Historically Ships used the tradition of a burial at sea due to the lack of having proper means to bury Sailors. Today The at sea ceremony for cremated remains or full body burials is one of the highest honor and respect paid to former service members or civilians.

Why do they bury bodies at sea?

People who choose to be buried at sea, he says, “typically have a love for the ocean, do not want to be cremated, and prefer 'ashes to ashes, dust to dust. ' They want to become part of the Earth again via our oceans.”

Is it an honor to be buried at sea?

For many Sailors and Marines, there is no more honored choice for their mortal remains than burial at sea. ... Since the burial is from an active military ship, family members are not able to attend the ceremony in person.