Sea grave coral bowl: How to bury to save the blue sea

In 1998, the father-in-law of Don Brawley – the founder of Eternal Reefs Company passed away.

The Perpetual Coral Cemetery is part of the restoration and restoration of the marine environment. “As soon as I received his ashes from the crematorium, I suddenly thought about what it would be like to let him lie on the bottom of his favorite ocean, becoming a beautiful part of the ocean ecosystem,” recalls Brawley. Efforts to save corals Eternal Reefs is a funeral company based in Florida (USA). It is famous for the most “beautiful” burial method, which contributes to the regeneration of the marine ecosystem. The beginning of Eternal Reefs is quite simple. In the late 1980s, a pair of scuba diving friends, Don Brawley and Todd Barber, of the University of Georgia noticed that coral reefs were deteriorating. They decided to do something to stop the decline and quickly recover. After much discussion and design, Brawley and Barber were satisfied with the initiative of Reef balls. They use natural materials that both have good cohesion and attract marine life, molded into an upside-down, hollow bowl shape, with many circular holes all around. These holes allow water to pass through, avoiding being knocked over by the waves and allowing animals to get in and out. A bowl of coral can weigh from 800 – 4,000 pounds (360 – 1,800kg), sink and settle on the seabed forever. Its structure acts as a home for small animals, immediately attracting them to swim in. After just a few weeks, the artificially implanted coral tissues on the surface of the bowl grew, turning the bare bowl frame into a lively, eye-catching cluster of coral. Sea creatures flock to each other, forming diverse natural habitats. Immediately after its introduction, the coral bowl has become the most effective solution to save the ocean ecosystem. As of 2020, more than 70 countries have applied it to about 5,000 marine restoration projects, placing over 750,000 bowls across the ocean. Perfect submerged cemetery Family members are encouraged to make their own bowls of coral reefs. In early 1998, Brawley’s father-in-law, Carleton “Petey” Glen Palmer, died. During his life, Palmer was extremely fond of the sea, always wishing after death to still see the ocean floor. “Spray my ashes into the sea, where there are plenty of snapper and grouper,” he left a testament to Brawley. While sitting in memory of his father-in-law in front of the urn recently received from the crematorium, Brawley suddenly had a strange idea. That is to mix the ashes with the coral bowl casting mixture and start immediately. On May 1, 1998, Brawley buried his father-in-law and nine pioneers with a bowl of coral in Sarasota Beach, Florida. The first human ashes coral cemetery was born, after only a few months, it became a beautiful part of the underwater landscape. Or believe, sea lovers race to enjoy diving. Former marines, marine environmentalists, fishermen, divers, etc. who are about to be “near land far from heaven” warmly welcome Eternal Reefs. The sea grave coral bowl quickly became popular. Eternal Reefs allows and encourages bereaved families to participate in the process of making coral bowls, carving tombstones, launching… The location of the sea grave coral bowl is the reef area that has been designated for ecological restoration. In addition to the burial coral bowls, ordinary coral bowls are also placed, serving the regeneration of the marine environment. “2nd Life” After only a few months, the bowl of sea coral has turned into a home for a large number of sea creatures. On average each year, Eternal Reefs contributes 120 – 150 bowls of sea coral in thousands of artificial coral bowls. Depending on the size, the cost for a bowl of sea grave coral ranges from 4,000 – 7,500 USD (about 91 – 170 million VND). Eternal Reefs does not limit the number of ashes in a bowl of coral, so the bereaved can choose to bury one or more people. They are also allowed to attach memorial objects to the coral bowl, but must ensure that it is environmentally friendly. During the process of bringing the bowl of coral to the sea and launching it, the bereaved family can combine a farewell ceremony. Once placed on the seabed, the bowl of sea coral will stay in place forever. Relatives of the deceased have the right to visit, but are not allowed to move or collect. In recent years, in addition to those who work in the sea-related industry, Eternal Reefs also welcomes many other customers. Among these, there are many people who are parents who have met the fate of “silver-headed and green-headed”. They are too pitiful, want their lost child to have a second life and find salvation in the bowl of coral reefs. Compared with 750,000 bowls of artificial coral placed all over the seabed, the bowl of sea grave coral only accounts for a small number. However, Brawley believes it will make a big difference in burial customs around the world. In fact, the world is filled with more and more people who don’t want to rest in traditional ways. With the exception of marine grave coral bowls, many other ecological burial methods have also captured the attention. For example, composting corpses into soil, hydrolysis, releasing ashes into space…