in her final resting place. While a difficult time, Ken and his crew did a wonderful job. Upon arrival they cut the engines so we could have a peaceful ceremony. We took a while saying our goodbyes and we were not rushed to get back in.
I recommend contacting Ken if your love one wish is to have their ashes spread at sea.
Place rating: 5
Wallkill, NY
Captain Ken did an amazing job with the burial at sea of my brother.
Many of us had come from long distances (New York, Georgia, Oregon and Mexico just to name few). We had planned on being on the boat with Captain Ken, however the weather was not cooperating with us at all. It was a very windy, choppy day. So we decided to be safe and meet with friends on the pier. It was not recommended to be on the ocean, but Captain Ken decided it was safe enough for him to go out by himself to distribute the ashes in front of the pier so we could all be part of it. He did so at great risk to himself, but it was appreciated by all of us so much. He obviously had an awesome knowledge and skill of navigating the sea. He went above and beyond our expectations. Thank you so much Captain Ken!!!
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Captain Ken did a terrific job with the scattering of the ashes ceremony for my mother. The boat ride from mission bay to the ocean off of crystal pier in pacific beach was exciting and fun. We had plenty of time to perform the ceremony and was amazed how peaceful and spiritual it was.
Ken also tried to help us spot whales and dolphins and we got to see some sea lions.
I highly recommend the Ashes on the Sea service and will use them again for my loved ones.
Place rating: 5
Sugar Land, TX
Ken was a real good captain. He was our captain this past weekend and was very considerate and respectful. He was also very friendly and engaging.
Since we were running ahead of schedule, Ken was nice enough to give us a quick tour of the harbor. When it was time to spread the ashes, he ensured it was done correctly and at the right time. There was one moment where he even adjusted the boat to provide shelter against the wind as we were lowering the ashes into the water. Often times it’s the small gestures that make an experience perfect — Ken did just that.
I would definitely recommend him for all those needing these services.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Very considerate and friendly. Ken brought flowers for us to scatter with the ashes. When we were done he even took us around and showed us dolphins and a whale. Highly recommend to anyone.
Place rating: 5
Saratoga, CA
I did some research and found captain ken and his wife to be very accommodating and compassionate during a very trying time when we had to cremate my mother. He was very prompt in responding and worked around our time. They also sent a beautiful certificate afterwards. Excellent service !!
Place rating: 5
Huntington Beach, CA
After researching many burial at sea companies online, my sisters and I decided to go with Ashes On The Sea. They were very compassionate and helpful during such a difficult time in our lives. Having never planned a memorial before, they walked me through the process and offered various suggestions for the family.
Unfortunately, due to a family member’s illness, we had to postpone our reservations for burial at sea. Ashes On The Sea were very understanding and accommodating. Needless to say, a year later after my mother’s passing, the family has decided to make other arrangements for her ashes. I recently contacted Ashes on The Sea regarding a refund for the deposit we made for burial at sea. Even though the deposit was made over a year ago, they were very understanding and issued the full refund within a few days of me contacting them.
Even though we did not receive full services through Ashes On The Sea, I would not hesitate to refer them to family and friends. as I was very impressed with their professionalism and understanding.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Captain Ken is great. He explained all the legal ramifications and logistics, and then we got started on our jouney out into the ocean. He was very attentive to the needs of us clients, but also gave us plenty of ‘space’ to process our emotions. Obviously, doing what he does, he seemed to understand what we were going through and what we needed. The day went beautifully and I feel my friends dying wishes were carried out perfectly.