Company offers new idea for ocean burial

Published 5:00 pm Sunday, August 31, 2008

It’s not something most people want to think about, but planning for death can be a life-changing experience.

For Rick and Kris Young, developing Twin Rocks Undersea Memorial is the fulfillment of a dream. The business launched a few months ago.

Unlike services that scatter ashes in the ocean, Undersea Memorial buries cremated remains in obelisks and places them on the sea floor permanently. It is the first such service on the West Coast, according to the Youngs.

“It’s something I’ve been holding in my heart for 15 years,” said Kris, who became interested in the idea after reading about a company on the east coast that provided a similar service.

Then, when her husband, Rick, had a near fatal car accident almost four years ago, Kris decided it was time to pursue that dream. They moved to Twin Rocks at Rockaway Beach and began the arduous process of getting state and federal approval to begin their business.

The Youngs place cremated remains inside individually crafted obelisks. The obelisks, 30 inches square at the base, 30 inches high and weighing three-quarters of a ton, are taken by a fishing boat and placed 150 feet into the ocean a few miles from Twin Rocks. The weight and square bottom will prevent the obelisk from moving on the ocean floor, the Youngs said.

Composed of a special cement recipe to ensure durability under seawater, the obelisk has rough edges so sea life, such as seaweed and starfish, can adhere to its surface. The obelisks are placed in areas where no fishing is allowed and outside locations where marine reserves may be proposed.

The obelisks could act “almost as a life preserver” for oceans by attracting sea life and preventing oxygen-depleted “dead zones” that are creeping into the seas, said Rick. “Sea life craves hard points to attach to,” he added.

“We’re trying to better the environment and increase habitat,” Kris said.

Families are given the obelisk’s GPS coordinates and can visit the area by charter boat.

The cost is $3,750, which includes receiving the remains, creating the monument and a plaque, a marble capstone and placement. Up to four sets of cremated remains can be placed in an obelisk for a higher cost. Reservations for placements of obelisks near loved ones can also be made, Kris said.

The area approved for placement is about a square mile. “We’re not going to run out of space for a long time,” she added.

The Twin Rocks give loved ones a land base as a point of reference for knowing where the obelisks are buried, noted Rick.

“Having a place to go is an important part of the ritual,” Kris added. “Families need a place to visit. I feel really strongly that this is a good thing to do.”

Kris’ love for the ocean began when she visited her grandparents in Cannon Beach as a child.

“I felt a connection to the ocean,” she said. “This is what I want to do to better the earth and the ocean.”

Web site: twinrocksunderseamemorial.com