Top Permanent Memorial Options After Cremation

What Are Your Options After Cremation?

When it comes to making funeral plans, cremation is often a more affordable and flexible choice for many families. When the cremation process is complete, there are many ways to honor and remember your loved one in ways that burial does not offer. Many of these are customizable to reflect an individual’s religious beliefs, personality, military service, or even their favorite sports team. You may also find a memorial that feels authentic for you when you make end-of-life arrangements, including those for cremation. This article invites you to explore cremation memorials, both traditional and unconventional, that provide a loving and permanent tribute to someone special.

Why Is It Important to Have a Permanent Place to Visit?

Having a permanent place to visit your loved one can be meaningful for several reasons. Mostly, it provides a serene and dedicated space where family and friends can gather to remember and honor a loved one. This place can become a site for future generations to connect with their heritage and understand their family's history. Some families have generations of family members laid to rest together, while others are open to creating a legacy of remembrance. 

Emotional Comfort and Healing

A dedicated space for remembrance can offer emotional comfort. Visiting this place can be part of the healing process, providing solace and a way to keep the memory of your loved one alive. Having a permanent memorial within a beautiful, peaceful cemetery or memorial park is a comforting reminder that, even though your loved one is no longer physically present, their legacy endures.

Historical Significance

Permanent memorials serve as historical records. They ensure that your loved one's legacy is preserved and can be visited by future generations. This continuity is essential for maintaining family traditions and stories. A permanent memorial acts as a marker in history, connecting the past, present, and future. Genealogy enthusiasts find gravestones and markers are a helpful way to complete their family tree. 

Community and Family Gathering

A permanent site provides a focal point for gatherings, whether on special anniversaries, birthdays, or holidays. It becomes a place where family traditions can be upheld and where collective memory is strengthened. These gatherings can reinforce bonds among family members and provide opportunities to share stories and memories.

What Are the Benefits of Personalized Memorials?

Personalized memorials offer numerous benefits, helping to create a lasting and meaningful tribute to your loved one. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Even an inscription that includes their name, birth date, and passing date is a powerful reminder of a lost loved one. 

Reflects Their Personality

Custom memorials allow you to reflect a loved one’s unique personality and interests. Whether they loved music, art, nature, or adventure, you can choose a memorial that truly represents who they were. This personal touch ensures that the memorial is not just a generic tribute but a true reflection of their life and passions.

Provides Comfort 

Forever memorials can provide greater comfort to family and friends. Knowing that the tribute is unique and meaningful can make the process of grieving and remembrance more personal and healing. It can be comforting to know that the memorial is a one-of-a-kind piece, just like the person it commemorates.

Keeps Their Memory Alive

A personalized memorial helps keep the memory of your loved one alive in a special way. It can serve as a conversation starter, allowing stories and memories to be shared and passed down through generations. This ensures that the legacy of your loved one endures and that they continue to be a part of family narratives.

Encourages Reflection

Personalized memorials encourage reflection and introspection. They provide a space or object that prompts thoughts about the deceased, their impact, and the memories shared. This ongoing reflection can be a vital part of the healing process.

What Are the Different Types of Memorials for Ashes?

Cremated ashes can be part of various memorials, each offering unique ways to remember and celebrate a loved one's life. Here are some popular options:

Columbarium Niches

A columbarium is a structure with niches to hold urns containing ashes. It can be found in cemeteries, churches, or dedicated columbarium facilities. A columbarium provides a dignified and permanent resting place, allowing family members to visit and pay their respects.

Burial in a Cemetery

Even when your loved one chooses cremation, you can still bury the ashes in a cemetery. This option combines the benefits of cremation with the tradition of a burial plot. It offers a permanent, easily accessible location for family visits and future generations. Many cemeteries have special sections for cremation burials, which can be more affordable than traditional plots.

