Creative Ways to Use Ashes in Artwork Beyond Jewellery
Creative ways to incorporate ashes into memorial artwork
Ashes can be incorporated into far more than jewellery alone. From hand-painted artwork to calligraphy pieces, many families now choose creative memorial art that becomes part of everyday life — something personal, comforting, and quietly meaningful.
- →Artwork can feel more personal than storing ashes in a traditional urn alone.
- →Different mediums create different effects — from subtle texture in paint to visible memorial glass inclusions.
- →You only need a very small amount of ashes for most memorial artwork commissions.
If you’re familiar with Ashes With Art, you’re likely already familiar with our ashes jewellery. This is a hugely popular way to memorialise a loved one with a unique and bespoke piece of jewellery containing the ashes of a person or a pet.
This isn’t the only way you can use ashes in an artwork. There are lots of artists providing memorial pieces that use ashes creatively. In this guide, we’re exploring some of the other ways you can use ashes in artwork, beyond the jewellery.
If you’re looking for the perfect artistic way to pay tribute to a loved one, consider the following memorial ideas that incorporate ashes and art.
Portrait, landscape and abstract paintings
Did you know there are memorial painters who will add the ashes of a loved one into their paint before creating an artwork. You could choose a portrait of the person, or a landscape painting of a scene that they loved. If you can’t decide on what the artwork should be, you can even choose an abstract artist to create something on a theme using colours as a starting point.
Ashes artworks are a beautiful way to pay tribute to a loved one. A painting of their favourite place or a picture of the person would be beautiful in itself, but to add the ashes to the paint adds an additional layer of meaning that can bring comfort and reassurance.
Glass sculpture
Another popular choice for memorial artwork is a glass sculpture. This could be a blown glass ornament, a wall sculpture or a stained glass design. Glass is a beautiful choice as it allows for the ashes to remain suspended in the material, floating forever in the colourful glazing. Smaller glass gemstones can also be created to be set into jewellery.
Glass is a better choice for memorial ashes than alternatives such as resin. This is simply because resin will break down over time, leaving the ashes exposed. Glass will be much more durable, provided it is protected against breakage. If you’re thinking about a glass memorial, you may also like our blog on what to ask when buying cremation jewellery or glass art memorials for guidance on commissioning responsibly.
Body art
Artwork can also be something that you carry around with you at all times. Tattoos are a common form of memorial, and many people will choose to get tribute tattoos every year. It’s also possible to take this one step further by adding the ashes into the tattoo ink.
This is a highly specialised form of tattooing that should be completely safe, provided it is done by someone who knows exactly what they are doing. Ashes are sterile due to the cremation process, so no human tissue or DNA should remain. You can have the ashes of a loved one placed in a tattoo so they will be with you for all of time.
Ways to turn ashes into meaningful artwork
Canvas paintings
Artists can blend ashes into acrylic or oil paint to create landscapes, abstract pieces, or portraits that become part of the home rather than something tucked away.
Calligraphy artwork
A favourite poem, handwritten letter, or song lyric can be transformed into framed calligraphy using memorial ink containing ashes for subtle texture and meaning.
Memorial glass sculptures
Kiln-fired memorial glass can preserve ashes within decorative hearts, paperweights, or display sculptures using sealed chamber techniques similar to cremation jewellery.
Ceramic keepsakes
Ashes can be incorporated into ceramic glazes for decorative bowls, ornaments, or handmade tiles that carry both artistic and emotional significance.
Resin artwork panels
Layered artwork panels can combine ashes with flowers, handwritten notes, fabrics, or photographs to create deeply personal mixed-media memorial pieces.
Memorial tattoos and ink art
Some specialist artists create memorial ink using a tiny amount of ashes for tattoos or bespoke ink drawings, creating a highly personal tribute.
Vinyl record pressings
Artwork can be expanded to include music. Did you know it’s possible to have ashes added to a vinyl pressing of your favourite song or of a voice recording of your loved one. The ashes are pressed into the vinyl and become part of the physical pressing. This can create a unique memorial piece that is ideal for music lovers and those who feel most connected to memory through music. Any time you want to remember your loved one, you can put on their memorial record.
Ceramics and pottery
If you want to enjoy your morning coffee with your loved one every day, you could consider having their ashes set into a coffee mug. Or if your loved one always bought you flowers, you might want to add their ashes to a planter or a vase. Ceramics and pottery are a beautiful way to create lasting artwork that will allow you to keep your loved one’s ashes close. Just be careful who you allow to use your memorial mug, as breaking it could be quite upsetting. This might be one that you keep for display only to prevent any mishaps.
Calligraphy
Ashes can be added into calligraphy ink and then used to create beautiful designs that you can hang on your wall. You could commission a calligraphy artist to turn a favourite poem or song lyrics into a stunning wall art design containing the ashes of a loved one. This creates a beautiful texture in the ink and turns a simple design into a beautiful memorial piece of artwork.
Mixed media collages
Creating a mixed media collage in memory of a loved one is a beautiful tribute. You can also get creative and include a small amount of the memorial ashes as a way to make this truly unique. Adding ashes to mixed media collages is simple. You can either add it into the glue that you use to stick items down, or you can add it to the sealant that you layer over the top to cover the items. This will create a unique texture to the finished artwork.
When you'd like to explore memorial artwork ideas further
There is no rush. Whenever you'd like to talk through your options, we're in our Worthing studio Monday to Saturday. Free initial consultation by phone or video — no obligation, no pressure.
