The first time a family asks about an ocean memorial, it often starts the same way: with a container on a kitchen table and a question that feels too big for a normal Tuesday. The crematory has returned the ashes. The paperwork is finished. Friends have gone back to work. And now there’s a quiet, steady reality in the home—one that can make people wonder, gently and earnestly, what to do with ashes when “keeping them for now” turns into “keeping them forever.”
That’s why memorial reefs have become such a meaningful option for some families. Instead of scattering, instead of a shelf, and instead of a decision that has to be permanent immediately, an underwater memorial can offer something many people crave in grief: a place that exists in the world, and a sense that love can still do good.
Memorial reefs are not the right fit for every family, and they are not the same as a simple ocean scattering. But when the idea resonates—especially for someone who loved the water, fished, boated, or simply felt most like themselves near the sea—programs like Eternal Reefs can turn a small portion of cremains into part of a marine habitat structure, placed in a permitted reef site. In other words, it’s a way of turning ashes to reef—a living memorial that can be visited, mapped, and remembered.
Why memorial reefs are on more families’ minds now
Cremation has become the most common choice in many communities, which means more families are navigating practical questions about memorialization than ever before. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 63.4% in 2025. The same report projects cremation will continue rising over time. When cremation becomes the default, the “after” questions get louder: Where will the ashes go? What feels respectful? What feels comforting? How do we create something that lasts?
The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) also reports that the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024 and projects further growth. Those trends help explain why families are exploring everything from cremation urns and cremation jewelry to nature-based memorials like reef placement and water burial.
In practice, many families don’t choose just one thing. A common plan is to keep most remains at home in a primary urn, share a small amount in keepsake urns or cremation necklaces, and reserve a small portion for a final ceremony—sometimes at sea, sometimes in a cemetery, and sometimes in a memorial reef.
What a memorial reef actually is (and how “reef balls ashes” works)
A memorial reef is a specially made marine-grade structure designed to support ocean life. The phrase “reef ball” comes from a well-known artificial reef design used in many restoration and habitat projects. In memorial reef programs, a small amount of cremains can be incorporated into the structure as it’s created. Families sometimes describe this as reef balls ashes—but what matters most is the intent: a permanent structure placed in a legally approved ocean location that is meant to become habitat.
Eternal Reefs describes its memorials as being made from environmentally safe, marine-grade concrete and placed only in properly permitted locations. Their own overview materials emphasize that families can incorporate all, some, or none of the cremains into the reef, depending on what the family wants and what the plan is for the rest of the remains. In their “Fast Facts” document, they also note cost ranges and the reality that the family boat trip to the dedication site is typically an additional fee. You can see those details in Eternal Reefs’ Fast Facts summary and their broader family resources, including the Eternal Reefs FAQ.
It’s important to pause here for one practical clarity: memorial reef placement is not the same as scattering ashes at sea. A reef is a permanent structure. It requires permits, marine construction logistics, and coordination with local agencies. A trustworthy provider should be able to explain exactly how their sites are approved, how the placement is documented, and what families can expect afterward—without promising outcomes that nature can’t guarantee.
The process, step by step, in real-world terms
If you’re considering an ocean memorial options plan like a memorial reef, it helps to imagine the process like a timeline rather than a single event. Most families begin by deciding what role the reef will play in their bigger memorial plan. Will it be the primary resting place? Will it include a portion of the cremains while the rest stay with the family? Will multiple relatives share keepsakes?
From there, programs typically guide families through a few key stages: selecting a reef size or donation level, choosing a general region from available permitted sites, creating a memorial plaque, and scheduling a dedication or placement window. Eternal Reefs notes in its FAQ that marine projects can be delayed by weather, equipment, and permitting realities, and that a same-day placement cannot be guaranteed in every situation—an honest detail that families often appreciate when they’re trying to plan travel and expectations.
One of the most comforting parts of a memorial reef for many families is what happens after placement. Eternal Reefs’ FAQ states that families receive memorial certificates with GPS coordinates (longitude and latitude), and that reef sites are public and can be visited for diving, fishing, or boating using those coordinates. That kind of documentation matters. It turns a beautiful idea into a real place you can return to, even if you never set foot on a boat again.