Scattering Gardens

Scattering gardens are designated areas within cemeteries or parks where ashes can be scattered. These gardens are often beautifully landscaped and provide a serene environment for reflection. They also offer a communal space where multiple families can visit and remember their loved ones. Some scattering gardens provide plaques or memorial stones to mark the spot, giving visitors a focal point for their reflections.

Cremated Ashes in Benches, Pedestals, or Water Features

Incorporating cremated ashes into memorial benches, pedestals, or features like a water fountain, provides a unique and lasting tribute to a loved one. You have nearly limitless options for customizing these memorials to reflect someone’s beliefs, passion, or personality. Each piece is crafted to hold a small portion of ashes, ensuring the memory of the departed becomes an integral part of a peaceful garden, park, or waterfront setting, fostering a connection to nature and tranquility.

Private Family Estate

A private family estate, or mausoleum, offers an exclusive and serene final resting place for multiple generations. This dedicated space allows families to remain together, fostering a sense of continuity and heritage. Private estates provide a tranquil environment, often featuring customized landscaping and memorial structures, ensuring a personalized and respectful setting. Family mausoleums offer privacy, seclusion, and the comfort of knowing that loved ones rest together.

Burial at Sea

Burial at sea using a biodegradable urn is a respectful and environmentally friendly option for honoring a loved one. These urns are designed to dissolve naturally in water, ensuring that the ashes are gently dispersed into the ocean. Families often receive a certificate with the latitude and longitude of their loved one’s resting place, so they may visit the area on anniversaries and other occasions. As with all ash scattering ceremonies, be mindful of state, local, and federal laws for burial at sea.

Memorial Benches and Pedestals

Ashes can be incorporated into the construction of a memorial bench or the planting of a tree. These living memorials offer a natural, environmentally friendly way to honor the deceased. Memorial benches and trees can be placed in parks, gardens, or other meaningful locations. These memorials grow and change with the seasons, symbolizing the ongoing cycle of life.

Can Cremated Ashes Be Part of Wearable Memorials?

Cremated ashes can be transformed into several kinds of “wearable memorials.” These unique keepsakes allow you to carry a piece of your loved one with you at all times. 

Cremation Jewelry

Cremation jewelry includes necklaces, bracelets, and rings that contain a small portion of ashes. These pieces are designed to be discreet yet meaningful, providing a personal and intimate way to remember your loved one. The designs can range from simple and elegant to intricate and personalized, offering something to suit every taste.

Parting Stone

Parting Stone offers a unique service where they transform cremated ashes into beautiful, polished stones. These stones can be carried in a pocket, placed in a special location, or even worn as jewelry, offering a tangible and comforting connection to the deceased. Each stone is unique, symbolizing the individuality of the person it commemorates. The company suggests you follow rules for cremated remains when you choose your location.

Memorial Diamonds

Several companies can create memorial diamonds from cremated ashes. This process involves extracting carbon from the ashes and transforming it into a beautiful, high-quality diamond. These diamonds can be set into various types of jewelry, creating a lasting and precious memorial. The process is lengthy and meticulous, resulting in a gem that is both scientifically and emotionally significant.

Other Memorial Items

Beyond traditional jewelry, ashes can be incorporated into a variety of other keepsakes, such as glass ornaments, keychains, and even tattoos. These items provide creative and personal ways to keep your loved one's memory close. Tattoo artists can mix a small amount of ashes with ink to create a permanent tribute on your skin, making the memory literally part of you.

How Can Ashes Be Used in Creative Memorials?

Cremated ashes can be part of many types of memorials, offering endless possibilities for creativity and personalization.

Memorial Art

Ashes can be mixed with paint or other mediums to create unique pieces of art. This can include paintings, sculptures, or other artistic expressions that capture the essence of your loved one. Memorial art can be displayed in your home, providing a beautiful and constant reminder of the person you lost.

Vinyl Records

For music lovers, ashes can be pressed into vinyl records. These records can include the deceased's favorite music or even recordings of their voice, providing a deeply personal and unique way to remember them. This option combines a love of music with a tangible keepsake, making it perfect for those who had a special connection to songs or sounds.

