Articles and Advice

What Is Cremation Jewelry? A Way to Honor Your Dearly Departed

Cremation jewelry is a custom-designed accessory that contains a portion of your loved one’s cremated remains. These decorative pieces allow many people to still feel close to their loved ones even after they’ve departed from this life.

The History of Cremation Jewelry

The idea of cremation jewelry likely came from memorial jewelry, which has been around for millennia. Memorial jewelry, though, did not always use cremated remains. Before cremation was common, people would use teeth, hair, and even drops of blood to create memorial jewelry. Even if the remains weren’t used, people would engrave their loved one’s name on their jewelry as a reminder.

The most notable time someone used memorial jewelry was when Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert, died in 1861. She kept a locket with his hair and even gifted her entire court a black ring to commemorate the Prince’s death. After that, mourning and memorial jewelry became widely popular.

While memorial jewelry is still common today, cremation jewelry has gained popularity in recent years. People have found creative ways to incorporate their loved one’s cremated remains in jewelry, art, and other media.

Examples of Cremation Jewelry

Cremation jewelry comes in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. These are four of the most common options you will likely find:



• Necklaces. Pendants and necklaces are worn loosely around the neck and can feature any number of shapes and sizes to commemorate your loved one.
• Rings. Rings are perhaps the most personal form of cremation jewelry—the ring has to be fitted to the wearer, meaning not just anyone can wear it.
• Bracelets. If you don’t like wearing jewelry on your hands or neck, bracelets are a comfortable form that still helps you remember your loved one.
• Keychains. Aside from jewelry, keychains are a great customizable way to commemorate your departed. Attach it to your backpack, car keys, and anything else you carry often to bring a part of them along with you.

How Are Cremated Remains Incorporated Into Jewelry?

Most cremated remains are incorporated into cremated jewelry by infusion or internal urns.

Infusion

Infusion occurs when the jewelry designer puts loose cremated remains directly into the jewelry. A common example of this is a swirl of dust within a resin-based gem, which creates a beautiful pattern to remember your loved one by.

Internal Urns

Some cremation jewelry will have a small, internal urn within their design that holds a small portion of your loved one’s cremated remains. They will stay put with the aid of a screw or other design element, keeping their ashes protected and respected.

Is Cremation Jewelry Right for You?

While you know what cremation jewelry is, how can you be sure it’s the right thing for you? Whether you should get cremation jewelry depends on what you believe is the best way to honor your loved one’s memory.

Ask yourself: will this help you remember your loved one in the long run? If your answer is yes, then you should absolutely get cremation jewelry. If you aren’t sure, then maybe you can think of other ways to memorialize your dearly departed.

You might also need to consider how cremation jewelry fits into your belief system. For example, you may not want to get cremation jewelry if you practice a religion that does not support cremation. 

Ultimately, getting cremation jewelry is up to you. If you have a strong gut reaction to the idea, be it negative or positive, there’s no harm in following that impression.

Let All California Cremation Help

Are you planning a cremation? Do you have questions about the process? All California Cremation can help. We want to make sure your loved one is properly respected after they’ve departed. Our professionals will be on the line to answer any questions you may have about cremation and our cremation services. 

You may also want to visit our frequently asked questions to clear up some concerns or worries you may have.