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St. Paul, Minn.

May 21, 2007 12:00 AM

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

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Eternal Reefs — 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

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.

Gallery

8 of 8

Cremation nation — 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.
Eternal Ascent Society

1 of 8

Undertaking underwater — 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

2 of 8

Thinking outside the urn — 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.
Eternal Reefs

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