Sussex by the sea

Here at Tester & Jones, we are proud to be based in East Sussex and close to the sea. In fact, our unofficial county anthem is ‘Sussex by the Sea’:

“And when you go to Sussex, whoever you may be,

You may tell them all that we stand of fall for Sussex by the sea’

William Ward-Higgs, 1907.

For many of us, being near the sea feels very calming – breathing in the sea air and listening to the waves lapping on the beach. For others, the sea can really feel part of who they are – particularly if a life on water has formed part of their career, perhaps in the navy, or they simply enjoy being out in the water, sailing or maybe fishing.

We are therefore proud to be able to offer our families a traditional burial at sea – if that feels like an appropriate and meaningful way to say goodbye. To facilitate this type of burial, we work in conjunction with The Maritime Volunteer Service (MVS) in Eastbourne. With years of experience and a strong maritime heritage, MVS ensures each service is conducted with the utmost care and professionalism.

Currently, burials at sea (for which a marine licence is required) can only take place in three designated burial at sea locations in English waters:

• off The Needles, Isle of Wight

• between Hastings and Newhaven

• off Tynemouth, North Tyneside

Branch Manager, William Rofe, helped one of our families with a burial at sea a little while ago and was so interested in the process, that he now volunteers with the MVS.

“After experiencing a burial at sea, I was keen to discover more about the incredible work the MVS does and I was amazed to find out that their contributions go far beyond this,” says William. “The MVS provides exceptional maritime training, delivered by a dedicated team with a wealth of experience and knowledge. They are always enthusiastic about passing on their skills, nurturing the next generation of seafarers and volunteers.”

“In addition to training, the MVS is deeply involved in charitable and community work - both on and offshore. They support a wide range of maritime and environmental agencies, contributing their time, expertise and resources wherever they’re needed most. Their commitment to service, education and environmental stewardship is truly inspiring and I have immense respect for the role they play in our coastal community.”

Why choose a burial at sea?

·       A natural and respectful alternative to land burial.

·       Conducted in accordance with maritime law and tradition.

·       Supported by experienced MVS Eastbourne crew and vessel.

·       A personal and tranquil setting on the open water.

To find out more about burials at sea, call William on: 01892 611811.