Photo: #Eternal Reefs, a company based in Georgia, mixes ashes with concrete to create artificial reefs. The reefs are placed at the bottom of the sea and become home for marine life.
Photo: #Families can actually help cast the concrete reef balls. They can personalize them with handprints when the concrete is still wet. Once it tries, they can write messages on the surface of the artificial reef. Later, they will head out on boats to watch the reefs being placed in the ocean.
Photo: #The Chicago firm LifeGem will turn your cremated ashes into diamonds.
Photo: #LifeGem produces about 200 diamonds a month. The company can extract enough purified carbon from one human body to synthesize up to 50 one-carat gems.
Photo: #When loved ones die, a company called Angels Flight will incorporate their ashes into memorial fireworks displays.
Photo: #The pyrotechnic funerals are held at Marina del Rey, located north of Los Angeles. Some families go with traditional fireworks shows. Others pick fireworks that explode in the shapes of hearts or smiley faces.
Photo: #The Eternal Ascent Society will send cremated remains up, up and away in beautiful helium-filled balloons.
Photo: #Cremation was once viewed as primarily an option for those who couldn't afford burials and funerals. It was prohibited by the Catholic Church up until 1963, when the Vatican reversed its stance on cremation. The number of people choosing to be cremated has risen ever since. Some have their loved ones' ashes placed in urns. Others try sending them up into the atmosphere in balloons.
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Eternal Reefs, a company based in Georgia, mixes ashes with concrete to create artificial reefs. The reefs are placed at the bottom of the sea and become home for marine life. (Eternal Reefs)
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Death Becomes Us

Throughout history, civilizations have developed ways to deal with and honor the dead. From embalming to cremation, funeral services to burial ceremonies, the rituals of death tell us a lot about the living. What do our customs say about our society? And how do our practices shape the way we view our final fate?

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Death Becomes Us

Sleep with the fishes - and other options for your loved ones

by Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio
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Memorial reefs. Fireworks shows. Diamond rings. These days, there are some pretty interesting places to rest in peace.

St. Paul, Minn. — The Cremation Association of North America predicts that, by the year 2025, 48 percent of Americans will choose to be cremated upon death. A decade ago, just 18 percent went with that option.

As the popularity of cremation grows, so does the number of things you can do with cremated remains.

It seems people are no longer content to place their loved ones' ashes in a nice urn on the mantle. Instead, they're taking the remains of their dearly departed and turning them into diamond pendants. Or they're launching them into lunar orbit aboard a space capsule.

Reporter Nikki Tundel and DJ Mary Lucia talk about some of the more unique ways to honor the dead.

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