The Great Burial Reef

The Great Burial Reef -

An Alternative to Standard Cremation
Gorton-Menard Funeral Home is proud to be partnered with the Great Burial Reef, an alternative to land cremation burial. The information on this website will assist you in creating a lasting legacy for your family, and for our planet, by allowing you to choose cremation urn burial at sea in a living coral reef.  Watch A Video

Burial Reefs have been constructed and pre-placed on the ocean floor in groups, making it possible for us to perform burials at anytime.

The Great Burial Reef, located in Sarasota, Florida is located 1.8 miles west of Lido Key, 30 feet below the surface of the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Reefs are constructed and pre-placed on the ocean floor in groups, allowing us to perform burials based on your family's schedule.

At the time of need, scuba divers seal the cremation urn inside the multi-ton natural concrete reef memorial under a thick concrete cover. A marker with the name and life dates of the person being honored is affixed to the cover, and the precise GPS coordinates of the Reef Memorial are recorded.

The optional family participation service offers an opportunity to witness the burial and say good-bye with a beautiful and moving yacht-board experience.

Burial at Sea in a Living Coral Reef
The burial at sea is performed by certified scuba divers, and includes a cremation urn, memorial marker, and GPS coordinates of your loved one’s final resting place. Private and couples Reef Memorials available - please call for information and pricing.

Witness the Burial - Private Family Experience
Includes a private luxury yacht service for up to ten guests departing from Marina Jack, Sarasota (after full military honors, if applicable), gourmet food and beverages, flowers, music, customized dedication ceremony, professional photography and videography (including underwater video of burial), personalized DVDs of the entire experience for each participant, and a web tribute page. We will also help coordinate travel, and accommodations at your request. Nominal fee for additional guests and for family members who wish to participate as divers.

You may purchase the Great Burial Reef services directly through us by calling our office at any time at 401-821-7306. You may also contact us via email. A member of our staff is available 24 hours a day.

For Frequently Asked Questions about the Great Burial Reef - Click Here

Red Sox Merchandise

Red Sox Merchandise

Families served by the Gorton-Menard Funeral Home in Coventry will now be able to honor their loved ones who were devoted and ardent Boston Red Sox fans. (NY Yankees fans, don't despair – their caskets and urns are expected shortly.)

The funeral home recently began offering a Red Sox line of caskets and urns. According to directors Al Menard and Steven DiLorenzo, “So many of our families – across all generations, men and woman alike, are proud of the hometown team and even honor their loved ones in death by selecting a Boston Red Sox theme casket or urn.”

"Funerals are about celebrating a life and what was important to the individual and sports themes have long been popular with families. Both the casket and urn are priced in line with similar merchandise offered in the funeral home’s selection area”, DiLorenzo said.

Licensing agreements have been reached between the manufacturer and Major League Baseball. We expect to see New England Patriots, Boston Celtics or Boston Bruins merchandise available in the future.

For more information contact Steven DiLorenzo at Gorton-Menard Funeral Home at 401-821-7306 or at info@gortonmenardfuneralhome.com.