For families who want even more grounding, Funeral.com’s own guide—Eternal Reefs Explained: How Ashes Become Reef Memorials and Ocean Habitats—walks through the emotional and practical differences between reef placement and other sea options, including the permitting question and what “eco-friendly” really means in this context.
Memorial reef cost considerations (and where cremation costs fit in)
When families search memorial reef cost, they often want a simple number. The reality is a little more layered, because the reef is only one part of the total cost picture. First, there is the cremation itself—then there is the memorial reef program fee—and then there may be travel, lodging, and a boat or dedication fee depending on the provider and location.
In Eternal Reefs’ published “Fast Facts,” they state that costs for an Eternal Reef range from $4,000 to $9,000 depending on reef size, and that the family boat trip to the placement and dedication site is an additional fee. (That’s separate from cremation costs, which vary by region and service level.) For families trying to plan responsibly, it can help to read Funeral.com’s updated guide on how much does cremation cost, because understanding the difference between direct cremation and cremation with services can clarify what budget is available for memorialization afterward.
This is also where funeral planning becomes more than paperwork. Planning is how you protect your future self from making rushed decisions during grief. If you’re arranging after a death, it can help to decide what you need now (safe custody of remains and a meaningful next step) versus what can wait (final placement, travel, and any permanent structure timeline). If you’re planning ahead, you can build a plan that makes room for both a family home memorial and an ocean-based legacy.
Memorial reefs vs. water burial: what’s different legally
Families often use the phrase water burial to mean several different things: scattering ashes at sea, placing ashes in a biodegradable urn for ocean placement, or selecting a memorial reef program that places a permanent habitat structure. These are not regulated the same way.
For ocean burial of cremated human remains in U.S. ocean waters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains the baseline rules under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) general permit. The EPA notes that burial at sea of cremated remains must take place no closer than three nautical miles from land, and it also outlines reporting requirements and prohibited materials. The EPA page also makes a point that surprises many pet parents: the MPRSA general permit does not cover non-human remains, including pets. If you are considering sea placement for a pet, you’ll want to ask your provider what local options exist and what rules apply in your area.
Memorial reefs are different because they involve marine construction and permitted artificial reef sites. That’s why one of the most important questions to ask any provider is: Which agencies permit your reef sites, and what documentation can you share that confirms placement is legal and approved? A reputable memorial reef provider should be able to answer this clearly.
What families often do with the rest of the ashes
Even when a family chooses a memorial reef, it’s common to incorporate only a small portion of the cremains. That leaves another tender question: what about the rest? For many households, the most emotionally steady answer is keeping ashes at home—at least for a while. There is no moral deadline on grief, and there is no rule that says you must know the final plan immediately.
If you want practical guidance, Funeral.com’s resources can help you move from uncertainty to a plan that feels respectful. The Journal article Keeping Ashes at Home offers safety and placement tips, while Water Burial Planning helps families understand how to plan a sea-based ceremony responsibly.
From a memorial product standpoint, families often create a “primary + personal” approach. A primary urn holds most remains, and personal memorials hold a small portion for close family members. That can look like:
- a full-sized urn from a collection of cremation urns for ashes for home display or future placement,
- small cremation urns for families who want a smaller footprint or plan to divide remains,
- keepsake urns for sharing among siblings or children,
- and cremation jewelry—including cremation necklaces—for someone who wants a discreet, wearable connection.
Those options aren’t “instead of” a memorial reef. They’re often the supportive structure around it. A reef becomes the legacy at sea, while the urn or keepsake becomes the comfort at home.
When pets are part of the story
Grief has a way of bringing the whole household into the room—even the ones with paws. If a family is memorializing a person who was deeply connected to a beloved animal companion, or if a pet’s loss is its own heartbreak, it’s natural to look for options that honor that bond. Funeral.com offers dedicated collections for pet urns and pet urns for ashes, including pet cremation urns that capture a dog or cat’s likeness through figurine design. For families who want to share a small amount, there are also pet urns for ashes in keepsake sizes that can live quietly beside a photo or collar.
