7 Ideas on What to Do with a Loved One’s Ashes

Cremation of Southern Maine • October 17, 2022

There are plenty of meaningful things to do with a loved one’s ashes. The only limit is your imagination, but these ideas will provide infinite inspiration.

cremation service in Scarborough ME

One of the benefits of opting for a cremation service in Scarborough, ME, is expanding the options of a final resting place. Unlike a burial, converting the body to ashes allows you to choose a range of unique and personal ways to say your final goodbye. 


Common options include storing the ashes in a columbarium, creating a memorial shrine in your family home, and scattering the ashes. But there’s more. 


Jewelry Urn 


Turning a portion of the ashes into jewelry allows you to keep a part of your loved one close to you always. You can have the ashes turned into jewelry forms like pendants, rings, bracelets, or necklaces. 


Services like Eterneva can transform the ashes into a diamond you can wear for years and pass on to subsequent generations. 


Commission a cremation portrait 


Have an artist mix your loved one’s ashes with paint and create a portrait of them. It could be a photo of them on a major milestone or your favorite image of them. 


And you can paint it yourself if you want to be hands-on. Whatever you choose, the portrait will be a living embodiment of your loved one’s essence. 


Transform the ashes into a tree 


Get a biodegradable urn and bury the ashes with the seed in it. The sprouting tree signifies new life and growth. And depending on the species, also serve as a source of comfort to those who visit. 


The beauty of this idea is it’s great, regardless of if the deceased was a nature lover. 


Conceal in a memorial toy 


Don’t want to convert the ashes into jewelry? Place some ashes into a container and conceal them in a toy. It could be a decorative toy or something you can play with. A memorial teddy bear works too. It’s an idea that fits anyone, but especially if the deceased was a child. 


Book Urn 


A book urn is an excellent idea if you want something intensely intimate. Because it’s easy to create yourself, you can design a book containing stories and favorite memories about your loved one from close friends and family members. It can also include pictures, poems, or drawings. 


The book will be designed in a way that when you hollow out the book to store the ashes in, the content will still be intact. Also, a perfect idea if you’re looking to create a family heirloom. 


Hourglass jewelry 


In this case, the ashes are embedded within the hourglass as a symbol of the passing of time. The hourglass can be regular size or small, depending on how you want to use it. 


It can also be decorative or functional. Services like IdaMemory help families create working hourglasses with cremated remains. 


Compress into vinyl records 


Create a bespoke vinyl record pressed with your loved one’s ashes. The content can be anything, including personal recordings or a playlist of their favorite music. It depends on how much content you want the vinyl record to carry. 


There are many more things you can do with your loved one’s ashes. The only limit is your imagination and what’s right for you. 


Whatever your idea, the process by ensuring you have the correct ashes. That means working with a reputable cremation service in Scarborough, ME. We have an on-site crematory, so your loved one will never leave our care. Call us now to get started with arrangements. 


Blogs

cremation service Biddeford, ME
By Cremation of Southern Maine January 6, 2026
Dedicated grief support offering compassion, clarity, and trusted guidance for families seeking a cremation service in Biddeford, ME.
cremation service Portland, ME
By Cremation of Southern Maine January 6, 2026
Why families choose a cremation service Portland, ME residents trust for simplicity, flexibility, and respectful care that fits modern values.
cremation service Kennebunk, ME
By Cremation of Southern Maine January 6, 2026
A clear guide to pre-planning a funeral with confidence, clarity, and support from a cremation service Kennebunk, ME families trust.
cremation service Windham, ME
By Cremation of Southern Maine January 5, 2026
A helpful guide to local and online grief support tools that provide comfort, connection, and reassurance for families after loss.
cremation service Scarborough, ME
December 22, 2025
Learn how simplified cremation options support clarity and peace of mind with Cremation of Southern Maine. Call (207) 907-7318 to get trusted guidance today.
cremation service Kennebunk, ME
December 17, 2025
Families deserve clarity and care during loss. Cremation of Southern Maine provides compassionate support. Call us at (207) 907-7318 to know your options now.
cremation service Biddeford, ME
December 15, 2025
Understand the advantages of choosing direct cremation with Cremation of Southern Maine. Call us at (207) 907-7318 to get support when you need it the most.
cremation service Portland, ME
December 8, 2025
Learn whether a simple cremation with memorial service fits your needs with Cremation of Southern Maine. Call (207) 907-7318 today for support and guidance.
cremation service Windham, ME
November 24, 2025
Simple cremation helps families focus on what matters most. Cremation of Southern Maine offers clear guidance and support when you call us at (207) 907-7318.
cremation service Scarborough, ME
November 17, 2025
Families today are rethinking how they want to honor a loved one while managing emotional and practical realities. Many find that cremation service Scarborough, ME provides a balance of simplicity, flexibility, and personal choice that feels appropriate for modern life. This approach allows families to focus on remembrance and healing rather than navigating layers of unnecessary decisions during an already difficult time. Life today looks very different from it did generations ago. Families are often spread across multiple locations, schedules are full, and beliefs about end-of-life care continue to evolve. These realities shape how people make decisions during moments of loss. Cremation offers adaptable planning that aligns with these changes, which is why Cremation of Southern Maine supports families who value transparency, understanding, and respectful guidance throughout the process. Simplicity eases emotional strain. When families are grieving, clarity can provide comfort. A simplified arrangement process helps reduce emotional overload and removes pressure to make rapid decisions. Cremation allows families to slow down, giving them time to process loss without feeling rushed into commitments that may not feel right. This simplicity does not diminish meaning. Instead, it creates space for thoughtful reflection and personal remembrance. Families often appreciate having fewer immediate decisions so they can focus on supporting one another. Knowing that arrangements are handled clearly and calmly can provide a sense of stability during an uncertain time. Evolving values influence decisions. Beliefs around remembrance and legacy are changing. Many families now prioritize authenticity over formality, choosing options that reflect personal values rather than long-standing customs. Cremation supports a wide range of cultural, spiritual, and non-religious perspectives without imposing a specific structure. For families seeking reassurance, understanding why others choose this path can be helpful. Insight into direct cremation basics helps explain why simplicity, transparency, and control resonate with people who want arrangements that feel intentional rather than traditional. Flexibility supports modern families. Today’s families are often geographically dispersed. Coordinating schedules during a time of grief can be challenging, especially when travel is involved. Cremation allows families to plan moments of remembrance later, when emotions have settled, and logistics are easier to manage. This flexibility also benefits families with different preferences. Some may prefer quiet reflection, while others may want to gather at a later time. When reviewing simple cremation options , families often appreciate knowing arrangements can adapt to real-life needs without sacrificing dignity or care. Clear communication builds confidence. Transparency is essential when trust matters most. Families want to understand what will happen, when it will happen, and who is involved. Clear communication helps reduce anxiety and allows families to feel supported rather than uncertain. When information is shared plainly and respectfully, families gain confidence in their decisions. Knowing what to expect allows them to focus on healing instead of worrying about unanswered questions. This sense of clarity often makes a meaningful difference during an emotional time.  At Cremation of Southern Maine, we believe families deserve guidance rooted in understanding and respect. If you are considering a cremation service in Scarborough, ME, learning more about our values and approach can help you move forward with confidence. Helpful information about our philosophy and how we support families is available through our about our team . Know your options and choose a path that feels right for your family.