Q: What type of cremation urn do I need?
A: The answer to this question depends of what you intend to do with the ashes. Basically, there are four options:
1. Keep all of the ashes in a single cremation urn. Most of the urns we sell are large enough to contain all of the ashes of a body that weighed up to 200 lbs. Some selections are large enough to hold up to 400 lbs.
2. Share some of the ashes with family or friends. Many families purchase a full-size cremation urn, but choose to pass along some of the ashes to family and friends in multiple smaller "keepsake urns" or "cremation jewelry."
3. Scatter some or all ashes in a favorite place. Another option is scattering some or all of the ashes in their loved one's favorite place. We sell specialized scattering urns designed for dignified and convenient transport and scattering of ashes.
4. Perform a biodegradable burial on land or water. An environmentally friendly alternative: biodegradable urns are created using natural materials including paper, natural clays, wood and water-soluble non-toxic paints. They are environmentally friendly and or decompose naturally. Some are designed to break down slowly over time when placed into the earth. Other earth urns or burial at sea urns are designed to dissolve in minutes when placed into a body of water.
Q: What size cremation urn do I need?
A: It depends upon what you intend to do with the ashes. The cremated remains are composed of calcium and have the consistency of coarse beach sand. If you plan on purchasing an urn to fit all the ashes, you would need an urn that is approximately 200 cubic inches in size, for an average size adult. Each pound of body weight will translate into approximately one cubic inch of cremated remains, so a 200-pound body would require a 200-cubic-inch urn. If you choose to scatter ashes, but keep a bit for memorialization, you might choose a keepsake urn, which can be any size you prefer.
Likewise for pets, if you have a furry companion that weighed 45 lbs, you would want an urn that holds 45 cubic inches.
Q: I need my urn in just a few days for the ceremony. Can you ship right away?
A: Some of the cremation urns we offer are available for immediate shipping. Each individual product listing will state if the item is available for immediate shipment or else a leadtime until shipment. You may also call us at 1-877-996-URNS (8767) or email at
service@memorialgallery.com to find out if the cremation urn is available immediately. The labor intensive process necessary to create these works of funerary art are not conducive to rapid production and some require one or two weeks, or more, of dedicated time to create.
Q: How do I get the ashes into the cremation urn?
A: Your funeral home or pet loss provider can provide this service for you, usually for a nominal fee. If you'd like we can ship the urn directly to the funeral home, pet loss provider or we can ship directly to you and you can pass it along to the funeral home. It is illegal for funeral homes to refuse to transfer ashes if the urn was not purchased from them. By law, funeral homes cannot require that all products and services be purchased from them. Alternative ash transfer methods include taking the ashes to another funeral home, making the transfer yourself or having a friend or relative perform the transfer. Ashes come in a plastic bag, within a plastic box from the funeral home and one can transfer the plastic bag from one cremains container to another fairly easily, usually without removing the ashes form the urn.
Q: What should be considered when placing a cremation urn or funeral urn in a columbarium or niche?
A: Columbariums and niches vary widely. You should check with the columbarium or niche manager to make sure that the cremation urn you choose will fit within the space and meet any other requirement they may have. Many columbarium or niche managers will not permit cremation urns and funeral urns made of certain materials, such as wood, so make sure the urn you purchase meets their requirements.
Q: Where can cremation urns be shipped?
A: We ship cremation jewelry and cremation urns all over the world. All of our cremation urns are available for international shipping. We regularly ship cremation jewelry, cremation urns and biodegradable urns to Canada, the UK and elsewhere at the rates UPS, USPS & Fed ex charge. We are not responsible for any customs or duties fees imposed. Any of our cremation urns can be shipped to you or the funeral home where the ashes are then transferred into the cremation urn or cremation jewelry. Because we ship cremation urns and cremation jewelry all over the United States, Canada, and across the Atlantic, we have very low shipping rates and pass that onto you. If you order an item which requires you to mail the ashes to an artists, as is the case with our memory pendants or memory glass, we ship a collection kit to you. Our vendors reserve the right to select the shipping vendor of their choice.
Q: What is the cost to ship cremation jewelry internationally?
A: Use the shipping calculator in shopping cart to generate shipping quote.
Q: How do I collect and submit fingerprints, handprints, footprints, handwriting or photo?
A: There are several ways to collect prints. You may use an inkless print capture system, ink pad on white paper or take a high resolution digital photo of a print from a birth certificate or other identification that uses fingerprint or footprints. For ink pad and plain white paper- black ink works best. Select the area of the finger that is the most interesting- ink this area. Use more of a tapping motion than a rolling one. For handprints or footprints, ink and tap onto white paper. Next, take a high resolution digital photo of the best print. For best results, make sure there is good lighting and sharp focus while filling the frame as much as possible without cutting the print off.
For handwriting, take a digital photo of the writing- filling the screen without cutting out any words for maximum resolution.
Photos- submit high resolution digital files for best reproduction- blurry, underexposed images will not result in the best reproduction.
Submit your print file in JPG format by using the upload feature of the desired product or email to service@memorialgallery.com with Order Number included.
Q: How do I collect and submit nose or paw prints or a photo?
