USS Mobile Bay
8/5/2011 
USS Mobile Bay Hosts Burial At Sea 

Official U.S. Navy file photo.
USS Mobile Bay Hosts Burial At Sea 
by Fire Controlman Second Class (Surface Warfare) Jeremy Butler 
On August 05 USS Mobile Bay Sailors had the honor of laying 10 perished service members to rest in a burial at sea service. If the deceased died on land or had been returned to shore after death, the remains may be brought aboard either in a Coffin or in an urn after cremation. The ceremony is performed while the ship is deployed, and consequently civilians are not allowed to be present. In the United States, Active Duty members of the uniformed services, retirees, and honorably discharged veterans are eligible for Navy Burial at Sea services.
The ceremony is divided into a military portion and a religious portion. The religious part is specific to the religion of the deceased, and may be performed by a Navy Chaplain or by the Commanding Officer if no chaplain of the appropriate faith is available. A scripture is read and prayers are said.
Once the religious ceremony is finished a 21 gun salute is ordered, proceeded by the playing of taps. The family members are notified of the time and location of the burial along with pictures and the spent cases from the 21 gun salute.
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