6 Things to do with your loved ones ashes
Kenny Scott
Last updated 26 October
Are you faced with the difficult choice of deciding what to do with your loved one’s ashes?
When a loved one passes away, it can be an incredibly difficult subject to think about.
So many memories and special days can come fooding into your mind, and what were once happy times can seem almost painful. It’s true that we all need time to grieve and reflect on all the times we spent together - before we can even consider moving forward.
However, if you’ve been left with ashes, the tricky subject of what to do with them will eventually arise.
Having worked in glass design
for over 25 years now, I know that memorial glass is becoming an increasingly popular choice - and it’s a part of my career that almost seemed destined for me.
All you need is a small spoonful of your loved one’s ashes to create beautiful pieces of jewellery or art, so below, I’m going to talk you through some
of your main options.
1. Stunning cufflinks & Earrings
Cuffinks are a particularly popular choice of cremation jewellery for men, who may
otherwise not wear a lot of jewellery (rings, pendants etc). It also means you can keep your loved one with you on special occasions, and shows they’ll always be in
your thoughts at weddings, ceremonies or special evenings out.
Another good thing about cufflinks and earrings is that they are generally a long-lasting, quality sterling silver product - although the quality can vary depending on the company you buy from.
The Creation Process
Not every company’s process for making memorial or cremation cufflinks and earrings will be the same, but below I’m going to talk you through my own process, so you know exactly what’s involved:
Step One
You choose your desired colour and product (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
Step Two
The coloured glass is heated up to around 1400 - 1500 degrees, until it becomes sort of a honey texture.
Step Three
Once it’s ready, I capture the ashes within the glass, using heat and a combination of coloured and clear glass to seal them in. I wish I could take credit for the next part, but in truth, the ashes form their own unique pattern in the glass caused by a mix of gases and air. They create their own ‘personalities’ if you will - and there’s never two the same. Which keeps my work interesting!
Step Four
The final product sits in a kiln for 24 hours, until it has cooled back down to room temperature.
Step Five
Once the glass has reached room temperature, I then use diamond wheels to grind and polish the bottom. The product should now be ready to be set in hallmarked silver.
Step Six
You choose your desired colour and product (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
How long will they take?
Usually, memorial jewellery such as cufflinks and earrings can take some bigger companies between 6-8 weeks to produce. Mainly because they process so many orders.However, some of the smaller companies can produce them more quickly, and also give an added personal touch - I personally aim to process all orders within two weeks.
Cost
Cremation or memorial cufflinks and earrings can cost anywhere between £150 - £600. But I’d say it’s not just the cost that matters- research carefully before choosing an experienced company you’re happy with, who will communicate with you directly and ensure you will be happy with the final product.
In Summary
If you’re considering the difficult subject of what to do with your loved one’s ashes, memorial cufflinks can be a great choice. All you need is a small spoonful of ashes, and it means you can have your loved one with you on special occasions.The process involved requires experienced hands, and the cost can be anywhere between £150 - £600. But remember - always choose a cremation jewellery company wisely, and ensure you’re comfortable before sending ashes away.
2. Beautiful pendants
Cremation or memorial pendants can be particularly striking pieces of jewellery, that will easily stand out and be noticed. It’s also a lovely way of keeping your loved one close to your heart at all times.
Another good thing about pendants is that they are generally made to be quality, long lasting sterling silver products that you’ll be able to wear for years to come - although the quality can vary depending on the company you buy from.
The Creation Process
I’m sure the process every company uses is probably slightly different, but below I’m going to talk you through my own process, so you’ll know exactly what’s involved:
Step One
First, you choose your desired colour and the product style you want (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
Step Two
The coloured glass is heated up to around 1400 - 1500 degrees, until it becomes sort of a honey texture.
Step Three
Once it’s ready, I capture the ashes within the glass, using heat and a combination of coloured and clear glass to seal it in. I wish I could take credit for the next part, but in truth, the ashes form their own unique pattern in the glass caused by a mixture of gases and air. You could say, they each have their own personality and no one piece ever looks the same!