If you’re unsure what size or style makes sense, Funeral.com’s guide Best Pet Cremation Urns: Choosing the Right Dog or Cat Urn Size & Style is written for the moment when your heart wants to do right by your pet, but your brain is exhausted from decisions.
Questions to ask before choosing an “eternal reefs” style memorial
Because a memorial reef is both emotional and logistical, the “right” provider will make you feel calmer, not pressured. As you evaluate options like eternal reefs, memorial reef programs, or other habitat-based placements, these are the questions that tend to protect families from surprises:
- Where will the reef be placed, and what permits cover that site? Ask for the general location and which agencies are involved.
- What documentation will we receive afterward? Many families want GPS coordinates, certificates, and photos; confirm what is included.
- What costs are included—and what costs are separate? Clarify program fees versus dedication boat trips, travel, and timing.
- How does scheduling work if weather or equipment delays happen? A clear explanation is a sign of professionalism.
- How much cremains are used, and can we reserve some for home memorials? This is especially important if you also want an urn or jewelry.
If you’re still deciding what combination of memorials fits your family, Funeral.com’s broader guide what to do with ashes can be a helpful bridge. It’s written for the in-between stage—when you’re not ready for a final answer, but you’re ready for gentle, practical options.
How reef memorials fit into a larger funeral planning story
There’s a myth that memorial decisions should feel obvious. Many families don’t experience that. Instead, they experience a slow gathering of meaning: “He loved the ocean.” “She always wanted to give back.” “We want a place we can point to on a map.” A memorial reef can hold that meaning beautifully, but it doesn’t have to carry everything on its own.
Sometimes the most compassionate plan is a layered one: a primary urn that stays with the family for now, a few shared keepsakes for the people who need them, maybe cremation jewelry for someone who wants closeness in daily life, and then an ocean-based placement when the timing is right. That approach is still thoughtful, still respectful, and often more realistic than forcing a single “forever” decision in the rawest weeks of grief.
If you’re in that space, it may help to start with the simplest step: choose a safe, dignified container for home. Browse Funeral.com’s cremation urns collection for a primary option, and keep keepsake urns in mind if sharing is likely. If wearable memorials feel right, the Funeral.com Journal guide cremation jewelry guide can help you understand how pieces are filled, sealed, and worn in real life—without turning your decision into a sales pitch.
And if your heart keeps returning to the sea, you don’t have to explain that to anyone. Some people belong to the water. A reef memorial simply gives that belonging a way to continue.
FAQs about memorial reefs, urns, and keeping ashes at home
-
How does a memorial reef differ from scattering ashes at sea?
Scattering is a one-time ceremony, while a memorial reef is a permanent, permitted structure placed at an approved ocean site. The U.S. EPA outlines baseline rules for burial at sea of cremated human remains (including the three nautical mile requirement), but reef placement involves additional permits and marine construction logistics through an artificial reef program.
-
Do families get a way to “visit” a reef memorial later?
Many programs provide documentation such as GPS coordinates, certificates, and photos. Eternal Reefs states in its FAQ that families receive memorial certificates with GPS coordinates and that sites are public reef areas that can be visited by boat, divers, or anglers using those coordinates.
-
How much does an Eternal Reefs-style memorial reef cost?
Costs vary by reef size and what is included. Eternal Reefs’ published Fast Facts states that costs range from $4,000 to $9,000 depending on reef size, and notes the family boat trip to the placement and dedication site is an additional fee. Cremation costs are separate and vary by location and service level.
-
Is keeping ashes at home okay if we aren’t ready to decide?
Yes. Many families keep ashes at home temporarily or long-term, especially while they plan travel or coordinate a future ceremony. The practical keys are keeping the container sealed, stable, and protected from humidity, heat, and accidental knocks—especially with children or pets in the home.
-
Can we use only a small portion of ashes for the reef and keep the rest in an urn?
Often, yes. Eternal Reefs states in its Fast Facts that they can use all, some, or none of the cremated remains to create the memorial. Many families keep the remaining ashes in a primary urn, share a small amount in keepsake urns, or use cremation jewelry for a personal remembrance.
