8 Unique Things To Do with a Loved One’s Ashes

Losing a loved one is never easy, and we all have our ways to keep them close after they pass. But now, if your friends or family choose cremation, there is a range of things to do with a loved one's ashes to honour and remember their life in a special and unique way. 

 So, to help find the perfect place to keep your loved one close, we’re sharing eight things to do with a loved one’s ashes. These ideas range from turning their ashes into a diamond, using them to make a tattoo, incorporating them into artwork and more! 

1. Create a vinyl record of their favourite song 

Is there a song that instantly reminds you of your loved one? Then consider adding their ashes to a vinyl record. When making the record, they press the ashes into the vinyl. So although you can see them in the record, it doesn’t affect its playability. Instead, it adds a little of your loved one to your favourite music.  

2. Add them into a glass sculpture or artwork 

One of the most popular things to do with a loved one’s ashes is adding them to memorial glass or artwork. These things allow you to create a beautiful keepsake and a physical connection to your departed loved ones. To continue celebrating their life, choose a glass or artwork that holds personal significance to them. 

3. Turn ashes into diamonds 

Turn a precious love into something priceless. Brands like Lonite can turn human hair and cremation ashes into GIA certified diamonds. You could incorporate it into a piece of cremation jewellery or a family heirloom to hand down to the next generation. 

4. Blast them into space

Did your loved one always dream of going to the stars? Help them fulfil their wish by sending their ashes into space. This unique way to honour their life launches a symbolic portion of ashes into near-space or beyond. So you can take your loved one to the moon and help them land amongst the stars. 

5. Turn them into jewellery

If you want to keep your loved one close to your heart, consider turning their ashes into a piece of jewellery. Australian brands like Keepsake Jewellery specialise in pendants that hold ashes or hair safely inside. 

6. Get a tattoo with ashes

A tattoo is one way to make sure your loved one is with you – forever. By using their ashes to create a tattoo, you’re making them a part of you. Cremation tattoos incorporate ashes into the ink to create something special to memorialise your loved one.

7. Grow a tree with cremated urns 

Bring your loved one back to nature by growing a tree with cremated urns. These ‘living urns’ allow your loved one’s memory to continue to grow and to give you somewhere to go to remember them. This option is also an environmentally friendly way to use the ashes. 

8. Become a part of the coral reef

In Australia, our oceans have a special place in our hearts. One of the most special things to do with a loved one’s ashes includes allowing them to become a part of the coral reef. Artificial reef balls are lowered into the sea and are an ideal way to memorialise someone who spent their life by the water. 

With cremations becoming increasingly more popular than burials in Australia, there are more and more unique things to do with a loved one’s ashes. This list highlights just eight of the possibilities that you could explore. 

If you’ve written a cremation into your will, you could also add your wish of what you would like done with your ashes. If you have an idea of how you want to be remembered by your loved ones, writing a will is the best way to ensure your wishes come true.