Popular Memorial Keepsakes in 2026
As more and more families choose cremation over burial for their loved ones, the popularity of keepsakes continues to increase. Cremation keepsakes are small memorial items that can be ordered in multiples and shared among family and friends so each person can honor a loved one who’s passed in a special way. These are commonly made out of ceramic, glass, brass, wood or other materials and many of keepsakes either include a small amount of a loved one’s ashes in the piece or have an opening to place a small amount of ashes in. 
10 Popular Keepsake Options
With the thousands of keepsakes available online or at your local funeral home, we narrowed it down to some of the most popular keepsake options below.
1) Cremation Stones – cremation stones are unique memorial items that you can touch and feel. These were first introduced over 15 years ago and have become quite popular with multiple companies offering stones. One of these cremation stone options that is growing in popularity are the unique Living Stones - these are only offered in keepsake quantities and require a small amount of ashes that are mixed with natural minerals to make the stones. Living Stones come in sets of 1, 3, 5, or 10 stones and make for a great tangible way to honor a loved one (or pet). Handmade in our US based studio, custom Living Stones are produced and returned to a family within 45 days of receiving the ashes. 
2) Glass Memorial Pieces – memorial glass keepsakes are infused with a small amount of a loved one’s ashes and come in multiple colors and shapes from multiple suppliers nationwide. Living Glass is a brand that provides high quality hearts, orbs, and touchstones at a reasonable price. Each shape has multiple color options and custom Living Glass pieces are sent back to families and funeral homes within 45 days of receiving the ashes.
3) Songbirds – these are available in multiple colors and in three different materials (wood, brass, and glass). Songbird keepsakes hold a small amount of ashes and is a beautiful and discrete way to honor a loved one in the home.
4) Ashes in Ceramic Glaze – this is a new option that’s growing in popularity. The Living Urn’s version of these is Living Shapes Keepsakes where you can choose your shape and then glaze color online. Then, within a few days after ordering, you receive a collection kit to send a small amount of ashes back to the studio where the ashes are mixed with the glaze that’s place on the shape you chose to make a beautiful memorial piece that can be cherished for years to come! Shape options currently include vases, candles, a songbird, and a picture frame.
5) Cremation Jewelry – there are thousands of cremation jewelry pieces available online and in funeral homes nationwide. The Living Urn has a curated collection of some of the most popular versions of cremation jewelry. This includes the Circle of Life Pendant that can include an optional birthstone in the center of the piece and the Tree of Life Pendant – both are made from premium 925 sterling silver and hold a small amount of a loved one’s ashes.
6) Memorial Bracelets – a relatively new option, memorial bracelets are becoming quite popular nationwide. The Living Urn offers a premium stainless steel cuff cremation bracelet in gold, silver, or black that can be engraved with a loved one’s name, date of birth and/or death. The Living Urn also offers Forever Bracelets that are premium rope chains with a stainless steel pendant – pendant options include a heart, cross or cylinder. Both bracelet options hold a small amount of a loved one’s ashes.
7) Fingerprint Jewelry - this is a unique way to honor a loved one – you’re able to wear the piece to honor a loved one wherever you go. Most fingerprint jewelry does not hold any ashes and simply has a loved one’s fingerprint either milled or engraved on the front of the piece. Standard offerings, such as from the Living Touch line, includes a heart, teardrop, oval, cross, dog tag, and knife.
8) Indoor Wood Planter – The Living Urn Planter Keepsake is a beautiful work of art - handmade from premium walnut and cherry wood. This unique keepsake holds a succulent or other small plant on top and is a wonderful addition to most home décor without people knowing it’s a keepsake urn. The top and bottom sections of the planter are held together by rare earth magnets with a cavity inside to hold a loved one’s ashes.
9) Candles – candles are a great way to honor a loved one and come in many shapes and sizes. The Living Urn offers a beautiful keepsake candle option with the Crystal Memory Candle Urn – this is made from Czech crystals, comes in multiple colors, and holds a small amount of a loved one’s ashes.
10) Cuddle Stones – Cuddle Stones are beautiful handmade ceramic stones that have a cavity inside to be filled with a loved one's ashes. These come in a variety of stunning colors and every cuddle stone is unique!
As more and more families continue to choose cremation, additional keepsake options are being introduced each year. Check back for our next list of most popular keepsakes coming out in 2027!