Incredible photos of an underwater coral reef memorial where cremated human remains are buried

A Texas couple’s final resting place is buried along the ocean floor off the coast of southern Florida in a unique underwater mausoleum, which is now home to more than a thousand cremated human remains. 

Ever since The Neptune Memorial Reef, a man-made reef located roughly three miles east of Kay Biscayne, Florida, opened in 2007 thousands of family members have opted to have their loved ones buried among the structures. 

The reef is described as underwater memorial site for the dearly departed who loved spending time in the ocean. The first phase of the Neptune Memorial Reef project is designed to resemble the lost city of Atlantis with lion statues, large columns, podiums and a gate – all built 40 feet deep.

More than 1,000 cremated human remains are buried in The Neptune Memorial Reef. A lion sculpture is sits among parts for a new section of the Neptune Memorial Reef near Miami Beach, Florida

The reef, which opened in 2007, is modeled after the lost city of Atlantis. Pictured is one of the concrete structures of the Neptune Memorial Reef 

The reef, which opened in 2007, is modeled after the lost city of Atlantis. Pictured is one of the concrete structures of the Neptune Memorial Reef 

The reef was also built to be environmentally sound. The concrete structures are built to withstand a category 4 hurricane and offer a high pH level, enabling sea creatures to flourish 

The reef was also built to be environmentally sound. The concrete structures are built to withstand a category 4 hurricane and offer a high pH level, enabling sea creatures to flourish 

The Neptune Memorial Reef, which is built 40 feet deep, was designed to resemble to lost city of Atlantis, its developers said

The Neptune Memorial Reef, which is built 40 feet deep, was designed to resemble to lost city of Atlantis, its developers said

The structures are all made out of artificial reef material. Family members can have their loved one's cremated remains buried in the structure 

The structures are all made out of artificial reef material. Family members can have their loved one’s cremated remains buried in the structure 

The reef, located roughly three miles east of Kay Biscayne, is free and snorkelers and scuba divers are allowed to visit it 

The reef, located roughly three miles east of Kay Biscayne, is free and snorkelers and scuba divers are allowed to visit it 

Scattered along the ocean floor of the ‘reef city’ are starfish and other man-made memorial plagues to honor the dead. Family members also have the option of creating memorial plagues in the reef structure itself. 

According to the reef’s operations director Jim Hustlar, family members can have their loved one’s cremated remains mixed into the materials used to create the artificial reef. Divers will then deploy a new piece to the reef, marked by a memorial plague bearing the person’s name, dates and a epitaph.

Last month, Buel and Linda Payne became the latest to have their plague added to the underwater memorial. So far, the Neptune Memorial Reef is home to the cremated remains of 1,500 people.

The Paynes will be the first to be memorialized in the reef’s expansion site, which opened this summer and will make room for an additional 4,000 memorials over 16 acres.

‘I really didn’t get it when (my mom) was telling me about it and the more and more I think about it, it’s really a nice, peaceful spot for your last resting place,’ Daniel Payne told the Associated Press.

The Payne family created a memorial plaque for Buel and Linda Payne, to be added the Neptune Memorial Reef

The Payne family created a memorial plaque for Buel and Linda Payne, to be added the Neptune Memorial Reef

Jim Hutslar, operations director for Neptune Memorial Reef, prepares to install a memorial plaque for Buel and Linda Payne 

Jim Hutslar, operations director for Neptune Memorial Reef, prepares to install a memorial plaque for Buel and Linda Payne 

The family had the plague added to a cement baluster on one of the columns at the Neptune Memorial Reef 

The family had the plague added to a cement baluster on one of the columns at the Neptune Memorial Reef 

Hulstar and Will Payne take a look at the plague for Will's parents Buel and Linda Payne. Will said his mother always wanted to be buried down there 

Hulstar and Will Payne take a look at the plague for Will’s parents Buel and Linda Payne. Will said his mother always wanted to be buried down there 

‘It’s just amazing. It’s so peaceful,’ his brother Will added. ‘If there is a heaven, that would be it for them.’ 

The reef is free and any snorkeler or scuba diver can visit.

Plagues start around $1,500 and can go up to $8,000. The priciest plagues are for specialized shapes likes sea turtles and stingrays placed on the ocean floor and memorial plagues added to the city’s structures, like the lions.

The Paynes had their parents’ memorial affixed to a cement baluster attached to one of the columns. 

Hustlar said the reef has been therapeutic for some people as they make end-of-life plans for their loved ones.

He told the Associated Press that a lot of families feel a sense of healing when they resurface from watching divers install the plagues.       

‘You can watch something wash away,’ he said.

The reef was also built to be environmentally sound. The concrete structures are built to withstand a category 4 hurricane and offer a high pH level, enabling sea creatures to flourish.

‘We’re seeing animals here that we haven’t seen before. Ones that have been missing for a long time,’ Hutslar said. ‘We actually found a long spine sea urchin that was considered extinct in the Caribbean Sea.’

A seashell memorial plague at the bottom of the Neptune Memorial Reef in honor of Joseph and Elizabeth Del Principe 

A seashell memorial plague at the bottom of the Neptune Memorial Reef in honor of Joseph and Elizabeth Del Principe 

The family of Dalton French had a memorial plague made in the shape of a starfish. The plagues are made by mixing the person's cremated remains with the material used to create the man-made reef

The family of Dalton French had a memorial plague made in the shape of a starfish. The plagues are made by mixing the person’s cremated remains with the material used to create the man-made reef

A new section of the Neptune Memorial Reef opened this summer, making way for an additional 4,000 memorial sites  

A new section of the Neptune Memorial Reef opened this summer, making way for an additional 4,000 memorial sites  

The Neptune Memorial Reef was designed after the lost city of Atlantis. It was built to withstand a category 4 hurricane 

The Neptune Memorial Reef was designed after the lost city of Atlantis. It was built to withstand a category 4 hurricane 

Hustlar said the reef has been therapeutic for some people as they make end-of-life plans for their loved ones

Hustlar said the reef has been therapeutic for some people as they make end-of-life plans for their loved ones

Plagues at The Neptune Memorial Reef  start around $1,500 and can go up to $8,000 

Plagues at The Neptune Memorial Reef  start around $1,500 and can go up to $8,000 

 



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