What to do with a Loved One's Ashes

If you or a loved one have decided to be cremated once you pass, the next decision is what to do with the ashes after the cremation funeral. This might be something you’re deciding for yourself as part of funeral preplanning or something you’re deciding for a loved one who has already passed.

If you’re unsure what to do, here are a few ideas of popular ways to commemorate a loved one through their ashes.

Present them in an ornamental urn

Keep your loved one close by with an ornamental urn containing their ashes. You’ll find a variety of different styles of urns to choose from, so you can select a piece that you’ll enjoy looking at and that fits well in your home. It’s a great way to remember them and keep them close to you.

Scatter them somewhere personal

Scattering ashes is an extremely popular choice. It returns that person’s remains and, usually, to a place that meant a lot to them during their life. You might want your ashes scattered in the sea or on the beach, at the top of a mountain, in your favorite park, or around the gravesite of a loved one. It’s a completely personal choice with so many possibilities.

Create jewelry from them

Keep your loved one close to your heart, literally, with a necklace containing their ashes. Or you can choose any kind of jewelry, like a ring, bracelet, or earring. One option is to have a locket or a similar pendant that can hold a small amount of your loved one’s ashes. Another option that is more expensive is to have their ashes turned into a gemstone, like a diamond, to adorn an item of jewelry.

Turn them into art

Art lovers will rejoice at the thought of their remains living on in a painting. You can mix a small amount of the ashes in with paint and create a masterpiece that commemorates them. If there is no one creative in your life, then you can commission an artist to create a painting that perfectly represents your loved one’s life, whether it’s a portrait of the deceased or something else.

Plant a tree

Truly live on in nature by having your ashes placed in a biodegradable urn with a seed that will grow into a tree over the years. The ashes, along with the urn itself and the soil around it, will nourish the seed so that it can grow well. The tree will grow and live on for generations to come.

Are you looking for cremation services in the Winston Salem area? You can get in touch with Hayworth Miller for our supportive funeral, cremation, and pre-arrangement services.