When a loved one is cremated, families are often left with a significant decision: what to do with the ashes? This can be a deeply personal choice, influenced by cultural, religious, and emotional factors. This article explores various options, helping you find the right way to honor your loved one's memory.
Remember, there's no right or wrong answer. This is an intimate decision based on what brings you and your family comfort and peace. Here, we discuss the most common methods for handling cremation ashes, providing you with detailed insights and examples.
Memorialization at Home or Burial
Many families choose to keep their loved one's ashes close, either at home as a memorial or at a cemetery through a traditional burial or placement in a columbarium.
Cremation urns provide a beautiful and dignified way to keep ashes at home. You can find urns in various materials (wood, metal, glass, ceramic, etc.) and styles to suit your decor and personal preferences. Some families may also choose to scatter a portion of the ashes and keep a small amount in an urn for display.
Scattering Ashes
Scattering ashes is another popular option that allows you to incorporate your loved one's memory into a favorite place. Beaches, parks, mountains, or a family-owned property are common locations. Before you decide, check local laws and obtain necessary permissions.
If scattering, consider how you'd like to go about it. Some families prefer to say a few words first or have everyone involved in the process. You may also choose to scatter the ashes from a unisex or biodegradable urn that disintegrates, leaving no trace behind.
Burial orplacement in a Columbarium
If you prefer traditional memorialization, consider burying the ashes in a cemetery. Many offer dedicated spaces for cremated remains, often called "garden of cremains" or "cremation gardens." Burial can provide a sense of finality and a permanent place to visit and remember.
Columbaria offer another option, providing above-ground niches for urns. These can be found in cemeteries, mausoleums, or even standalone structures. Some columbaria offer communal niches, where multiple urns are placed together, promoting a sense of community among honorees.
Creating Meaningful Keepsakes and Mementos
Turning ashes into unique jewelry, artwork, or other mementos allows you to keep your loved one close, literally, as you go about your daily life.
Cremation jewelry is a popular choice, with pendants, necklaces, and memorial diamonds containing a small amount of ashes. Companies also create custom artwork, glassware, and sculpture from ashes, offering a decorative and meaningful way to honor your loved one.
Diamonds and other Jewelry
Memorial diamonds are created by extracting carbon from cremated remains and using it to grow a lab-created diamond. This process, called cremation diamonds or memory diamonds, results in a polished gem that can be set into jewelry.
Other forms of cremation jewelry include cremation pendant necklaces and custommade keepsakes. These pieces often come in various sizes and styles, providing a personalized way to remember your loved one.
Artwork and other creations
Numerous artists and companies create meaningful keepsakes from ashes, allowing you to commemorate your loved one in a unique and lasting way. Artforms include custom portraits, glass sculptures, and even vinyl records.
Some families choose to scatter a portion of ashes and keep a small amount to create multiple mementos, ensuring each family member has something special to remember their loved one.
Ultimately, the best way to handle cremation ashes is the one that provides your family with comfort, closure, and peace. Take your time, consider your loved one's wishes, and most importantly, choose a method that resonates with your family's values and emotions.