Step Four
The final product sits in a kiln for around 24 hours, until it has cooled back down to room temperature, and is ready for the next step.
Step Five
Once the glass has reached room temperature, I then use diamond wheels to grind and polish the bottom. The product is now ready to be set in hallmarked silver
Step Six
Once the finished pendant is ready, I will email photos to you along with an invoice. Your special pendant is then sent out to you via Royal Mail Recorded/Signed For or Special Delivery.
How long will they take?
Memorial pendants can usually take some of the bigger companies as long as 6-8 weeks to produce - mainly because they have so many orders to process.
Saying that, there are some smaller companies that can produce cremation glass quicker, as well as bringing an extra personal touch to the table.
Personally, I know how important it is to have peace of mind and get your loved one’s ashes back as quickly as possible, which is why I try to process every order within 3 weeks, and keep you updated at every stage of the process.
Cost
Cremation pendants can usually cost anywhere between £100 - £450 - perhaps more depending on the material you want to use (sterling silver, white gold, gold).Although cost can’t be ignored, I would recommend shopping around carefully and finding an experienced company that not only suits your budget, but also makes you feel confident and reassured that your loved one’s ashes are in good hands.
In Summary
If you’re stuck on the difficult subject of what to do with loved ones’ ashes, cremation pendants can be a wonderful, touching way of remembering a loved one.All you need is a small spoonful of ashes, and it means you can have your loved one close to your heart at all times.The delicate process involved demands experienced hands, and the cost can be anywhere between £100 - £450. But remember - always choose a cremation jewellery company wisely, and ensure you’re confident your loved one’s ashes will be in good hands.
3. A gorgeous memorial canvas
A memorial canvas can be particularly suitable if your loved one was an art lover, or you’re particularly fond of art yourself.It’s also a comforting idea to think of them sitting on the wall, watching over you - and you can of course give them pride of place in your home.
The Creation Process
Below, I’m going to talk you through my own unique creation process for making art from ashes, to give you the best idea of what to expect.
Step One
First, you choose the colour you want and the style of canvas you’d prefer (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
Step Two
Once the glass colours are selected, the ashes are fused together inside two layers of chunky glass.
Step Three
The glass is heated to 860 degrees to give different textures to the surface, which can lead to a pebbly or grainy effect. An interesting thing to mention here is that no matter what colour the glass, it all looks orange under the extreme heat. You can only really tell the true colours once it cools down to room temperature, but experience will tell you how to reach the desired effect
Step Four
The glass is left in the kiln to cool down over the next 24hours, ready for the next step.
Step Five
The glass is then mounted onto a high quality box canvas, to hang securely on your wall.
Step Six
Once the finished memorial canvas is ready, I will email photos to you along with an invoice. Your special canvas is then sent out to you via Royal Mail Recorded/Signed For orSpecial Delivery.
How long will they take?
I usually always aim to process orders within two weeks, although other companies who may offer memorial art (in various shapes and sizes) could have longer turnaround times.
I know how important it is to have peace of mind and to get your loved one’s ashes back as quickly as possible, which is why I always keep my customers updated at every stage of the process and don’t delay more than necessary.
Cost
A well-made memorial canvas using deep edge cotton canvas should cost no less than around £100.
Although budget is important, I’d advise taking a look at the different types of art glass available and finding an experienced company that not only suits your price constraints, but also makes you feel confident and reassured that your loved one’s ashes are in good hands.
In Summary
A memorial canvas can be an original and heartfelt way to honour your loved one’s memory. You don’t need a large amount of ashes, and it will allow you to have your loved one in the forefront of your mind, looking over you from their pride of place in your home.
The delicate process involved in making art from ashes needs experienced hands, and the cost can be around £125 or perhaps more - depending on the type of art you opt for. But remember- always take your time choosing a cremation art company, and make sure you’re comfortable before sending ashes of in the post.
4. An inspired glass sculpture
A glass sculpture can be a dramatic, wonderful way to remember a loved one.The thing I love most about this memorial glass option is that you can put them front and centre in the window, and watch them sparkle in the light.
