Alternative Funerals

Lasting Memories

Planning a funeral is undeniably difficult. It’s emotional, unfamiliar and complicated. Doing some thinking in advance can make the process easier when the time comes. Plus a little forethought is a great way to learn about funeral options you may not have considered. If is sustainability is important to you, the greenest coffin you can buy is the one you don't buy. Embalming and caskets are not necessary and it is perfectly legal to be buried in a simple cloth shroud. After all, a traditionally scripted burial in a hardwood casket may not be the best fit for everyone

We started researching funeral alternatives and found a number of extraordinary ways to celebrate life and memorialize a loved one. They may be unconventional, but that’s what makes them so special.

However, a land burial does not speak to everyone, so you may consider a burial at sea. Great Burial Reef makes artificial reefs with an inside chamber that’s designed to hold cremated remains. Placed on the ocean floor, the reef becomes a living underwater ecosystem that could be the ideal resting place for an ocean lover or environmentalist (they’re also suitable for fresh water and land burials).

Keepsakes can provide comfort for people mourning a loss. Memory Glass creates orbs, touchstones and pendants that suspend a small portion of a loved one’s cremated remains in glass. They are designed to keep the memory of the loved one or even a pet close.

Similarly, LifeGem creates a memorial diamond from the carbon in cremation ashes or a lock of hair and compresses it into a diamond. LifeGem’s technology replicates the natural diamond-making process but speeds it up to produce a diamond in just 6 to 9 months and offers a wide selection of cut, carat, and color.

There are unusual, interesting and amazing ways to honor someone special. Choosing one that fits your personality or that of a loved one can make it easier to find comfort during a difficult time.

— Ann

* Free shipping on orders in the continental US only. Does not apply to the cost of the customer mailing in cremated remains for the Unattended Placement option from Great Burial Reef.

Due to the personal nature of these products, they are not returnable. Any issues will be worked out directly with the customer on a case-by-case basis.

• Great Burial Reefs®:
  
  • Urns are made to order
  • Handcrafted from 100% natural concrete and other natural ingredients
  • Designed to withstand almost any ocean natural phenomenon and marine traffic
  • Living Urn™ weighs between 80 lbs; dimensions: 12” tall x 19” wide -
  • Classic™ Urn weighs 600 lbs; Dimensions: 26” tall x 44” wide International orders are accepted, please contact us for shipping prices.
  • Families typically purchase at the time of need
  
  
  • Unattended Ocean Placement: - You will receive directions by email on how to send in your loved one’s cremated remains
  • Once Great Burial Reef® receives your loved one’s cremated remains, they will seal them within either the Classic or the Living Urn’s protected Care Chamber™ and place the reef in The Great Burial Reef® Sarasota, FL - You will then receive the precise GPS coordinates of the reef’s final resting place
  • Attended Placement: - Great Burial Reef® will reach out to you to arrange ocean placement ceremony including when, where, and how many people will be in attendance.

• Living reef™only:
  • Design for placement on the ocean floor
  • Also suitable for fresh water and land burial
  • Allow up to 3 weeks to make and ship
  • Check with local jurisdiction for guidelines, restrictions, and regulations for Living Urn™ placement.
  • Includes: Living Urn™ and Heart Seal™, 1 tube of heavy duty marine-grade adhesive, reusable shipping box with additional sealing tape for traveling, Sharpie® markers for inscribing farewell messages, and sealing instructions

• Memory Glass:
  
  • Cremated remains suspended in glass
  • Only 1/4 tsp. cremated remains is required per piece
  • Do not purchase until you are ready to send in cremated remains
  • Free Shipping Kit will be sent to you via Fedex ground.
  • This kit has everything you need to securely send cremated remains to Memory Glass.
  • Once Memory Glass receives the kit, the process takes 2-4 weeks.
  • Made by Glass Artists in Santa Barbara, California
  • Ships to Canada
  • Small Galaxy Orbs: Diameter: Approx. 2.5" ball Weight: 1-2 lbs Large
  • Galaxy Orbs: Diameter: Approx. 4" ball Weight: 2-4lbs
  • Pendent Necklaces: - Roughly the size of three stacked quarters - Includes a black leather cord
  • Touchstones: - Roughly the diameter of a silver dollar and about 1/4 inch thick. Comes w/ black 3D Suspension Box

• LifeGem Diamonds:
  
  • Wide selection of cut, carat and color.
  • Prices start at $2,490.
  • Loose diamonds made from carbon that LifeGem extracts from cremated remains or a lock of hair.
  • Free Shipping Kit will be sent to you via UPS next day air.
  • This kit has everything you need to securely overnight cremated remains to LifeGem by Registered US Mail. - Only 8 ounces (200 grams) of cremated remains is needed.
  • Do not purchase until you are ready to send in cremated remains.
  • Your credit card will not be charged until you send back in order form
  • It takes 6 to 9 months to create a LifeGem diamond.
  • Throughout the process, you will be notified via email when major milestones during the process have been completed.
  • Once you receive the finished diamond, you can take it to your local jeweler to be set.
  • Independently recognized as genuine by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) -Certified for authenticity by a graduate of the GIA
  • Comes with stamped LifeGem certificate showing carat weight, overall dimensions, color, clarity, polish, and symmetry
  • Made in IL
  • Ships to Canada