Underwater Cemetery Planned Near Cancún for Eco Burials

Cancún, MX — The company “Capillas y Cementerios del Norte, S.A.P.I. de C. V.,” through its subsidiary “Señoriales Corporación de Servicio,” is seeking approval for its Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) to construct an underwater cemetery in the marine zone of Bahía de Mujeres and the Immediate Coastal Zone of the Caribbean Sea. The project, which will not involve burying corpses but rather the ashes of cremated individuals, aims to create artificial reefs and has requested a permit valid for 500 years.

Project Details and Environmental Goals

The proposed “MARE Santuario del Mar” will consist of 997 niches for placing ashes at a maximum depth of three meters. Due to the clarity of the white sandy seabed, the structures will remain visible. According to information released by Mexico’s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) through the General Directorate of Environmental Impact and Risk (Dgira), the project is described as “an innovative and sustainable alternative for the final disposition of cremation ashes, promoting a balance between human needs and marine environmental preservation.”

The initiative will incorporate “Reef Balls” and “Memorial Pearls” to create a positive legacy for future generations by fostering marine biodiversity and environmental awareness. Reef Balls are concrete modules designed to simulate artificial reefs, developed by the nonprofit Reef Ball Foundation, which specializes in rehabilitating marine reef ecosystems worldwide.

Ecological Benefits and Investment

The company plans to strategically place 700 Mini Bay Ball Reef Ball units across three designated marine polygons to maximize environmental benefits. These structures will serve as habitats for marine biodiversity, including corals, sponges, and other organisms, while alleviating pressure on deteriorating natural reefs.

The total estimated cost of the project is 4,574,215 pesos, covering the purchase of concrete structures (priced at 2,000 pesos per unit), their submersion, and other activities outlined in the investment plan.

Burial Process and Visitor Participation

Families will participate in the burial process, which involves mixing ashes with cement to form memorial structures. Relatives may observe the placement from a boat or choose to dive to the site. The procedure includes:

1. Transporting the Memorial Pearl to the Reef Ball site with the assistance of divers.
2. Verifying the Reef Ball is free of slow-moving marine fauna before placement.
3. Securing the Memorial Pearl inside the Reef Ball.
4. Relocating any displaced marine life back to the structure.

Multiple vessels will be required for these operations, with one dedicated to the placement team and others for attending family members. No offerings or objects will be permitted in the water.

Existing Underwater Cemeteries

Similar projects exist elsewhere, including one in Progreso, Yucatán, located six kilometers offshore, which doubles as a coral and fish habitat. Another, the Neptune Memorial Reef in Key Biscayne, Florida, has been under construction since 2007 and is designed to resemble the mythical kingdom of Neptune.

The proposed “MARE Santuario del Mar” represents a novel approach to memorial services while contributing to marine conservation efforts in Quintana Roo.