Ashes Into Glass: How Memorial Glass Works, What It Costs and How to Order

Memorial glass, also called cremation glass, is handmade glass with a small amount of a loved one's ashes worked into it. The ashes show up as flecks, swirls or bubbles in an orb, pendant, paperweight or suncatcher. Two makers' websites in September 2026 ask for half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of ashes and quote four to six weeks once they receive them. One of them lists pieces from $69 to $629.

How does turning ashes into glass work?

Cremated remains are not ash in the campfire sense. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) says they are mostly calcium phosphates with some minor minerals, and that after cremation the bone fragments are processed until the particles are smaller than 1/8 inch. That is the material a glass artist works with.

The artist mixes a small amount into the glass as it is shaped. Each piece is handmade, so the result can't be planned exactly. Spirit Pieces' refund policy says color, bubbles and ash placement will vary from the photos and aren't treated as defects.

What kinds of memorial glass can you get?

Common pieces include:

• Orbs and paperweights that sit on a shelf or desk
• Suncatchers and other decorative pieces
• Pendants and other jewelry, including rings (Ashes Into Glass sends a ring sizer with its ordering pack)

CANA lists glass sculptures, along with jewelry and diamonds, among the ways families memorialize cremated remains. Glass is one option among several, so it helps to compare it with other types of cremation jewelry and with simply keeping the remains in an urn.

How much ash do you need, and what happens to the rest?

You need far less than most people expect. CANA says the average adult's cremated remains weigh between four and six pounds.

Since one piece uses so little, most of the remains stay available for an urn, burial, scattering or other keepsakes. Ask each maker what happens to any ashes they don't use. Spirit Pieces, for example, says leftover remains can be returned for a fee of $15 to $50 depending on the carrier, or scattered locally by the artist. If you'd like a next step for the remaining ashes, see our guide to what to do with cremated remains.

What does memorial glass cost?

Prices depend on the piece and the maker. On its website in September 2026, Spirit Pieces listed items from $69 to $629, with orbs starting around $139. Its cheapest items are small pendants rather than orbs. Other makers price by design and size, so check each site for the current list.

For comparison, Eterneva's memorial diamonds started at $3,499 for 0.25 carat in September 2026. Glass costs a small fraction of that, although a diamond is a very different kind of keepsake. Our comparison of cremation jewelry types explains where each one fits.

How do you order and send the ashes?

The steps are similar across makers:

1. Choose the piece and place the order.
2. Receive a collection kit. Spirit Pieces says it mails the kit within seven business days. Ashes Into Glass sends a pack with a secure bag and a pre-addressed return envelope.
3. Fill the bag or container with the amount of ash requested and send it back using the method the maker specifies.
4. Wait for the piece to be made, then for it to ship to you.

If you are mailing the ashes yourself, know the postal rules. The US Postal Service says cremated remains must go by Priority Mail Express in its Cremated Remains box (BOX-CRE), and CANA says the box has been required since March 1, 2025. The remains must be in a strong, durable container. Our guide to shipping cremated remains covers the details.

Can you use hair or pet fur instead?

Sometimes. Spirit Pieces says hair or fur can be used alongside or instead of ashes. Other makers may not offer it. If you aren't comfortable sending ashes, or you want a keepsake from a pet, ask the maker directly. Our guides to memorial diamonds from pet ashes and pet memorial jewelry cover other choices.

What should you ask before you order?

Because the work is custom and the ashes can't be replaced, a few questions are worth asking:

• Chain of custody: How do they label, track and log your kit? Spirit Pieces says it uses double-labeled collection bags and sends a confirmation once the artist logs the kit.
• Returns: Custom pieces often can't be returned for looks alone. Spirit Pieces offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for breakage with photo proof, but says no refunds for aesthetic preference.
• Deadlines: Spirit Pieces says collection kits must be returned within 18 months, or it has no obligation to fulfill the order. Read similar terms carefully anywhere you buy.
• Breakage cover: Ask whether damage in transit or later is covered.
• Leftover ashes: Ask whether unused ashes are returned, and what it costs.
• Cancellation: Spirit Pieces charges a $10 fee to cancel before production begins. Others will differ.

How do you care for a glass memorial?

Spirit Pieces suggests cleaning with soapy water and a soft cloth, then rinsing, and keeping pieces out of direct intense sunlight. Treat a pendant or ring like any glass jewelry: it can chip if knocked against hard surfaces.

Is turning ashes into glass right for your family?

It is a personal choice, and families often disagree. Some people find comfort in a keepsake they can see and hold. Others prefer to keep the remains together. Talk it through with relatives before dividing ashes, especially when a spouse, parent or child may have strong feelings.

Religious views vary. The Catholic Church's 2016 instruction says ashes may not be divided among family members, and that they should not be kept in mementos or pieces of jewelry. The same document does not permit scattering. Other traditions have their own customs, so if faith matters to the family, ask your priest, imam, rabbi or other faith leader. Our guide to the Catholic view on cremation goes into more detail.

What to do next

1. Decide how much of the ashes you'll use and what will happen to the rest.
2. Shortlist two or three makers and read their refund, breakage and deadline terms.
3. Ask about chain of custody, hair or fur, and leftover ashes.
4. Ship the ashes only as the USPS rules allow, and keep the tracking number.