The funeral industry is becoming more innovative with its push to branch out and encourage new traditions. Death care is seeing many new practices, including ways to memorialize the dead. Funeral services are becoming more personalized to capture the personality of the deceased loved one, and this idea is being extended to after-service memorialization. Additionally, with cremation gaining more popularity throughout the world, there are many new ways to incorporate cremated ashes into a memorialization. These ways can be used to capture the personality and interests of the deceased loved one to make for a more meaningful end-of-life memorialization.
Firework Memorial Display
Many firework companies can mix a small amount of the cremation ashes into modified, professional-grade fireworks. The company will then set a date and time to host the show for the family. The show can be small or large, depending upon the family preference and the size of the budget, and can even be set to favorite songs of the deceased person to add a more special and personal touch. The company can put on the firework show for the family or they can make small, self-fire rockets to send to the family.
Coral Reef
This is a great option for a deceased loved one who was environmentally conscious with a love for water life. The company Eternal Reef will take a small amount of the loved one’s ashes and incorporate them into a cement mixture. The cement mixture is then used to form artificial reefs that will be placed in the bottom of the ocean. The structures are used to provide a safe place for coral to grow on and fish to inhabit, and they replace previously destroyed structures.
Ash Diamonds and Jewelry
Gemstones similar in chemical composition and appearance to that of a diamond can be made using cremation ash. The manufacturers take a small amount of the ash, and in a matter of a few months, can use it to create man-made diamonds. The ash diamonds can be cut in any shape or size that the living relative wants, much like a natural diamond would.
For those who like the idea of ash jewelry but don’t necessarily want a diamond, jewelry beads can be made with ashes or can be made to simply hold ashes. Ash can be incorporated in to the glass of the beads, or the beads can be made to hollow in order to hold a small amount of ash. These jewelry options can come in many different shapes and sizes, and can be personalized.
Ash Incorporated Glass
Ash can be incorporated into many different forms of glass to create beautiful, one-of-a-kind glass works. Some companies create small glass sculptures and figurines, such as animals, people, or abstract forms. Other companies can incorporate ash into glass for stained glass windows or suncatchers. The sizes, shapes, colors, and styles for the glass works vary, depending upon the company and artist. This makes the glass works more uniqueness and personalization.
Cremation Portraits & Paintings
Portraits and paintings can be made with ash in a variety of ways. Some companies will print a favorite picture, portrait, or photograph onto museum-quality canvas. After ensuring that the canvas is to your liking, an artist for the company will then artfully incorporate the cremation ash onto the canvas. A glaze is applied over the canvas to hold all ash in place. The texture of the ashes is maintained on the canvas, and the canvas is completely touchable so you can not only see the art, but also feel it.
Other artists or companies will mix a small amount of the cremation ashes into paint and will paint a portrait of the deceased love one or any painting that the family wants. Most artists only paint black and white portraits to maintain the visual appearance of the ashes, but some will paint using any colors.
Memorial Picture Frames
Elegant picture frames can also be made from cremation ash. Only a small amount of ash is needed as most of the picture frames are small. The ash is integrated into the outer surface of the frame, and a sealing gloss is placed over the top to complete the finished product with a smooth, granite-like look.
Cremation Ink
Pen ink can be made from cremation ash for an elegant, personalized ink that can be used in many different ways. This can be done at home for a simple, yet meaningful memorialization. To do this at home, all the you need to do is to mix a small amount of ash with high quality writing ink. The only thing that you need to be sure of is that the ashes have been sifted so only the finest of particles are being mixed into the ink.
Ash Tattoos
Ash tattooing is new, edgy way to memorialize a loved one. Fine particles of cremation ash can be mixed into tattoo ink and used much the same way that regular tattoo ink is used. The tattooing and healing process are fairly similar, except that some have reported that ash tattoos itch more than normal tattoos. However, because this is such a new practice, some have speculated the safety of the process, so it may be difficult to find a tattoo artist to do it for you.
Cremation ashes can be used in many different ways to memorialize a deceased loved one. The variety of ways that the ashes can be used present more options for those who want to capture the memory of the loved one in a personal and deeply affectionate way. Cremation ashes can be made into family heirlooms of glass art, jewelry, or pictures. The ashes can also be used to capture the personality and interests of the loved one through fireworks, coral reef structures, or even tattoos. Whatever the form, cremation ashes can now be used in a variety of ways that is more meaningful to the loved one and family members.
Blog Resources
https://www.newsmax.com/health/health-wire/tattoo-cremated-remains-ink/2013/10/01/id/528716