Tech T.I.P. - 8/4/2011

Life After Life

By Denise Olson

Imagine a columbarium that creates life. You'll find one in the waters off Key Biscayne, Florida. The Neptune Memorial Reef is building a beautiful underwater memorial that is also an artificial reef.  Concrete forms such as columns, wall sections and shells are cast using the ashes of the deceased and then placed on the reef with brass plaques providing the inscriptions.  The structures have been designed to promote coral growth. It is already attracting a lot of fascinating marine life. The reef is easily accessible to divers and is a frequent destination. 

While the reef gives you the impression of the ruins of a lost civilization, in reality you are looking at some very impressive technology. The structures aren't just a columbarium or a diving destination, they are helping to keep the waters around south Florida alive and well.

As you can see in the video below, the results are beautiful.  So now, after you pass you can create "life after life".

Denise B. Olson * Moultrie Creek
St. Augustine, Florida
Email: moultriecreek@yahoo.com * Skype: moultriecreek