As if shooting a loved one's ashes into space or pressing them into artificial diamonds were not sufficiently offbeat, relatives of the deceased now can have their ashes mixed into concrete to help form ocean habitats.
A Georgia company has placed about 200 of the concrete cones, called "reef balls," in the ocean, mostly along the Gulf Coast. Last week, it interred cones filled with the ashes of several people about seven miles off the shore as part of the Great Egg Reef.
Don Brawley, an accomplished diver, came up with the idea of turning artificial reefs into memorials, and founded Eternal Reefs with George Frankel in 2001.
"Most states with reef programs buy artificial reefs," Frankel said. "We like to think that we're buying public reef balls with private money."
Burying a loved one's ashes in a reef ball can cost $1,000 to $5,000. Decatur, Ga.-based Eternal Reefs also has two models for pets, for $400 and $500.
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A Georgia company has placed about 200 of the concrete cones, called "reef balls," in the ocean, mostly along the Gulf Coast. Last week, it interred cones filled with the ashes of several people about seven miles off the shore as part of the Great Egg Reef.
Don Brawley, an accomplished diver, came up with the idea of turning artificial reefs into memorials, and founded Eternal Reefs with George Frankel in 2001.
"Most states with reef programs buy artificial reefs," Frankel said. "We like to think that we're buying public reef balls with private money."
Burying a loved one's ashes in a reef ball can cost $1,000 to $5,000. Decatur, Ga.-based Eternal Reefs also has two models for pets, for $400 and $500.
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