Space Memorials

Companies like Celestis offer the option to send a portion of ashes into space. This extraordinary memorial can be part of a space launch, providing a truly out-of-this-world tribute. It’s a fitting choice for those who dreamed of the stars or had a passion for space exploration.

Fireworks

Ashes can be incorporated into fireworks, creating a spectacular display in honor of your loved one. This option can be part of a celebration of life event, offering a beautiful and memorable way to say goodbye. Fireworks provide a dramatic and celebratory send-off, making the moment both poignant and uplifting.

Aquatic Reefs

For those who loved the ocean, ashes can be mixed into concrete and used to create artificial reefs. These reefs provide a lasting tribute and contribute to marine conservation efforts. Over time, the reef will become home to marine life, symbolizing the continuation of life and the interconnectedness of all living things.

How to Choose the Right Memorial Option?

Choosing the right memorial option involves considering several factors, including personal preferences, budget, and your loved one’s wishes.

Personal Preferences

Think about what would best honor your loved one and reflect their personality. Would they prefer a natural setting, a piece of jewelry, or something more unconventional like a space memorial? Consider what made them unique and how that can be incorporated into their memorial.

Budget

Memorial options vary widely in cost. It's important to consider your budget and choose an option that is both meaningful and affordable. From simple keepsakes to elaborate memorials, there are options to fit every budget. Remember that the most expensive option is not necessarily the most meaningful; it’s the thought and personal connection that matter most.

Final Wishes 

If your loved one’s funeral prearrangements or end-of-life plans include a permanent memorial, it's important to honor their wishes. This can provide peace of mind knowing that their final wishes were respected. Discussing these wishes with family members can also ensure that everyone agrees and that the memorial reflects the loved one's desires. You may gently encourage them to share their thoughts on what they’d like to include in their end-of-life plans, including for a permanent memorial.

Environmental Impact

Consider the environmental impact of the memorial option you choose. Many people are now looking for eco-friendly options, such as tree planting or reef creation, which can have positive environmental effects. These options can be a fitting tribute to someone who cared about the planet and sustainability. There are pros and cons to many of the "green" options, so choose the one that resonates with you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation Memorials

Can You Keep Cremated Ashes at Home?

Yes, you can keep cremated ashes at home. Many people choose to keep the ashes in an urn placed in a special location within their home. This allows them to feel the constant presence of their loved one and can be very comforting. There are unique cremation urns available to match any decor and preference. 

Is It Legal to Scatter Ashes Anywhere?

No, it is not legal to scatter ashes just anywhere. There are specific regulations and restrictions depending on the location. Public places like parks and beaches often require permits. It's important to check local laws and obtain any necessary permissions before scattering ashes. Many designated scattering gardens and private properties allow this practice without legal issues.

Can You Use Any Type of Urn for Burial at Sea?

Not all urns are appropriate for a water burial. Biodegradable urns are made from eco-friendly materials like paper, salt, or clay and are designed to break down naturally over time when buried or placed in water. They are ideal for those who want an environmentally friendly option for their loved one's ashes. They allow for a more natural return to the earth and can be part of a meaningful ceremony.

Celebrate Their Lives with a Forever Memorial 

Mental health experts and religious leaders encourage memorialization as a vital and necessary step in the grieving process. It allows us to honor and remember our loved ones in meaningful ways. Whether through a traditional columbarium niche, a piece of jewelry, or a creative and unique tribute, memorials provide a way to keep their memory alive and offer a place for family and friends to gather and reflect.

Ultimately, memorials are about celebrating life. They provide a way to remember the good times, share stories, and keep the memory of your loved one alive in your heart and home. You create a lasting tribute that honors their unique spirit by choosing a memorial that truly reflects the individual's life and passions.

If you would like to speak with an Afterall professional about a permanent memorial, click here to find a location near you.