#WeirdNews - British Startup Pitches Reefs Made from Human Ashes to Revive Ocean Life

Scott Way
7 hours ago
2 min read

A UK-based startup is offering a peculiar approach to marine conservation -- turning human ashes into reef-like structures to revive damaged British seabeds.

The company, called Resting Reef, creates “reef memorials” by mixing cremated remains with natural materials to build artificial reefs. These are then placed sunken down the seabed where they provide a foundation for marine life to colonize, grow, and regenerate the seabed.

The results since the company began three years ago show some serious results -- a pilot project in Bali in 2024 attracted 46 new marine species to the location and achieved four times more biodiversity than areas nearby that were struggling.

The process is called aquamation, and its an alkaline process for cremation combining remains with crushed oyster shells and concrete, which is then molded into structures to resemble reefs that offer refuge to fish and other small marine life.

“Cemeteries should be places that reconnect us with nature and remind us that we’re part of a larger ecosystem,” Resting Reef co-founder Aura Murillo Pérez told The Guardian.

“It’s time for the death industry to change: we want to shift the industry from focusing on death to life and regenerate growth.”

Each memorial weighs about 100 kg (220 lbs) and features a porous surface that encourages marine life, like corals, shellfish, and seaweeds, to latch on and begin colonizing. The structures are placed in legally approved areas where seabeds have been degraded by activities like trawling and dredging.

The UK has lost up to 85% of some marine habitats, according to scientists, with various causes being blamed including boat traffic, dredging, and commercial fishing.

“Oyster reefs can help regenerate marine growth but 85% have been lost due to human activities. We are using animal and human ashes to mimic those natural reefs,” Murillo Perez told The Guardian.

The company works in collaboration with marine ecologists to identify needed areas where the reefs will benefit the local environment. According to Sacred Sea, every placement is monitored to study how marine life interacts with the reefs and how it develops over time.

While burials at sea are a well-known aspect of some maritime cultures and groups, Resting Reef hopes to give those who have passed an ability to create a unique memorial and both preserve and grow their local waterway.

“In just six months, the reefs are already covered with coralline and turf algae, laying the groundwork for future coral growth,” Resting Reef said in a social media post.

The startup’s first installations are off the coast of Cornwall, England and the company hopes to expand to other areas across the UK, including Scotland and the North Sea.

“The project has received support from the whole community here, including the king’s harbour master, because it will potentially boost diving tourism and fishing, while aligning with the Plymouth Sound national marine park’s goals to re-engage the public with marine life," Peter Holt, director and co-founder of the Plymouth-based Ships Project, told The Guardian.

Prices to be memorialized by Resting Reef start around £350 ($475 USD) and can go up to £2,250 ($3,050 USD), depending on the size, complexity, and location of the reef site.

You can see how Resting Reef works in the video below: