When a dog or cat who has been by your side for years finally goes, the emptiness is real. It isn’t “just a pet” — it’s the companion who waited for you at the door every evening, who slept beside you on the hard nights, who licked your face when you cried without asking why.
And at that moment of farewell, the question is: how do I honour the time we shared? How do I say goodbye to someone who was part of my family?
The sea as a place of rest
There is something deeply peaceful in the idea of your dog or cat resting in the sea. Not in a ceramic urn on the living-room shelf, not under a headstone. But in the endless movement of the water, in the freedom of the horizon, in the place where everything seems possible.
Many families tell us they chose the sea because it was their pet’s favourite place. That walk they loved so much when they were young. That breeze ruffling their fur. That peace they seemed to have when they looked at the horizon.
Is it legal to scatter your pet’s ashes at sea?
Yes, it is entirely legal in Spain, as long as it is done properly. As with human ashes, you need:
- The cremation certificate from the pet crematorium
- A cleared and authorised boat (you can’t do it on your own)
- A permit from the Harbour Master for scattering at specific coordinates
What matters is that someone takes care of the paperwork. We do it from Barcelona, and we make sure everything is fully lawful and dignified.
What the Ceremony at Sea Is Like
You arrive at Port Garraf (Sitges) at the agreed time. Your family boards the sailing boat — intimate, private, just for you and the skipper.
We sail together to the point the Harbour Master has designated, calmly and unhurriedly. On the way there is time to talk, to remember, to cry if you need to.
When we arrive, the engine is stopped. There is silence. Your pet returns to the sea in a biodegradable urn, and you say goodbye privately, at your own pace. Some read a poem. Others simply stay silent. Some play their favourite song.
Dogs and cats: part of the family
We understand that your pet isn’t “just an animal”. They are a member of your family. They have lived under your roof, been part of your daily rituals, seen the changes in your life and been there without asking for anything in return.
That is why we offer this service with the same seriousness and respect as our farewells for people. Because the emotional bond is just as real.
Pets deserve to be honoured too
In Barcelona there are thousands of families who deeply love their dogs and cats. Many of you spend more time with your pet than with friends or family. They are the reason you go out for a walk every morning. They are the comfort on the hard days.
And when they go, the farewell matters. Not just to close a chapter, but to honour the time you shared. To recognise that it meant something. That it was love.
If your dog or cat has just passed away and you are looking for a dignified, heartfelt way to say goodbye, we are here to help. There is no rush. Take all the time you need.
Talk to us, with no obligation
We understand what it means to lose a companion. We will make sure their farewell is special.
Find out more about the ceremonyYou can also read about it, calmly told, at Despedida en el Mar.