The Neptune Society Memorial Reef

Entrance lion statue to the Neptune Memorial. Image from seawayblog.com.

The Neptune Memorial Reef is a culmination of two intersecting trends in America’s funeral industry: the increasing statistic of cremation in America, as well as a growing interest in environmentally conscious burials. Located several miles from the Key Biscayne in Miami, FL, the Neptune Society — a crematory service — has constructed one of the largest man-made marine reefs in the world. Among this reef is a funereal monument built with underwater pathways and statuary, where the remains of hundreds of people lay at rest.

The process of burial at the Neptune Memorial is unique, where ashes are mixed in with non-porous cement and molded into the design chosen by the deceased. These vessels are formed into aquatic shapes, such as seashells and other marine life. A bronze plaque is then fastened to the receptacle to identify the person enshrined.

The centerpiece. Image from neptunesociety.com.

The surviving relatives may travel by boat to be present for the placing of their loved one’s remains in the underwater memorial,  where they are afforded the chance to dive down 40 feet to visit the final resting place. The Neptune Memorial Reef is open to the public; it is accessible to those who are familiar with its deceased members, as well as other visitors, like recreational divers, who wish to behold the wonder and majesty of the Atlantean grave.

The memorial’s plan is symmetrically designed, where the centerpiece is a large urn placed squarely between four benches. One enters the site through a swinging gate, where they are greeted by steps leading to a platform, flanked by two classically rendered lions, and a pillared square supporting stone garlands.

A cremation receptacle in the shape of a starfish. Image from aquaviews.net.

The cremation receptacles are placed in radiating arrangements that surround the central structure. Since this is all built into an actual reef, it is alive with activity — from seaweed growing out from the masonry to schools of fish that inhabit its environs. The atmosphere lends itself to mythological heights; teeming with sea life, the memorial’s ancient appearance belies its recent age.

The reef itself has transformed a barren 16 acres of sea floor into an underwater wilderness, where diverse species of animals have returned in abundance. As much a restoration project as it is a burial site, the Neptune Memorial Reef works in compliance with nature, whose bounty exceeds the designated man-made plot to benefit the world beyond.

Image from coralmorphologic.com.

For Further Reading:

Visit the Neptune Memorial Reef website.
Watch this Travel Channel video on the reef.
Look at more pictures of the Neptune Memorial Reef on Pinterest.

Related articles

• Neptune Memorial Reef An Underwater Cemetery (mytechnologyworld9.blogspot.com)
• The Reef (lightslant.wordpress.com)