Tangible Memories: The Beauty of Memorial Keepsakes
Memorial keepsakes let family members keep a small, personal reminder of someone who died: a keepsake urn holding a portion of the ashes, a pendant with a tiny chamber, jewelry engraved with a fingerprint or handwriting, or something made from their clothing. You can buy them from any seller — under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must accept an urn you bought elsewhere without charging a fee — and you can decide on keepsakes at any time, not only at the funeral.
Types of memorial keepsakes
| Keepsake | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Keepsake urn | A small urn holding a portion of the ashes | Lets several relatives share the ashes while the main urn is kept, buried or scattered |
| Cremation jewelry | A pendant, ring or bracelet with a small sealed chamber for ashes | Holds a very small amount; usually sealed with adhesive |
| Fingerprint or handwriting jewelry | Metal engraved with the person's fingerprint or a note in their handwriting | Ask the funeral home early whether it can take prints; it does not involve ashes |
| Glass or stone pieces | Ornaments or stones made with a small amount of ashes | Ask how much material is needed and whether unused ashes are returned |
| Memory quilt or bear | Made from the person's clothing | Choose pieces with meaning — a work shirt, a favorite sweater |
| Living memorial | A tree or garden, sometimes planted with ashes | Check local rules and the plant's tolerance for ashes before mixing them into soil |
How do you fill cremation jewelry?
- Work over a sheet of paper on a calm, flat surface.
- Use the small funnel or scoop that comes with the piece; a rolled sheet of paper also works.
- Fill only part of the chamber — overfilling makes the seal fail.
- Clean the threads, add a small amount of the adhesive the seller recommends, and close the screw firmly.
- Let it cure fully before wearing. Many families ask the funeral home or the seller to fill it for them.
Most pieces are not designed for swimming or showering; check the manufacturer's care instructions.
Your rights when buying keepsakes and urns
- You can buy from anyone. The FTC Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to accept urns and caskets bought elsewhere, without a handling fee and without you having to be there for delivery.
- Get prices first. The funeral home's itemized price list shows what it charges for urns; for comparison, the NFDA's 2023 study put the national median for an urn at $295.
- Ask about handling. If a company will work with the ashes (for glass or stone pieces), ask how they are tracked, how long it takes, and whether unused ashes are returned.
Flying with ashes or a keepsake
The TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on and checked bags. A carry-on container must be X-rayable — wood or plastic is recommended — because if officers cannot see inside it, it will not be allowed through the checkpoint, and TSA officers will not open it. Airlines set their own rules for checked remains, so check before you fly.
Deciding as a family
- Agree on how the ashes will be divided before ordering anything, and write it down.
- Keep most of the ashes together until everyone has decided; keepsakes need only a small amount.
- Remember that keepsakes can be ordered months later — there is no need to decide in the first week.
For more on what to do with ashes, see our cremation guide. Our free AI Planning Assistant can help you work through these decisions with your family.
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People Also Ask
Can I buy an urn or keepsake online instead of from the funeral home?
Yes. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a funeral home must accept an urn or casket you bought elsewhere and cannot charge a fee for it.
How much ash goes into cremation jewelry?
Only a very small amount — the chambers are tiny. Fill them only partly and seal them with the adhesive the seller recommends, or ask the funeral home or seller to fill them.
Can I fly with cremation jewelry or a keepsake urn?
Yes. TSA allows cremated remains in carry-on and checked bags, but a carry-on container must be X-rayable (wood or plastic is recommended) and officers will not open it. Check your airline's rules too.