How Are Ashes Incorporated Into Memorial Glass?
Choosing what to do with the ashes of someone you love - whether a family member, friend or much-loved pet - is incredibly personal.
Some people choose to scatter them somewhere special, while others prefer to keep a small amount close to them. Memorial glass art offers another option: incorporating a small quantity of cremation ashes into a unique piece of handmade glass that can be displayed and treasured.
From my studio on Hayling Island in Hampshire, I create memorial glass pieces using ashes sent to me from across the UK. Every piece is made individually, and I take great care throughout the process.
How does memorial glass with ashes work?
Only a very small amount of ashes is needed to create a memorial glass piece.
The ashes are carefully incorporated into the design before the glass is fired in my kiln. During firing, the different layers of glass soften and fuse together, permanently enclosing the ashes within the finished piece.
Because glass, ashes and heat can interact in slightly different ways during firing, every memorial piece is completely unique. For me, those little variations are part of what makes each one so special.
How much ash do I need to send?
You don’t need to part with a large quantity of ashes.
I provide a small 5ml container, which holds approximately a teaspoon. This is sufficient for me to work with, depending on the design you’ve chosen.
I understand that sending someone’s ashes through the post can feel daunting, so I want the process to be as straightforward and reassuring as possible.
Any ashes I don’t use in your piece are carefully returned to you with your finished memorial glass.
What can be made with cremation ashes?
A memorial doesn’t necessarily have to look like a traditional remembrance piece.
I create a variety of designs, including glass waves, beach scenes, hearts, pictures and other keepsakes. The ashes can often be incorporated quite subtly, allowing you to choose something that reflects the person or pet you’re remembering.
For someone who loved the sea, for example, a glass wave or coastal scene can be particularly meaningful. Another person may prefer a heart or a piece based around favourite colours.
I can also create commissioned pieces, so if you have an idea for something more personal, I’m always happy to discuss what’s possible.
Memorial glass for pet ashes
Our pets are part of our families, and losing them can leave an enormous gap.
I can incorporate pet cremation ashes into glass in exactly the same way, creating a lasting keepsake to remember a much-loved companion.
The design doesn’t have to overtly represent a pet unless you’d like it to. Sometimes a beautiful piece of glass containing their ashes is enough.
Will I be able to see the ashes?
This depends on the design, the type of ashes and how they behave during firing.
They may appear as small pale or textured areas within the glass, but I can also incorporate them into particular parts of a design. In a wave, for example, they can become part of the crest or shoreline.
I don’t try to make every trace of the ashes identical or perfectly uniform. Each person’s or pet’s ashes are different, and the firing process adds its own character.
That means no two memorial glass pieces will ever be exactly alike.
Can I send ashes if I don’t live near Hampshire?
Yes. Although my studio is on Hayling Island in Hampshire, my memorial glass service is available throughout the UK.
You don’t need to visit the studio personally. I can provide everything needed for sending the small quantity of ashes required, and your completed piece and any unused ashes are then carefully returned to you.
If you live locally, you’re also very welcome to contact me to discuss your memorial piece.
Creating something that feels right
There isn’t a right or wrong way to remember someone.
For some people, having a small amount of ashes incorporated into something beautiful provides a tangible connection without needing to keep or display a traditional urn.
For others, it’s about creating something that reflects a particular memory - the sea, a favourite place, certain colours or simply a piece of art they know their loved one would have liked.
Whatever you choose, I understand the significance of the ashes entrusted to me and treat every memorial piece with the care and respect it deserves.
If you’re considering having cremation ashes incorporated into glass and would like to talk through an idea before ordering, please feel free to get in touch.
Amanda x
Fusion Art Glasswork
Hayling Island, Hampshire
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