Cremation Rocks: What are they and how are they used or displayed?
Cremation Rocks (also known as Cremation Stones or Living Stones), are beautiful reminders of our loved ones that incorporate their ashes in the shape of solid “rocks”. These unique memorial items carry significant meaning to many as they can keep their loved one close or visible in the home, or placed at any other meaningful location. Below we dive into their meaning, common things people do with them, and frequently asked questions about Cremation Rocks.
Cremation Rock Meaning
Traditionally, families who chose cremation would place their loved one’s ashes in an urn on the mantle. However, over the past ten years the rate of cremation has surged (mainly due to the cost of cremation vs. burial among many other reasons) and there has been a shift from having a more traditional urn on the mantle to other, more unique memorials. This includes scattering ashes at one or more special places, burying ashes, including ashes with a Living Urn to grow a tree, sending them into space, and now, having cremation rocks made with ashes.
Cremation rocks represent much more than a simple stone – it is a loved one or beloved pet ~ someone you cherished. Because these rocks are made with their ashes, they are a truly meaningful memorial that many people feel a sentimental connection to. Some people choose to keep one with them at all times (as they feel they have their loved one by their side), while others will make a special visible memorial outdoors with the rocks.
Cremation Rocks: How Are They Used or Displayed?
There are endless things families do with their loved one’s cremation rocks. Below we highlight six of the more popular ones...
1) Kept at home in a special place
Some of a family’s most cherished memories are in the home. This can include holidays, birthdays, or just daily meals or routines. Once a loved one passes, they are sorely missed and having the rocks displayed somewhere prominent in the home is common. This can include in the living room, dining room, bedroom, or anywhere else a family sees fit.
2) Kept with you
Many people choose to keep one or more of the cremation rocks with them at all times. This can be in their pocket, a handbag, backpack, briefcase, car glove box, or other unique place.
3) Placed in the yard or garden
If a loved one liked to spend time outdoors tending their garden or just outside in general, placing the rocks in the yard or garden can be a great way to honor them.
4) Scattered at a special place
Many people have that one or two favorite places they hold dear. This can include a favorite vacation spot, river, lake, etc. By placing or scattering some or all of their cremation rocks there it can carry extra special meaning.rBuried at a place they held dear.
Similar to scattering at a special place, you can also choose to bury their rocks there. This is a more discrete way to honor them and will allow for the rocks to stay in place for years to come.
5) Placed on a favorite hiking trail
If your loved one (or pet) loved the outdoors and getting out on a hike, remember back to their favorite trail, head on out for a memorial hike, and place their rocks along the way or at a special resting place on the trail.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cremation Rocks
As Cremation Rocks (or Cremation Stones) are a new keepsake offering, many questions arise from families and funeral homes. Below we highlight some of the most common ones.
Can I Still Get an Urn with Cremation Rocks?
Yes, Living Stones come in sets of 1, 3, 5, or 10 and only require a small portion of a loved one’s ashes. The remaining ashes can be included in another memorial or urn of your choice. This can include a Living Urn tree burial, scattering at sea, urn in the home, or any other memorial you can think of.
Are Cremation Rocks Available for Pets?
Yes, cremation rocks are also offered for our beloved pets. These are made the same way as the ones offered for people and typically only require a small portion of your pet’s ashes (the exception can be a very small pet when ordering 10 or more stones, which could require all of the ashes be used).
How Much Do Cremation Rocks Cost?
The cost of cremation rocks vary by who is making them and the quantity of stones offered. For example, the cost of Living Stones ranges from $149 for 1 stone up to $589 for 10 stones.
How Long Does it take to Make Cremation Rocks?
Living Stones are shipped back to you within 45 days after the ashes are received by the US studio.
Can We Get Cremation Rocks Sooner than 45 days? Can They Be Expedited?
While the ash collection kit can be expedited to you, production of Living Stones starts right after the ashes are received and the 45 day timeframe is needed to complete the numerous steps involved (this includes hand forming, drying etc.).