Simple, yet beautiful, cremation stones — also known as cremation rocks, memorial stones, parting stones or solidified remains — are increasingly emerging as a way to encapsulate the essence of a departed loved one in a timeless work of art. Instead of an urn or box of ashes to be scattered or kept on display, cremation stones can be held and embraced, offering a tangible way to literally “keep in touch”. But what exactly are cremation stones and how are they made?
Creating a cremation stone
Several companies around the world will make a cremation stone from your loved one’s ashes, and they all tend to follow a similar process. First, you will need to send the company the ashes, or they will provide you with a collection kit to use. Once they’ve received the ashes, they combine a portion of the ashes with binding materials to create the memorial rock or rocks, depending on the company. You are then sent the resulting keepsakes.
Is the process environmentally friendly?
While heat may be required to create cremation stones, as they might need to be fired in a kiln — and this uses energy — the rest of the process is generally very environmentally friendly. For example, New Zealand company Reterniti creates its stones by adding natural, non-toxic binding materials to the ashes and presents the stone resting on New Zealand wool and a wooden plinth. Companies such as Parting Stone in the United States, are willing to work with ashes processed through water cremation, adding to the eco-friendliness of the process.
Why are cremation stones different colours?
Just as each individual is unique, so too is each cremation stone. Colours range from creamy white shades to tones of grey, while the texture will also vary slightly, depending on the texture of the original ashes. To further personalize the stone, some companies offer engraving of a loved one’s name or a symbol such as a heart, or can embed objects into the stone, adding an additional layer of meaning.
What size is a cremation stone?
Cremation rocks vary considerably in size, depending on the company making them, the amount of ash used, and the process itself. For example, Reterniti produces stones about the size of a flattened baseball, weighing just over 2 pounds (1 kilogram), and can produce up to four stones from the ashes of one person. In addition, they have a cremation pebble option, which results in up to 20 smaller stones being created. This is ideal if remains need to be shared among multiple family members, or if you would like to keep some stones but leave others in places that were significant to your loved one.
Parting Stone produces their solidified remains in sizes ranging from the size of a quarter to the length of a credit card, with a full set of human ashes resulting in between 40 and 80 stones.
How long will cremation rocks last?
inside, there is no real limit on the lifespan of a Reterniti cremation stone. However, if it is placed outside and exposed to the elements, it will weather over time and eventually return to the earth. On the other hand, the memorial stones produced by Parting Stone behave in the same way as natural stone and do not disintegrate or dissolve.
Glass cremation stones
If the rock-like nature of these cremation stones doesn’t appeal, there is another alternative. Emberstones is an American company that offers a stunning range of handcrafted memorials infused with cremation ashes. These range from glass orbs and pebbles to luminary stones, skipping stones and pendants. SoulBursts create glass ‘touchstones’, that fuse a small amount of ash into blown glass. As with cremation stones, these can come in range of sizes, and because of the glass component they also come in a wide range of beautiful colours.
Conclusion
Cremation stones represent more than just physical objects. They are symbols of love, loss and remembrance. Whether displayed in a garden, placed in a significant location, or kept in a pocket for constant connection, these stones serve as enduring tributes to the important people in our lives who are no longer with us.