A Watery Grave – The Neptune Memorial Reef™
Located just over 3 miles of the Florida coastal area of Key Biscayne lies the Neptune Memorial Reef™. Its 40 feet deep crystal-clear waters is home to more than 140 different species of marine life in what has become the most bio diverse waters in the state of Florida, with a multitude of marine life which continues to grow exponentially. The 16-acre site, which will ultimately provide a final resting place for over 250,000 people is attracting attention from marine biologists, environmentalists, scuba divers and ocean enthusiasts from across the globe.
Designed and built by the well-known sculpture artist Kim Brandell, the Neptune Memorial Reef™ is an artistic representation of the Lost City of Atlantis. Every individual part of the reef is engineered by a marine biologist ensuring that every texture, profile, depth and angle is created to support the ecosystem. It is indeed an awesome achievement that the reef, having now attracted 14 different species of reef-building coral it can be officially classified as a coral reef. A marine study conducted by the Department of Environmental Resource Management concluded that marine life around the Reef went from nearly zero to thousands in its first two years.
The reef is certified by the Green Burial Council as an alternative to burial which is ecologically friendly. Memorialization placements in the Reef are created by carefully blending cremated remains with a natural concrete substance, which is then molded and secured within the Reef’s architectural elements, complete with an engraved memorial plaque. The structures have produced a marine habitat to promote coral and marine organism’s growth while creating the ultimate ‘Green Burial’ opportunity.
With recent trends seeing a massive sway to more ecologically friendly “green” burials could this reef be the way forward for those seeking a celebration of life and departure from the more traditional style of funeral?
The reef is open to all to visit and it is a place many families find great comfort from visiting the final resting place of their loved ones in such beautiful surroundings. For more information about this exceptional place please click here.
With great thanks to the Neptune Memorial Reef™ press office for kindly supplying us with some of the information and all of the photos for this article. www.nmreef.com