How much of the ashes does cremation art use?

Only a very small amount. A single glass piece or item of jewelry needs just a tiny portion of cremated remains, so you can commission several keepsakes and still have a large amount of the ashes left to scatter, bury, or keep in an urn.

Are the ashes visible in the finished piece?

It depends on the design. In some pieces the cremains are infused into the glass while it is still liquid; in others they are placed or poured inside the item, and some designs display the ashes within the glass. Each maker handles this differently, so ask before you order.

Is every piece really unique?

Yes. Cremation art is made by hand, one piece at a time, and glass naturally reflects light in its own way, so no two orbs, pendants, or rings come out exactly alike, even within the same design.

Can I have cremation art made for a pet?

Absolutely. The same glass keepsakes and jewelry made for people can be made with a pet's ashes, including touching stones designed to carry in your pocket. See our pet cremation guide for more on the process.

Can I combine cremation art with other memorial choices?

Yes, and many families do. Because art pieces use so little ash, you can also scatter, bury, or inter the remains, or turn a portion into a separate keepsake. Our what to do with ashes tool can help you map out a combination.

Keepsakes

The Best Cremation Glass Art Memorials

Cremation art seals a small portion of ashes inside hand-blown glass, so a trace of your loved one becomes part of something you can see and hold. These are our favorite pieces, from orbs and paperweights to pendants and blown glass urns.

Our picks

My Favorite Cremation Art Pieces

Every piece below is made with a small portion of ashes by hand, so each one is genuinely one of a kind.

Our favorite

Zenith Swirl Ashes Memorial Orb

$178

A hand-blown orb with the ashes swirled through a ribbon of color. The piece families come back to most.

See orb→

Eternal Flame Ashes Memorial Paperweight

$189

A flame-shaped paperweight with the ashes rising through the glass like a candle that never goes out.

See paperweight→

Luna Oval Spiral Memorial Paperweight

$185

A calm oval spiral for a desk or bedside table, understated enough for any room.

See paperweight→

Large Sculpted Heart Paperweight

$240

A weighty sculpted heart that feels substantial in the hand. A natural choice for a spouse or parent.

See paperweight→

Jack Memory Glass Abstract Galaxy Orb

$350

Ashes suspended like stars in a deep galaxy of color, for someone who loved the night sky.

See orb→

Ruby Memory Glass Hearts Ornament

$350

A pair of glass hearts made to hang or display, often split between two family members.

See ornament→

Circle Of Life Glass Memorial Ornament

$860

A large standing glass sculpture and the statement piece of this list, made to anchor a mantel.

See ornament→

Ivy Hummingbird Sterling Silver Pendant

$350

A sterling silver hummingbird with the ashes worked into a glass inlay, worn close every day.

See pendant→

Tree Of Life Blown Glass Urn

$450

A full-size blown glass urn that holds all of the ashes and stands as a memorial in its own right.

See urn→

Products link to You Are Forever, our sister memorial store, or to partners; we may earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown were current when this guide was updated.

What cremation art is

A glass artist infuses a teaspoon or less of ashes into molten glass, where they appear as delicate white swirls or flecks inside the finished piece. Because the ashes react slightly differently every time, no two pieces are ever alike.

Most studios need only a small portion of the ashes, so families often commission several pieces and still keep the majority to inter, scatter or hold onto.

How a piece is made

You send the studio a small amount of ashes in a provided kit. The artist works them into the glass by hand, then anneals the piece slowly so it is strong enough for daily handling. Most pieces take a few weeks to arrive, so allow time if you want one for a memorial date.

Choosing a piece

Think about where it will live. Orbs and paperweights sit on a shelf or desk where you see them daily, pendants keep the piece with you, and a blown glass urn can hold all of the ashes as a centerpiece memorial. Color is worth choosing carefully too, since many families pick a shade the person loved.

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