This year’s Ocean Talks, sponsored by Ocean Family Foundation, will feature two talented and thought-provoking artists, one of which is London-based Resting Reef – an initiative that transforms end-of-life practices by turning human ashes into memorial reefs that restore marine ecosystems, with sites currently in Bali and Mexico. Ahead of the event, co-founder and head of sustainability and product Louise Skajem shares the story behind their mission to create lasting environmental legacies beneath the waves.
What inspired the creation of Resting Reef?
It started almost five years ago. Aura [Resting Reef's other co-founder] and I met during a dual Master's in London between Imperial College and the Royal College of Art, studying global innovation design. We entered the Terra Carta Design Lab competition - an initiative launched by King Charles III and Sir Jony Ive - which challenged us to develop creative solutions for climate change.
We discovered that native oyster reefs in the UK had declined by 95 per cent in just 100 years. We hear a lot about corals, but this is another huge problem that hasn't received much attention. After consulting with experts, we learned that underfunding was a major barrier to restoration. During a brainstorming session on how to support native oyster reef restoration, Aura proposed an idea inspired by her personal experience of loss. Her father had died before her Master's, which led her to explore how death remains taboo and the funeral process itself. She had discovered a salt urn that dissolves in the ocean to scatter ashes, but wondered, 'What if we create something that doesn't dissolve but becomes the foundation for marine life?' Marine life could grow on it, and families could look after it over time and witness the impact.
At first, it seemed a bit crazy, but there was something truly novel and beautiful about it. I knew from a previous project that burial plots in the UK were running out, so I realised we were addressing two problems that beautifully intersect and solve each other. We developed the concept and proposal, becoming finalists in the competition. Both Aura and I chose Resting Reef as our final Master's project. Since then, we've secured six Innovate UK grants, received multiple design awards and recognition, and completed a small crowdfunding campaign.
How do you determine where to place the memorial reefs?
It's always very important that there's a genuine need for conservation; we don't want to place reefs in the water without a real purpose. We conduct scientific monitoring to assess the impact and benefits of each placement, examining factors like material type, seabed conditions, local species and how they would benefit from artificial reefs. For example, in the UK, artificial reefs serve as lobster and crab hotels, providing shelter during rough seas. Artificial reefs can be designed with specific purposes for different local species - it's not just about tropical fish or corals.
When assessing where to open new sites, there are many opportunities, so we want our community to help define locations based on their wishes. We recently launched the Resting Reef Plan Ahead Club, which allows people who connect with our mission to reserve a future spot for themselves, a loved one or a pet. Members also have direct influence on where we open new sites, ensuring we work towards locations our community wants. We also help them with letters of wishes because we believe making death less taboo eases the process of losing someone, allowing decisions to be made based on what your loved one would have wanted, rather than guessing.
How quickly do the reefs attract marine life, and what results have you observed?
After just a few weeks or months, you can see colonisation beginning. Different species settle at different stages. First, algae grow, attracting fish that graze on those species. Then Coralline algae appear - the foundation needed before corals start growing. Our 12-month monitoring has shown 17 times higher fish biodiversity on our reef structures compared with the degraded area nearby, equating to about 102 different fish species. We've also seen four to five per cent natural hard coral growth, which is very impressive. These days, coral restoration often relies on planting, but here it's natural colonisation, which means the water column has all the biodiversity - what was missing is the foundation for species to settle on and start growing from.
What goes into designing the reef structures, and can they be customised?
We currently have a set of designs, but we're working towards expanding them. From the beginning, we've collaborated with marine scientists and engineers because significant thought goes into the design. The structures need to be as bioreceptive as possible, with textures, pockets and tunnels to maximise colonisation. Different species seek different types of habitats. For example, dead-end tunnels suit species that like to lurk and observe, ensuring nothing approaches from behind. Other species prefer tunnels for playing, finding shelter or laying eggs. Multi-exit tunnels are favoured by lobsters, which always want different escape routes. Perhaps in the future, designs could be fully customisable with advanced 3D printing technology, but right now we're focused on expanding our range of designs.
What materials are used to construct the memorial reefs?
When we were conducting R&D in the UK with a partner, we developed a non-cementitious formula to minimise the carbon footprint and cement content. However, that technology is much more advanced and wouldn't be feasible in a rural area in northern Bali. So we redesigned the formula to use locally sourced materials. In Bali, we work with volcanic sand from local beaches, calcium carbonate and, of course, the ashes. For us, it's really important not to ship materials across the world if a local solution exists. The only thing that travels is the ashes.
At what depth are the memorial reefs installed?
Corals generally thrive between five and 15 metres, where there's more sunlight for these species. Shallower depths are also more accessible for monitoring, as going much deeper requires advanced diving licenses or equipment and visibility decreases. These depths are also more accessible for families. For example, our site in Bali is seven metres, so you can snorkel or freedive without a diving qualification.
How do you create a meaningful experience for families during the reef placement?
For us, it's important to provide a service for families who don't want to go to Bali, or perhaps are elderly and can't dive or travel far, but still connect with Resting Reef and find it meaningful. We offer two ways for families to engage with the experience. When we receive the ashes, we update them throughout the journey. There's a local ceremony with the community - a blessing that respects their beliefs and asks the ocean gods for permission in a Balinese ceremony. We then update them on the placement and send a photo of the reef structure underwater. From there, we provide ongoing updates so they can see the impact and growth over time.
We also offer an experiential option for families who want to bring the ashes themselves and participate in the local ceremony. This includes sharing circles and a remembrance ceremony just for the family or participants, which involves connecting with the ocean and sharing memories - an alternative to a traditional funeral ceremony, if they wish. They can then see the reefs after placement and view them underwater. Even if they want to return years later to see the reef with marine life on it, we can arrange that as well.
What are your aspirations for Resting Reef's future?
We really want to see our community grow. Even young, healthy people with a long future ahead can connect with what we're doing. I'm not going to say it's something to look forward to, but they may feel it's something they would love for themselves - and that's why we set up the Resting Reef Plan Ahead Club. It allows people to be part of what we're doing: engaging with marine conservation, getting to know the sites and helping decide where we open new locations. This way, it becomes more than just a final destination - it becomes part of something you've built and seen grow in your lifetime, making it meaningful for yourself or your loved ones.
Ocean Talks returns to London on 11 June 2026, bringing together superyacht owners, suppliers, builders and designers with marine conservation leaders for an evening of inspiring talks and networking.
Read More/Everything you need to know about Ocean Talks 2026