Memorial Art Guide: 5 Meaningful Ideas

Death has long been an inspiration to artists who create works commenting on our universal experience. But many artists and craftspeople are now using actual cremated remains to create works that represent and memorialize loved ones.

Using modern technology and creative techniques, families are choosing new artistic ways to memorialize those they’ve lost. With just a small amount of cremation ashes, a loved one can be transformed into jewelry, pottery, glass, or even a tattoo.

Those choosing cremation without a service or who opt for a simple cremation now and plan a later memorial can create a lasting, artistic piece to honor a loved one.

1. Cremation Jewelry

Different pieces of jewelry can be personalized to remember your loved one. The two most common types of memorial jewelry either mix cremation ashes into the product itself or contain some type of mechanism to hold part of the ashes. Cremation remains can be incorporated into glass and ceramic pendants and beads. These pieces only use a tiny amount of your loved one’s ashes (typically under a teaspoon), so you can purchase several of them to share between family and friends as well. 

Additionally, you could purchase keepsake urns that can hold a small amount of their ashes. These urns can be crafted from a variety of materials, including metal, glass, or ceramic. Depending on the artist you choose, you may have the option to engrave your loved one’s name or a message onto the urn itself. They are typically small in size, perfect for using as a charm on a necklace. 

You can also turn part of your loved one’s ashes into a cremation diamond. These gems are lab-grown, using carbon extracted from either hair or cremated remains. They can be grown to different carats and colors, as well as cut into various shapes of your choice.

2. Pottery

Another artistic way to remember a loved one is with pottery. With ceramics, you can transform your loved one’s ashes into commonly used household items. A small group of specialty companies creates beautiful pieces of pottery and other ceramic goods with cremation ashes. 

Some items you can purchase are mugs, vases, and pendants. These pieces can be a way to keep your loved one closely connected to your everyday life. After launching a memorial pottery business, a Santa Fe ceramic artist and entrepreneur then launched Parting Stone, an alternative option for remembering a loved one.

3. Glass

Whether it’s lamps, paperweights, or any other variety of glassware, you can incorporate your loved one’s cremation ashes to create beautiful accent pieces in your home or office. Companies like Grateful Glass, Spirit Pieces, and Artful Ashes are among the companies using glass to create these unique objects.

4. Paint

If you prefer a painting, your loved one’s ashes can be used to create a unique memorial on canvas. Some artists can use cremation ashes as texture for the painting, sealing it into the background, or use it as a specific feature of the art itself. Other artists combine the ashes with oils, building a paint out of the cremains themselves. 

5. Tattoos

Another option involves infusing your cremation ashes into your own skin through a tattoo. Certain tattoo artists can take your loved one’s remains and heat them at high temperatures, extracting carbon pigment. That pigment is then used to color ink. Other artists finely process the ashes to be mixed into colored tattoo ink.

Planning Ahead with Tulip

Direct cremation is one of the most affordable and flexible options for you or your loved one’s final plans. Families can then opt to use an artist’s work to remember them.

If you are interested in making prepaid cremation plans, Tulip can help. We offer transparent, high-quality service at affordable prices. Call our 24/7 Family Care Team at (844) 942-4909 or arrange online.

Image by William Adams from Pixabay