We often don’t think about how our own deaths are killing the planet. Just in the US, 100 million acres of land is deforested, 1.6 million tons of cement and steel are used to build graves and 20 million litres of toxic liquids seep into the groundwater every year. Therefore, how can we redefine death as being positive to the environment, and our resting places as meaningful?

RCA graduates Louise Lenborg Skajem and Aura Elena Murillo Pérez have developed “Resting Reefs” , a project that aims to provide a “meaningful funeral service”. At the same time, it regenerates marine biodiversity, sequesters carbon, filters water, and prevents coastal erosion. By creating oyster reef structures – 85% of them have been lost due to human activities – a crucial element of marine life while giving people a meaningful place to rest.

The urns or “oyster capsules” are artificial reef structures made from ashes and crushed discarded oyster shells from restaurants that can be 3d printed in customisable shapes. “The oyster capsules hold up to 100 oysters and after 3 years they will have captured 2.4 million kg of CO2. One oyster can filter 200 litres of water a day, so every year each structure can filter around 7 million litres.”

“Resting Reef is also redefining how people perceive, interact, and face death. We are designing new rituals and ways of remembrance that enable deeper connections with ourselves, our deceased loved ones, and the marine environment.”