Ash Memorials

Types of Ash Memorials

Ash memorials are functional cremation art pieces that incorporate a small amount of cremation ashes into handcrafted, everyday objects. Unlike urns or jewelry designed primarily to hold or carry ashes, these memorials serve a practical purpose in your home while preserving a meaningful connection to someone you love.

Cremation Candle Holders: Our cremation candle holders are among the most popular ash memorials we carry. Each candle holder from cremation remains is hand-blown from glass with ashes permanently fused into the piece. Available in a range of colors and styles, these holders accept standard taper or votive candles and can be displayed on a mantel, dining table, or memorial shelf. Lighting a candle in a holder made with your loved one's ashes creates a quiet, comforting ritual that many families find deeply meaningful.

Cremation Sundials: A cremation sundial is a distinctive memorial that marks the passage of time using a glass or stone dial infused with ashes. These sundials are designed for outdoor display in a garden, patio, or memorial space. Each one is individually crafted and weather-resistant, making it a lasting tribute that becomes part of your everyday landscape.

Cremation Ash Frames: Cremation ash frames hold a favorite photograph while incorporating ashes into the frame itself — often fused into a glass border or embedded in a resin inlay. These frames allow you to display a cherished image alongside a physical connection to the person in the photo, combining two forms of remembrance in a single piece.

Cremation Heirlooms and Specialty Keepsakes

In addition to candle holders, sundials, and frames, our ash memorials collection includes cremation heirlooms — specialty keepsakes designed to be passed down through generations. These heirlooms made with ashes range from decorative glass orbs and bird baths to hand-sculpted figurines and custom art objects, each containing a small amount of cremation remains permanently sealed within the piece.

What sets cremation heirlooms apart from other memorial keepsakes is their dual nature: they are both beautiful display pieces and functional objects that serve a purpose in daily life. A glass bird bath placed in a garden becomes a gathering point for songbirds and a quiet reminder of someone who loved nature. A decorative orb on a bookshelf catches the light while holding a permanent tribute inside.

How Ash Memorials Are Made

Each ash memorial in our collection is individually crafted by skilled artisans. The process typically involves fusing a small portion of cremation ashes — usually about a teaspoon — into molten glass, resin, or another permanent medium during the creation process. The ashes become a visible part of the finished piece, often appearing as delicate swirls, subtle inclusions, or shimmering accents within the material. Because every piece is handmade, no two ash memorials are exactly alike.

If you are interested in other types of artisan memorial keepsakes, we also carry cremation glass art keepsakes such as paperweights and glass hearts, cremation touchstones you can carry with you, cremation sculptures for home display, and cremation art paintings on canvas. For sympathy candle holders that do not contain ashes, see our candle holders collection in Sympathy Gifts.

Choosing the Right Ash Memorial

Placement: Consider where the memorial will live. Cremation candle holders and ash frames work well on mantels, shelves, and tabletops. Sundials and bird baths are designed for outdoor garden spaces. Glass orbs and heirlooms can be displayed anywhere you want a quiet, personal reminder.

Material: Most ash memorials are crafted from hand-blown glass, which allows the ashes to be visibly incorporated as swirls or accents. Some pieces use stone, resin, or mixed media depending on the design. Glass pieces are best suited for indoor display or protected outdoor areas, while stone sundials and bird baths are built to withstand the elements.

Personalization: Many ash memorials can be customized with specific color choices to match your home decor or reflect the personality of your loved one. Some artisans offer engraving or custom shaping for an additional personal touch. For more personalization options across our full collection, visit our guide to cremation art.

Ordering Process: When you place an order for an ash memorial, we provide a small kit and instructions for sending a portion of cremation ashes to the artisan. The amount needed is typically about a teaspoon — a very small fraction of the total remains. Once the artisan receives the ashes, your piece is handcrafted and shipped directly to you. Turnaround times vary by piece, and our team can provide estimated timelines for any item in the collection.

Free Shipping on All Ash Memorials

Every ash memorial at Memorials.com ships free within the United States. Because these pieces are handcrafted individually, please allow additional processing time for artisan production. If you have questions about any memorial keepsakes made with ashes in our collection, our customer service team is available to help you find the right piece.