Families of deceased loved ones whose remains have been cremated used to have only one option for storing the ashes – an urn. But today, people who literally wish to keep their loved ones with them at all times in a meaningful, artistic way can choose from a vast array of cremation jewelry. Also called keepsake jewelry or memorial jewelry, these unique accessories allow for the storage of a small amount of the deceased’s ashes inside a necklace, bracelet, or even a ring. Unlike the cremation urn, which generally remains in one place either as an outdoor monument or a decorative piece indoors on a bookshelf or mantle, cremation jewelry can be a much more visible tribute and keepsake since it can be worn daily and can go with the wearer no matter where he or she goes. It should be noted, though, that ashes aren’t the only things that people save inside of their memorial keepsake. Some put a tiny bit of the ground where the loved one was buried if the body was not cremated, others include a lock of hair, still others choose to capture crushed petals from a flower, and others select a small piece of fabric. More often than not, though, this specialized jewelry is used to hold cremated ashes.
There are so many wonderful memorial options when searching for the right piece of cremation jewelry. One popular choice is a silver pendant which can be worn on a chain or any other type of necklace. Although religious pendants like crosses, angels, or Stars of David are commonly chosen, a pendant could take nearly any form. Options include everything from nature images, like butterflies and four-leaf clovers, to more unique forms, like golf clubs and teddy bears. Since they can be made of nearly any material and can demonstrate just about any design, the possibilities are truly endless. Some cremation pendants come as lockets which include not only the deceased’s ashes but also a space for a small photo of the loved one. Additionally, most all of these pendants can be easily engraved with initials or dates.
Although far less commonly chosen than pendants for necklaces, cremation bracelets and rings are options as well. And like cremation pendants, bracelets and rings are made for and worn by both men and women. Similarly, they too can be made of several different materials whose containers can take on any number of different shapes and designs.
Deceased persons aren’t the only ones whose remains can be memorialized and kept close at hand through necklaces, bracelets, or rings. Cremation jewelry is also available to preserve the memory and remains of beloved pets. Common choices for pet cremation jewelry are figures of dogs and cats, paw prints, and dog houses. Also, many of these often include a space to add a picture. Like creation jewelry designed to honor people who have died, those for deceased pets can take a variety of forms, be made from an assortment of different materials, and be engraved with initials or dates.
There are nearly unlimited choices available for cremation jewelry. Grieving families need not make decisions too quickly. Whether working with a funeral sales representative or studying the options by themselves online, families need to consider not only the size, shape, design, and materials available but also the cost. Cremation jewelry for both humans and pets range in price from the very affordable to the outrageously expensive, and careful research on all of the possibilities available is necessary for a decision that families will feel not only secure with but also comforted by into the future.
