Urn Necklaces: Types, Materials, Costs and How to Fill One

An urn necklace is a pendant with a small hollow chamber that holds a pinch of a loved one's ashes, usually less than 1/8 teaspoon. You fill it yourself through a threaded opening, or pay for a permanently sealed piece that the maker fills for you. In September 2026, one major maker's fill-it-yourself necklaces started at about $70 to $80, and necklaces with the ashes bonded into them started around $270.

What is an urn necklace and how does it work?

An urn necklace, also called a cremation necklace or ashes necklace, is memorial jewelry. It is meant to hold a small share of the ashes, not all of them. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) says adult cremated remains average four to six pounds, which leaves plenty for a full-size urn, other keepsakes or scattering as well.

On a typical fill-it-yourself pendant, the chamber is reached through a threaded opening, usually hidden under a screw or inside the bail (the loop the chain passes through). The piece comes with a funnel, a filling pin and instructions. That is why most urn necklaces look like ordinary pendants: hearts, crosses, cylinders, teardrops and discs.

What types of urn necklace are there?

There are three main designs, and they differ in how permanent they are.

• Fill-it-yourself chamber pendants. You add the ashes at home and close the screw. They can be reopened, but Jewelry Keepsakes only calls its permanently sealed pieces waterproof.
• Permanently sealed pendants. The maker fills the piece with a small amount of ashes and welds it shut, so nothing can be reopened or lost. Jewelry Keepsakes says these are waterproof and need less than 1/8 teaspoon.
• Ashes bonded into the piece. The maker mixes ashes into resin or glass so they become part of a colored center stone. Close By Me, for example, sets ash-bonded stones in solid 14k gold or .925 sterling silver. Spirit Pieces says it needs half a teaspoon or less for most of its pieces.

Memorial diamonds are a fourth option, and a much bigger purchase. Our guide to types of cremation jewelry compares all of them, and ashes into diamonds explains that process.

What metal should an urn necklace be made of?

The metal affects price, weight and how much care the piece needs. Ask the maker exactly which alloy is used, especially if the wearer has a metal allergy.

Some makers also offer titanium, brass and base metals. Check the product description rather than relying on a label like "surgical steel," which does not tell you the exact alloy.

How much does an urn necklace cost?

Prices below are what the makers listed in September 2026. Sales and promotions change often, so check the current listing.

Chains may cost extra, so check whether one is included. Our cremation jewelry cost guide goes into the price factors, and the comparison of cremation jewelry companies covers specific makers.

How do you fill an urn necklace?

Follow the instructions that come with your piece, since designs differ. The general steps are:

1. Set up. Work over a tray or a sheet of white paper so any spilled ash is easy to see and gather.
2. Open the chamber. Unscrew the screw or bail to reveal the small opening.
3. Fill slowly. Place the funnel in the opening and use the filling pin to guide in a small amount. Do not pack it so full that the screw has to press on the ashes.
4. Close the screw. Turn it until it is snug. Do not force it.
5. Decide about adhesive. Jewelry Keepsakes says many people add a small amount of jewelry adhesive to help hold the screw in place. Doing so makes the piece much harder to reopen, so use the type the maker recommends.
6. Check it. Hold it over the tray, give it a gentle shake and check that nothing escapes.

If you would rather not handle the ashes, ask the funeral home or crematory whether they will fill it, or order a permanently sealed piece.

How do you take care of it?

• Keep it dry. Unless the maker says a piece is waterproof, take the necklace off for showers, pools and hot tubs.
• Avoid harsh chemicals and strong sun. Close By Me advises against harsh chemicals, alcohol-based products and prolonged sun, and suggests cleaning gently with warm water and mild soap.
• Check the closure now and then. If the screw feels loose, close it again before wearing the piece.
• Read the return policy first. Jewelry Keepsakes does not accept returns of jewelry that has been filled, engraved, permanently sealed or made with ash resin.

Can you travel with an urn necklace?

The TSA's page on cremated remains is about containers and urns. It says officers will not open a container, and that the final decision rests with the officer at the checkpoint. It does not address jewelry specifically. Wearing a small necklace is the simplest way to carry it, since it stays with you. For international travel, check the rules of the country you are entering. Our guide to flying with ashes covers urns and larger amounts.

Do all faiths allow ashes in jewelry?

No. The Catholic Church's 2016 instruction Ad resurgendum cum Christo says ashes should be kept in a sacred place, may not be divided among family members, and may not be kept in mementos or jewelry. Our Catholic cremation guide explains this in more detail. Other traditions have their own views, and some ask for ashes to be kept together. If this matters to your family, speak with a faith leader before dividing the ashes.

What to do next

1. Decide who will wear the piece and whether they will wear it every day. That points you to a metal and to a permanently sealed or fill-it-yourself design.
2. Check that everyone with a say in the ashes agrees to dividing them. Our guide to dividing ashes among family can help.
3. Read the maker's return and warranty policy before you order.
4. Ask the funeral home or crematory to set aside a small portion, or to fill the piece for you.

For other wearable options, see urn bracelets and cremation rings. A keepsake urn is a larger way to share ashes.