8 Creative and Unique Ways to Remember a Loved One with Ashes

With the growing popularity of cremation, there are now countless options for honoring and memorializing those who have passed away. At Afterall, we empower you to select a way to honor their legacy and comfort your heart. Join us as we explore eight creative and crazy ways to remember a loved one and decide what to do with their ashes.

1. Create Glass Art and Jewelry

Companies like Memory Glass specialize in mixing a portion of divided ashes with glass to create stunning cremation jewelry and pendants. This beautiful fusion elevates the concept of memorializing loved ones into a lovely, tangible reminder not confined to the past but as an integral part of the present and future.

The process involves a meticulous and respectful technique. A small portion of the cremated ashes is carefully mixed with molten glass, resulting in a mesmerizing fusion that captures the essence of the departed soul. The transparency of the glass allows for an ethereal play of light, creating a radiant and almost otherworldly effect. You can choose from an array of designs, shapes, and colors, from a delicate teardrop pendant to a vibrant, swirling orb, each creation becomes a one-of-a-kind homage to the individual being commemorated.

2. Transform Ashes into a Brilliant Diamond

Imagine wearing a brilliant diamond that holds the essence of your loved one. Eterneva can create a diamond grown in a lab using a portion of your loved one's ashes. 

This groundbreaking technique involves subjecting carbon extracted from the ashes to high-pressure, high-temperature conditions, mimicking the natural diamond-forming process deep within the Earth. The result is a stunning, lab-grown diamond that encapsulates the enduring beauty and brilliance of the individual it memorializes.

The choice of a diamond is laden with profound symbolism. Diamonds are renowned for their timeless and enduring nature, representing the permanence of memories and the enduring connection with the departed. Each Eterneva diamond is meticulously cut and polished to maximize its radiance, reflecting the unique qualities of the person it commemorates.

3. Grow a Living Memorial

Planting memorial trees is a time-honored tribute (plant a tree). Another thoughtful option is to combine your loved one’s ashes with organic and plant-based materials in a biodegradable urn with a seed or sapling. These urns gradually and safely break down over time, allowing the ashes to mix with the soil and provide essential nutrients to grow a tree. Some urns even have a two-layer design that facilitates germination before the ashes are introduced.

Converting ashes into trees is a compelling and environmentally conscious approach to the age-old burial practice. These eco-friendly urns, often made from materials like recycled paper or organic compounds, offer a unique way to contribute to the environment even after life has ended. Whether in your backyard, park, garden, or another meaningful spot, watching a tree take root and grow is an incredible living tribute for someone special. 

4. Create a Memorial Fireworks Display

If your loved one was especially vivacious, a memorial fireworks display can celebrate their life in a truly explosive way. Cremation fireworks are a bold and beautiful way to say goodbye. Designed by, these fireworks use a small amount of your loved one’s cremated remains to create an incredible display.

Pyrotechnic professionals carefully mix and integrate approximately three tablespoons of cremated remains loaded into a fireworks shell, often saved for a dazzling and grand finale. Cremation fireworks can be customized by size, color, and design, offering a range of options to create a personalized tribute.

Though more popular in the U.K., unfortunately, there are only a few places in the U.S. that provide a fireworks sendoff.

5. Get a Memorial Tattoo

For many, getting a tattoo is a deeply personal and permanent way to honor a loved one's memory. A growing trend is using cremation ash in the tattoo ink, creating a unique and intimate tribute that will stay with you forever.

A professional tattoo artist combines a small amount of cremated ashes with ink. Although cremated ashes are not certified sterile, there is minimal risk of infection. Flame cremations reach 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively eliminating contamination. Except for the ashes, the process is the same as getting a standard ink tattoo. Whatever design or image you choose, you’ll always always have part of your loved one with you.

6. Launch Ashes Into Space

Picture a memorial service that extends into the universe, joining the ranks of NASA, astronauts, celebrities, and others worldwide who have chosen the same cosmic tribute to honor their dearly departed. Whenever you gaze at the evening skies, you’ll find comfort that someone special shines upon you from above.

If your loved one dreamed of exploring “space, the final frontier,” companies like Celestis can make it a reality. Depending on which tribute you select, your loved one’s remains (or your own if you are preplanning) can launch into the Earth’s orbit, touch the moon’s surface, or voyage into deep space. It is a loving and creative way to remember an adventuring spirit.

7. Turn Ashes Into a Reef

For those with a deep affinity for the ocean, consider the extraordinary option offered by Eternal Reef. Living coral reefs are sensitive to rising ocean levels and warmer temperatures, endangering delicate marine life. An Eternal Reef is a designed reef made of environmentally safe cast concrete that is carefully placed on the ocean floor as a permanent memorial of a life well lived. These manmade reefs are a safe haven for coral formations and marine life, making them a thoughtful tribute that lives on beneath the waves.

8. Press Ashes Into a Vinyl Record

Vinyl records remain popular among collectors. If your loved one enjoyed making or listening to music, this unique memorial option combines cremated ashes with vinyl to create a personalized and tangible keepsake. However, the primary purpose of these records is not to play music. Instead, the ashes are integrated into the vinyl material during manufacturing, creating a striking visual effect rather than a functional audio recording.

The resulting vinyl record typically has a unique pattern or texture created by the ashes, serving as a distinctive and artistic representation of the individual. While these records do not play music, they offer a meaningful and creative way to commemorate a loved one, blending their essence into a tangible form that can be cherished by family and friends. Remember that specific companies may offer variations in design and customization for these memorial records.

This list only scratches the surface of the many creative ways people are remembering their departed loved ones. Remember to thoroughly research any company you choose to work with by checking reviews, seeking recommendations from friends and family, and utilizing resources like the Better Business Bureau. Your loved one's memory deserves to be honored in a way that is meaningful and respectful to them.

While these options may seem outlandish to some, it's important to remember that grief is a deeply personal experience, and there is no right or wrong way to remember a loved one. Trust your instincts, follow your heart, and choose the method that feels most authentic to your loved one's memory. No matter which path you choose, know that your choices will be honored and respected.

At the end of the day, what truly matters is that you find solace and comfort in honoring the memory of your loved one. These creative and crazy ways are simply suggestions to spark your imagination and help you find a unique way to celebrate their life. May you find peace in the love and memories you cherish, and may your loved one's spirit always live on.

For more creative ways to honor your loved one, take a look at our article Thinking Outside the Box: 5 Creative Ideas for Cremation Ashes.