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Cemetery near Miami is a diving attraction

by Iva Skoch (RSS feed) on May 11th 2008 at 9:30AM

I think I just figured out where I want to be buried when I die. Check out this underwater cemetery, which opened last fall about about 3 miles off the coast of Key Biscayne.

The Neptune Memorial Reef was built as the "perfect final resting spot for those who loved the sea", AP reports. Its creators hope that one day the reef will cover 16 acres and have room for 125,000 remains. The artificial reef's first phase allows for about 850 remains.

In March, the remains of 93-year-old diver Bert Kilbride - who called himself "The Last Pirate of the Caribbean" - were placed atop a column of the reef's main gate, because of his contributions to the sea. Kilbride was named the oldest living scuba diver in this year's Guinness Book of World Records.

I have to tell my Mom about this guy. She might appreciate that he made it to the age of 93, being a diver and all. A fortune-teller once told her that "danger awaits me in the water." Ever since then, she expects I'll get eaten by a shark every time I dive. How cool would it be to get eaten by a shark after you are already dead a buried? I can't wait to tell my Mom about it. Tomorrow. I don't think she would appreciate the sentiment on Mother's Day.

Happy Mother's Day!

[via ABC News]

Filed under: Scuba Diving, North America, United States