The Creation Process
Below, I’m going to talk you through my own unique creation process for turning ashes to art, so you can know exactly what to expect.
Step One
First, you choose the colours, style and texture of the sculpture you’d like (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
Step Two
Next, I cut the glass to size, and melt it gently so the pattern, colours and ashes can be laid out to form the design element of your sculpture.
Step Three
The glass is then heated to 860 degrees to get the desired textures just right. You may prefer a smooth texture to a grainy or pebbly one, but it just comes down to personal choice.
Step Four
The next step involved putting the glass in a kiln for24 hours and very slowly cooling it down using my trademark digitally controlled process.
Step Five
I make a hardwood base for the sculpture using locally sustainable wood - usually oak, which is milled down, cut to size, sanded, coated and preserved before adding chrome brackets to securely hold the glass in place.
Step Six
Once the finished glass sculpture is ready, I will email photos to you along with an invoice. Your art is then sent out to you via Royal Mail Recorded/Signed For or Special Delivery.
How long will they take?
A big worry for many of my clients is how long they are going to be parted from their loved one’s ashes, so it’s important to know this before sending them away.Some companies can take around 6 - 8 weeks to process art or memorial glass orders, but I aim to process all my orders within two weeks, as I know how important it is that you are reunited with them as soon as possible.
Cost
A well-made memorial glass sculpture could cost anywhere between £175 - £300 or maybe more depending on the size of the sculpture.Although it’s important to keep your costs in mind when ordering cremation art glass, I’d really recommend searching for the different types of memorial glass available before settling on something you really like, from an experienced company that makes you feel at ease and confident that your loved one’s ashes are in safe hands.
In Summary
A stunning glass sculpture can be a dramatic and beautifully sentimental way to honour your loved one’s memory - and they sparkle perfectly in the light.
The careful process involved in making ashes to art demands a lot of attention and experience, and the cost can be around £175- £300 or perhaps more - depending on the size of sculpture you want.
Just remember to always take your time choosing a cremation glass company, and make sure you’re comfortable before sending ashes of in the post.
5. Eye-catching cremation charms
Jewellery charms and charm bracelets are particularly popular at the moment (thinkPandora), with many choosing to wear them on a day-to-day basis.
So, a cremation jewellery charm is a practical, easy but also beautiful way to keep your loved one with you by adding them to your existing bracelet.
Cremation jewellery charms are also incredibly versatile (you can even add them to a necklace), and because you only need a very small amount of ashes, it’s easy to get a few charms made at once to distribute amongst family members.
The Creation Process
The process for making cremation jewellery charms will vary from company to company, but below, I’m going to talk you through my own creation process, so you can have an idea of what’s involved.
Step One
First, you choose the colour of charm you want (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
Step Two
For cremation charms, I like to use a punty iron, which is heated up to1300 degrees. I then gradually buildup the layers of coloured glass
Step Three
Next, I add the ashes, and seal with clear glass to give added depth and ensure the charm is perfectly rounded of. The charm should really begin to take form now.I wish I could take credit for the next part, but in truth, the ashes form their own unique pattern in the glass. This is caused by a mixture of gases and air.
Step Four
The charm then sits in a kiln and sits overnight at 560degrees, before being cooled right down to room temperature, ready for the next step.
Step Five
When the charm is ready. I detach it from the metal, and then do the silverwork. I custom ft a sterling silver core through the glass bead and smith over either end for a high quality finish. We don’t use silver caps glued on either end like other companies as these may fall of over a period of time.Your bead can then be added to any regular charm bracelet.
Step Six
Once the finished charm is ready, I will email photos to you along with an invoice. Your special cremation jewellery charm is then sent out to you via Royal Mail Recorded/Signed For orSpecial Delivery.
How long will they take?
Memorial charms can usually take some of the bigger companies as long as 6- 8 weeks to produce - mainly because they have so many orders to process.
Saying that, there are some smaller companies that can produce cremation charms quicker, as well as bringing an extra personal touch to the table.
Personally speaking, I know how important it is to have peace of mind and get your loved one’s ashes back as soon as possible, which is why I try to process every order within two weeks. I also keep you updated at every stage of the process.
