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Neptune Memorial Reef – Florida’s bizarre underwater cemetery is reminiscent of the Lost city of Atlantis.

Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef

The Neptune Memorial, also known as the Atlantis Memorial Reef, is an underwater cemetery located three miles off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida.  At over 16 acres in size, it is also the world’s largest man-made reef built to hold the remains of over 125,000 people.  People buried in the Atlantis Memorial Reef are cremated and their ashes mixed with concrete to form 10-pound sculptures of starfish, shells, coral, and other Atlantis-themed shapes.  A copper and bronze memorial plaque, etched with the person’s name, date of birth and death, is then attached to the object which is fixed to the reef to create the “features” that make the underwater cemetery so unique.

The man-made reef opened in 2007 after several difficulties, including three years spent waiting for permits (the Memorial Reef is in international waters).  After the extensive evaluation and permitting process, Neptune’s Memorial Reef was permitted by the EPA, DERM, NOAA, Florida Fish and Wildlife, and the Army Corps of Engineers (but only with a construction requirement that the reef be built to withstand the strongest storms for at least 100 years).

The Memorial Reef, located 40-feet underwater, features underwater roads leading to a central area with benches, arches five stories tall, five-ton columns on 50-ton bases, gates, and statues shaped like seashells, leaping dolphins, chariots, lions, and mythical figures (all containing the cremated remains of loved ones).  Persons wishing to visit their loved ones are permitted to dive to the area and hang around as long as they wish.

The cost for a “burial” in the Atlantis Memorial Reef runs $2,600 for a standard placement of cremated remains. A cremation and placement package runs about $4,000.  Among those who have used the Neptune Society’s unique cremation and undersea burial service is the late Julia Child, the famous television chef.

Check out pictures of the Neptune (Atlantis) Memorial Reef in the picture gallery below.

  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Neptune Memoria Reef
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Abhishek at Neptuna Memorial Reef
  • Abhishek with Dolphins at Neptune Memorial in Miami, USA
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Lion statue at the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • The gates of the Neptune Memorial Reef off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida.
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Neptune memorial reef
  • Starfish from cement with plaque
  • Sundial in Neptune memorial reef
  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Ship carrying structures for the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • Ship lowering structures for the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • New structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef
  • New structures for the Neptune Memorial Reef

Image Credits

In-Article Image Credits

Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Neptune Memoria Reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Abhishek at Neptuna Memorial Reef via Wikimedia Commons by AbhiSuryawanshi with usage type - Creative Commons License. May 12, 2020
Abhishek with Dolphins at Neptune Memorial in Miami, USA via Wikimedia Commons by AbhiSuryawanshi with usage type - Creative Commons License. May 13, 2020
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Lion statue at the Neptune Memorial Reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
The gates of the Neptune Memorial Reef off the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida. via Wikimedia Commons by Elkman with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune Memorial Reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Starfish from cement with plaque via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Sundial in Neptune memorial reef via Wikimedia Commons by Todd Murray with usage type - Creative Commons License. February 19, 2010
Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Ship carrying structures for the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Ship lowering structures for the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
New structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef
New structures for the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef

Featured Image Credit

Structures in the Neptune Memorial Reef via Neptune Memorial Reef

 

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