What is Cremation Glass?

Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience, filled with waves of emotion and memories that linger in the heart. In the midst of grief, finding a meaningful way to honor and remember those we have lost can provide comfort and a sense of connection. Cremation glass is hand-blown glass infused with cremated remains or ashes. Cremation glass can be made into many different types of keepsakes, including urns, orbs, hearts, and touchstones. These special urns offer a unique and beautiful way to keep a piece of your loved one close, transforming a small portion of their ashes into a stunning, lasting piece of art.

How to Make Cremation Glass

Most cremation glass is made using the glassblowing technique. When properly heated, glass behaves like a liquid. Using a combination of tools, including their breath, glassblowers carefully shape molten or liquid glass into the desired form. To use their breath, molten glass is placed at the end of a long pipe, and the glassblower puffs carefully regulated amounts of air into the pipe from the opposite end. This method is commonly used for making vessels like urns.

The ashes are artistically incorporated into the molten glass and will be fully visible once the piece is finished. Since molten glass is heated to temperatures around 2000, this changes the color of the ashes. Cremation is done at less than 2000 degrees, so when the cremains are mixed with the molten glass, it turns a brilliant white color as carbon is burned off. The glass artist will continue to work with the glass, shaping and coloring it like normal glass. Once your cremation glass piece is finished, it’s cooled slowly for 12-48 hours. This prevents cracking.

Cremation Orbs

Cremation orbs or globes are one of the most popular styles of cremation glass keepsake urns. Some orbs are made with a hook, which can be hung to catch the light. They come in every color imaginable. Colors are swirled through clear globes, showcasing brilliant white cremation ashes.

Another popular orb style is the globe paperweight. These orbs come with flat bottoms so they can rest sturdily on whatever stack of papers needs tackling next. A beautiful cremation paperweight will be a solid companion during daily chores.

Some orbs feature beautiful flowers or other botanicals. These flowers aren’t abstract shapes but are lifelike replicas of nature’s most beautiful ornaments. You can choose a specific type of flower in the color of your choosing.

Glass Hearts

Another common request cremation glass blowers receive is for a cremation glass keepsake to be made with the departed’s favorite colors. And since hearts are one of the top cremation keepsake shapes, many have glass hearts made to honor their lost loved ones. The Living Urn’s Living Hearts Glass keepsake comes in three radiant colors: lily green, ocean blue, or peaceful sunset. These beautiful keepsakes symbolize the place your departed loved one will always occupy in your heart.

Cremation Glass Touchstones

Glass Touchstones are a popular and economical way to gift multiple cremation glass keepsakes. And, unlike a lot of cremation glass, this is an item that is not only intended for everyday use but to be kept on your person in a pocket or a bag. Touchstones are small, oval disks with a curved indentation on one side, almost the kind of shape you’d make by pressing your thumb gently into clay. This shape is recreated in glass and meant to be used like a “worry” stone, rubbed when thinking, stressed, or otherwise fidgety. It can give each family member a small token of their loved one to keep with them.

Glass Ornaments

There is an almost endless variety of cremation glass ornaments. Memorial flames are popular, shaped like a captured flame in your chosen color. Hummingbirds are often chosen for their beauty and ability to be hung in a sunny window to watch their real-life counterparts. Although ashes are housed rather than infused, The Living Urn’s Glass Songbird features unique swirls of colors, making it a one-of-a-kind keepsake. Another popular shape is the egg. Similar to the orb, it is often used as a paperweight. The unique shape of the egg allows for dramatic use of color. Flowers are chosen by many for their beauty, versatility, and ability to be displayed. However, if the shape or item you’re looking for isn’t available, you can work with a custom glass artist to make whatever you want.

Glass Keepsake Urns

Glass keepsake urns are perhaps some of the most profound of the cremation glass items. A cremation glass urn allows you to display your departed loved one’s remains in a meaningful and beautiful way. While not infused with ashes, Living Glass Keepsake Urns are beautiful, small urns made from glass designed to hold or scatter a portion of your loved one’s ashes.

Because of its versatility and beauty, glass has become a cherished medium for creating cremation keepsakes. These unique pieces allow individuals and families to keep a tangible part of their departed loved ones close by. Whether crafted for personal remembrance or shared among a group, cremation glass keepsakes offer a beautiful and lasting tribute. Visit The Living Urn’s store today and explore our exquisite line of handcrafted glass keepsakes!