Cost
Cremation charms can usually cost anywhere between£50 - £125 and should be made with sterling silver.Although cost may be a major factor in your decision, I would personally recommend shopping around carefully and finding an experienced company that not only suits your budget, but also makes you feel confident and reassured that your loved one’s ashes are in good hands - not forgetting the final quality product.
In Summary
Cremation jewellery charms can be a versatile, practical way to remember a loved one and keep them close to you on a daily basis - all you need is a small spoonful of ashes.
The delicate process involved requires experienced hands, and the cost can be anywhere
between £50 - £125 when made with sterling silver.My main advice here is: don’t be afraid to shop around, and make sure you’re comfortable and confident in the company and final product before sending ashes away in the post.
6. Sparkling glass rings
Glass rings tend to be dramatic pieces that can shine beautifully in the light. Every time you look down at your hand, you can think of your loved one.
One of my customers also said that it’s almost like having them holding your hand wherever you go, which in my opinion is a particularly lovely thought.
The Creation Process
The process for making cremation glass rings will most likely differ quite widely depending on which company you choose. Below, I’m going to talk you through my own creation process, so you can get a better idea of what’s involved.
Step One
You choose your desired colour and ring style (options can be found either online or in your order pack, but some companies - myself included - will do their best to accommodate a colour of your choosing).
Step Two
The coloured glass is heated up to around 1400 - 1500 degrees, until it becomes sort of a honey texture.
Step Three
Once it’s ready, I capture the ashes within the glass, using heat and a combination of coloured and clear glass to seal it in - this is when the ring truly takes form.I wish I could take credit for this next bit, but it’s really all down to the ashes themselves, which form their own, unique pattern in the glass - helped along by a mixture of gases and air. No two rings are ever alike!
Step Four
The final product sits in a kiln for 24 hours, until it has cooled back down to room temperature.
Step Five
Once the glass has reached room temperature, I then use diamond wheels to grind and polish the bottom until it’s ready to be set into a beautiful silver ring, made by my silversmith.
Step Six
Once the finished ring is ready, I email photos to you along with an invoice. Your special glass ring is then sent out to you via Royal Mail Recorded/Signed For or Special Delivery.
How long will they take?
Memorial glass rings can usually take some of the bigger companies as long as 6-8 weeks to produce - mainly because they have so many orders to process.Saying that, there are some smaller companies that can produce glass rings faster.
Personally speaking, I know that most of my customers want their loved one’s ashes back as soon as possible, which is why I try to process all orders within two weeks.I also keep them updated at every stage of the process.
Cost
Cremation rings can usually cost anywhere between £220 - £495 or maybe more, depending on which type of precious metal you use (sterling silver, white gold or gold).
Although cost may be one of the biggest factors to influence your decision, I would personally recommend shopping around carefully and finding an experienced company that not only suits your budget, but also makes you feel confident and reassured that your loved one’s ashes are in good hands.
And remember, just because something is pricier, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better quality. Look for a balance between cost, quality and professionalism - and you’ll be onto a winner.
In Summary
Rings have fast become one of the most popular types of cremation jewellery for ashes, and it’s easy to see why. All you need is a small spoonful of your loved one’s ashes, and you’ll be left with a beautiful ring you can wear for many years to come - almost like having them hold your hand wherever you go.
The careful process involved does need experienced hands, and the cost can be anywhere between £220 - £495 or more depending on the metal used.
Take my advice: don’t be scared to do a bit of online window shopping, and make sure you’re comfortable and confident in the company and final product before sending ashes away in the post.
Conclusion
When a loved one dies, the subject of their ashes can be incredibly difficult to think about. Everyone takes their own time to grieve, and reflect on all those shared memories before they can even consider moving on.
However, there are so many wonderful ways to honour your loved one’s memory, including strikingly beautiful art pieces and cremation jewellery that means you can keep your loved one closed to you, no matter where you go.
I’m sorry for your loss, but I hope you’ve found this ebook useful -whichever idea you like best. You may even have some new ideas of your own.
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