I’ve never heard of using cremation ashes (cremains) in objects. Is it unusual?

Actually, cattle cremains have been used in bone china since 1800, giving porcelain its strength and durability.

Will I be able to see my loved one’s ashes in the piece?

It is possible to see the ashes in most Art From Ashes sculptural pieces and in some of the glass beads. In the sculptural pieces, some of the ashes can be seen through the bottom of the piece as a swirl of white dots/fragments.   However it is unlikely that you will be able to see the ashes in the Phoenix Stone, Perfume Bottle or finial top of the Walking Stick because the ash is completely incorporated into the color and design of the piece. The ashes are occasionally visible in the Remembrance Beads as tiny white dots, depending on the choice of color and the transparency of the glass.  Please let us know if you would or would not prefer to be able to see a small bit of the cremains in the piece, so we can let the artist(s) know.

Would you consider creating a remembrance using human ashes? 

Yes, we create remembrances with human cremains incorporated into the glass.  One client ordered nine different pieces that were presented at a gathering following a memorial service.  You may order a design that we currently offer by clicking on the piece of your choice from our Gallery of Remembrances. Although Art From Ashes initially only memorialized pets, in response to numerous requests we now also create remembrances incorporating human cremated remains.  If you are interested in commissioning a unique remembrance of your own design, please fill in the box on the Commissioned Piece page.

How do I know that you have used my loved one’s cremains?

This is a frequently asked question and one that crematoriums also encounter. Just as a loved one’s body is entrusted to a crematorium, so are those cremains entrusted to Art From Ashes.  Everyone at Art From Ashes (including the artists) knows how important it is to respect and preserve the individual memory of your loved one. To guarantee your peace of mind, we have worked hard to create a system that ensures that accurately identified cremains are used in each piece.

What do you do with any unused cremains?

We will be happy to return any unused cremains for an additional fee. Simply check this option on the order form. After a piece is completed, only a tiny amount of ashes remain.  If you do not require that they be returned, Art From Ashes periodically scatters the human cremains in a park-like cemetery and the animal cremains in a beautiful pet memorial park.  Unused ashes are never discarded.

Do I have to send all the ashes?

No, you only need to send us 1 teaspoon of the cremains for each remembrance.  Once you place your order, you will be sent a Remembrance Kit which includes a sift-proof plastic bag and disposable spoon, as well as a labeled return envelope. Save the remaining cremains to make additional glass memorials in the future, or to bury or scatter, according to your municipal regulations.

I have the ashes of 5 of my pets. What options do I have?

Some people choose to combine a small amount of the cremains of several pets and then have one remembrance created in memory of all of the pets.  Others have individual remembrances created for each one. Art From Ashes now offers a new option: a necklace or bracelet of glass remembrance beads. The beads can be created either from a combination of the cremains, or else the artist can make several beads with the cremains of each individual pet, creating a multi-bead necklace or bracelet that memorializes all of the pets.  Several remembrances have also been created using the combined cremains of two parents or other loved ones.

Your prices seem high; I’ve seen glass artwork for much less.

Much of the glass art on the market is mass-produced. Our pieces are individually hand-blown by master craftspeople.  Incorporating the cremains requires even more time and care on the artisan’s part to ensure that each unique remembrance receives the respect it deserves.    

The phoenix bird on your logo is not the frightening bird that I remember from mythology.

There are many descriptions and images associated with this legendary bird. The common belief is that the immortal Phoenix rises again from the ashes of its own funeral pyre every 300 to 1000 years, depending on the legend. The Phoenix is symbolic of rebirth, hope, eternity, and immortality.  Please refer to our Links and Resources page to learn more about the history of the Phoenix.

Do you sell or ship pieces internationally?

We currently have our secure online merchant account set to accept payments automatically only from credit cards within the United States.  We are able to accept credit card payments worldwide, but have chosen to process international transactions individually due to each country having its own regulations regarding the transportation of cremated remains.  Please check with your country’s postal restrictions to ensure that cremated remains may be transported via the mail.  Once you are ready to place an order, please contact Art From Ashes, and we will coordinate the order process with you.  Shipping prices vary by destination, so a shipping estimate will be calculated prior to placing an order.  In addition to shipping costs, many countries also require additional fees, including customs, duties and import taxes; these fees can sometimes be exorbitant.  These charges are not and cannot be included in the shipping estimate provided by Art From Ashes. Please note that you will not be able to claim your remembrance unless you pay the customs/import fees required by many countries.