The most traditional urns in New Zealand are the wooden urns. In the past people would often match the casket used at the funeral to the urn. Putting the ashes in a traditional urn meant that they could then keep them at home for a while, and often later would bury them in a family grave. As time has gone on, people have moved more to scattering of ashes. Some still choose to have a traditional urn so that even after scattering of ashes they can then keep the urn as a ‘treasure box’ to keep sentimental items in.
Keepsakes and cremation jewellery are quite a modern thing, with Keepsakes being a mini urn, a min version of the bigger ashes urn. Keepsakes are used when the larger amount of ash are buried, scattered or sent overseas but family wishes to hang onto a small amount. Cremation Jewellery is much the same, where a tiny amount (a small pinch) is placed inside especially made jewellery. Our cremation jewellery range is huge and popular when people don’t want to ‘split ashes’ but see this as a way to keep a loved one close.
There are also many other different ways to personalise ashes including
Touchstones which is glass blowing where some of the ash is gently tossed into the glass making it highly personal.
You can choose the size, style and the colour that goes through it.
Sending ashes into space is another innovation available now in New Zealand. The ashes go into containers that when they go up in a small rocket which then is exploded in the stratosphere.
Diamonds, is an American innovation, where the ashes are compressed down in an expensive but effective process to create a tiny diamond. Really expensive process, but very special for those wanting this. There are a huge number of ways to memorialise ashes and we are happy to talk you through some of these.
Also feel free to watch the full video about ashes on our you tube channel or through our website/posts