A:High resolution digital photos work best. Take a photo of the nose or paw making sure there is good lighting and sharp focus. Fill frame without cutting off subject.
Photos- submit high resolution digital files for best reproduction- blurry, underexposed images will not result in the best reproduction.
Submit your print file in JPG format by using the upload feature of the desired product or email to service@memorialgallery.com with Order Number included.
General Information:
Always avoid chlorine when wearing your jewelry. Never clean your jewelry with chlorine bleach. Bleach ruins metal via oxidization and turns it black. To be on the safe side, remove your jewelry before doing any household chores. Many common household cleaners have bleach and other chemicals that may adversely affect jewelry. In addition, don’t swim or go in a hot tub wearing fine jewelry because prolonged exposure to chlorine can cause your jewelry to turn black.
Sterling Silver Care:
Sterling silver tarnishes. If possible, store your sterling silver jewelry in a tarnish prevention cloth or bag. The treated cloth slows down the tarnish process and keeps the jewelry from rubbing against harder jewelry that might scratch it. Try to keep your sterling silver jewelry in a cool, dry place. Polishing cloths are an excellent choice for cleaning your sterling silver jewelry. You might read recommendations to use toothpaste to clean sterling silver, but avoid doing that – toothpaste is too abrasive.
Gold-Plated Care:
Gold-Plated jewelry is made by covering sterling silver with a layer of 14K gold. Since the gold is only a layer, it may eventually wear away. This wearing away process is not eligible for warranty replacement. Gold-Plated pieces can be re-dipped by a jeweler. To clean, lightly wipe your gold-plated jewelry with a damp cotton cloth. This will help eliminate any dirt or dust from accumulating on the surface and wearing away the gold layer. Polish cream should not be used on gold-plated items.
Solid 14K Gold Care:
Light tarnish on gold can be removed by using soapy water and a soft bristle brush. A soft toothbrush and some dishwashing liquid also works well. Here is how to do it: Dip the toothbrush in the water and get the bristles into all of the crevices. Then rinse the piece in warm water until the water runs clear. After gentle scrubbing, buff the piece dry with a soft, lint-free cloth to make it shine. You can also use a specially treated cloth or other cleaning jewelry products. If your gold jewelry does not contain colored gemstones you can clean it with an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Finally, if you have a problem with heavy tarnish, please consult a jeweler.
Caring for your Laser Photo Jewelry:
Each piece of Laser Photo Jewelry has been coated with a high-tech, completely transparent nano-ceramic coating which has been electro-magnetically and thermally fused to the pendant. The resulting surface is highly abrasion and tarnish resistant. Should the surface need cleaning, we recommend using a damp, soft cotton or micro-fiber cloth.
PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE FILLING PENDANTS
Filling Instructions for Sterling Silver, 14K Gold-Plated, Solid Gold, and Platinum Pendants:
1) Locate the pendant opening. Depending on the piece, this can be the bail itself (the loop that the chain goes through) or a small, square screw or flathead screw. If pendant has a square screw, use the provided screwdriver; if the screw is flathead, you can open it with a small standard flathead screwdriver available at most hardware stores.
2) Remove the screw and place it carefully aside. Locate the filling “funnel” included in your filling package. It resembles a business card. Fold the card in half on the fold line and place a small amount of fine ash in the center and gently tap it into the pendant opening.
3) Fill the pendant about 90% full, making sure to leave enough room to replace the screw. A toothpick, also provided, can be used to help guide the ashes into the opening.
4) Before replacing the screw back into position make sure that the threads are clean and clear of ashes. Insert the screw and tighten firmly. The tiny rubber gasket on the screw provides a water-tight and airtight seal.
5) When replacing the screw on pendants that open from the bail, pay close attention to the position so the pendant will hang correctly when re-strung on the chain or cord.
Filling Instructions for Stainless Steel Pendants:
1) Locate the pendant opening. Depending on the piece, this can be the bail itself (the loop that the chain goes through) or a small, square screw or flathead screw. If pendant has a square screw, use the provided screwdriver; if the screw is flathead, you can open it with a small standard flathead screwdriver available at most hardware stores.
2) Remove the screw and place it carefully aside. Locate the filling “funnel” included in your filling package. It resembles a business card. Fold the card in half on the fold line and place a small amount of fine ash in the center and gently tap it into the pendant opening.
3) Fill the pendant about 90% full, making sure to leave enough room to replace the screw. A toothpick, also provided, can be used to help guide the ashes into the opening.
4) To permanently seal the pendant, first ensure that the inner threads are clean and clear of all ash. Apply a tiny amount of the provided sealant to the threads on the screw, not the inner threads, and quickly replace the screw.
5) When replacing the screw on pendants that open from the bail, pay close attention to the position so the pendant will hang correctly when re-strung on the chain or cord.
Instructions for Glass Victorian Lockets:
You can choose to put back-to-back photos or a precious lock of hair of your loved one inside.
Not Recommended for Ashes.
1) Open the locket by unscrewing the lower nut located under the top bail and lay the pendant on a flat surface so that both glass sides are facing up.
2) If filling with a lock of hair, we’ve found that twisting the hair into an infinity sign or number 8 provides a neat and elegant look.