Cremation Rocks: What are they and how are they made?
With more and more people choosing cremation, many families are looking for uplifting keepsake memorials of their loved one. This includes Cremation Rocks, beautiful smooth stones made from ashes of a loved one and various natural minerals. With a series of unique intricate steps, these unique custom rocks are formed and provide a lasting memory of a loved one.
In this blog we review the various cremation rock options and explain the benefits of this unique memorial keepsake.
Types of Cremation Rocks
Living Stones
This is a fairly new keepsake innovation where some or all of a loved one’s ashes can be included in the production of one or more beautiful cremation rocks or stones. These keepsakes are typically a unique ivory color and are very durable (will not dissolve in water and can be kept either indoors or outdoors, etc.). To produce these unique rocks, the ashes are mixed with natural minerals, hand formed in molds, placed in an extremely high temperature oven for multiple days, then finished and sanded into a smoothed form by skilled artisans. Since the outer shell of the rock does not contain any ashes, none of the ashes are lost during the production and finishing process. Then, this material is placed into a kiln (a very hot oven) and the material turns into hard “stones”.
In just a few months since introducing Living Stones to market, thousands of these beautiful rocks have been produced by the company and its skilled artists.
Living Glass Touchstones
An alternative that is growing in popularity involves having a loved one’s ashes included in glass rocks, also commonly referred to as glass touchstones or memory stones. These unique pieces are custom made by skilled glass artisans in a glass studio that’s specifically set up to handle ashes with the glass. The result are stunning “rocks” offered in an array of colors that can be placed in the home, outdoors, or any other place that is meaningful. The Living Urn currently offers these in Ocean Blue, Lily Green, and Peaceful Sunset (orange/red colors) with hundreds of five star reviews from families. New colors will be introduced in the next few months including purple, pink and other unique options.
Cuddle Stones
Cuddle stones are another option that’s growing in popularity. These colorful rocks come in a variety of vibrant colors (ocean blue, violet, green apple, pink, orange, crimson, golden memories, slate, black, white, etc.). Each rock can be filled with a small amount of a loved one’s ashes and serve as wonderful reminders of our lost loved ones. Many families order multiple cuddle stones and hand one out to each family member or friend. Commonly, these are kept on them in a pocket or handbag, or placed in a unique spot that has meaning to their loved one.
Wooden Cremation Rocks
Wooden cremation rocks display their beauty with vibrant grains. These unique pieces are commonly kept in the home and can be filled with a loved one’s ashes by a small opening on the bottom of the stone.
Other Cremation Rocks
Some families will take a real rock from a special place and use a drill or other tool to hollow out a space inside to fill with ashes and plug with cork, silicon or other material. Have a loved one’s ashes inside makes it extra special and a unique piece to keep in the home or garden.
Benefits of Cremation Rock Keepsakes
Hundreds of keepsake options exist to honor a loved one or pet. Many people wonder, why cremation rocks? Below we highlight some of the most common reasons why people love cremation rocks and why they have become one of the most popular keepsakes in the world.
1) Easy way to keep a loved one close
Cremation rocks can be kept with you, wherever you go - place it in your handbag, pocket, car, etc. – these make for a great way to keep a loved one close without handling the actual ashes (which can be messy and uncomfortable to handle).
2) Beautiful reminders
Cremation rocks are beautiful smooth pieces that represent a loved one. They come in multiple color and material options - making for a wonderful reminder! These can be placed in a special drawer, in the yard, in a bowl on a table, or anywhere else you see fit.
3) You can share them
Cremation rocks make for an easy way to share a remembrance piece with family and friends – a rock can give everyone a special reminder of their loved one and allow them to honor them in their own special way.
4) Bury or Scatter
Cremation rocks make it easy to bury or scatter a loved one. The stones are easy to travel with and there is no potential mess from the ashes. The rocks make for a beautiful memorial that can be cherished throughout time.
Other Cremation Rock Options
Cremation rocks can be made from many different materials and can either have the ashes included in the piece or simply filled in an opening in the rock.
Many people will order only a few cremation rocks and place the remaining ashes in an urn or scatter or bury them. This provides flexibility – you can decide what is best for you and your family.
In summary, cremation rocks are a wonderful keepsake option for families interested in memorializing a loved one in a special and unique way. These special rocks can be kept indoors, scattered or buried, or carried with you in a purse, backpack or pocket to always have you loved one close by.