Oct 8, 2008 5:28 pm US/Eastern
Eternal Reef Provides New Green Way For Deceased
SHADY SIDE, Md. (WJZ) ―
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A new green idea is providing underwater final resting places for the deceased.
CBS
Not everyone likes the idea of being buried six feet under the ground, but how about being buried in the bottom of the bay? It's a possibility.
Derek Valcourt explains it's a a new green alternative designed to help the environment.
Not everyone would write on a tombstone, but this is no ordinary tombstone.
"It looks like a little fishbowl that has holes in it," said Kim Peterson.
And in a weird way, that's exactly what it will be--a sort of man-made hiding place for fish.
It's called an Eternal Reef. The process is broken down into three steps: casting, viewing and dedication.
Mixed into the concrete of huge coral reef balls are ashes, the cremated remains of a loved one.
"This gives them a way to create something that is environmentally positive that will continue to give back to the world for years to come for future generations," said Don Brawley, Eternal Reefs founder.
It's the first time some family members have seen the memorial reef which will be placed in the Chesapeake Bay to become a home for marine life.
"I just think it's a wonderful idea," said Doris Rickett, whose husband died. "His ashes will be in the bay and they'll be doing something."
The reef is also the final resting place for Ronald Schmidt who loved the water.
"It's better than spreading ashes where you can't come back and see it," said Kim Peterson, Schmidt's cousin. "You're not going to be able to see it when it's down, but you can at least know where it's at, located."
A family's painful loss will become an environmental gain for a better bay.
These families will all be getting on a boat Thursday for a dedication ceremony and then the memorials will be lowered to their final resting place.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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