Glossary
What is cremation jewelry?
Cremation jewelry is a keepsake — such as a pendant, ring, or bracelet — designed to hold a small amount of a loved one's cremated remains, a lock of hair, or a pinch of soil. Also called memorial or remembrance jewelry, it lets families keep a tangible connection close.
Pieces usually have a small sealed compartment; some designs set ashes into glass or resin, or infuse them into a memorial gemstone. Only a tiny portion of the cremated remains is used.
Cremation jewelry is one of many keepsake options families choose alongside or instead of scattering or keeping an urn.
Related terms
Cremains
Cremains is a common term for cremated remains — the bone fragments left after cremation, processed into a coarse, sandy material. They are returned to the family and can be kept in an urn, buried, scattered, or placed in a niche.
Urn
An urn is a container that holds cremated remains. Urns come in many materials, sizes, and styles — from simple boxes to decorative vessels and biodegradable options — and may be kept at home, buried, or placed in a columbarium niche.
Scattering
Scattering is the dispersal of cremated remains in a chosen place, such as a garden, the sea, or private land. Where you may scatter is governed by state and local rules and by property owners' permission, so families usually check before planning.
Common questions about Cremation jewelry
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