Unless you’ve done a lot of research on urns for ashes, you may have never heard of urn rings. An urn ring is a ring that has a built-in compartment that holds a small amount of cremains. People wear urn rings if they want to feel continuously close to the person who died. Some are made to keep remains and others have hidden compartments so the ring is less conspicuous.
Overview: Our Top Picks
- Caring Heart Urn Ring
- Large Stone Cremation Ring
- Cremation Diamonds by Eterneva
- Claddagh Urn Ring
- Compass Urn Ring
- Fingerprint Urn Ring
- Loyalty Urn Ring
- Cross Urn Ring
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What’s an Urn Ring?
- What Features Should You Look for in an Urn Ring?
- How Much Do Urn Rings Typically Cost?
- Elegant Urn Ring Ideas
- Bold Urn Ring Ideas
- More Gender-Neutral Urn Ring Ideas
- Urn Rings: Frequently Asked Questions
- Where Can You Buy Urn Rings Online?
This is undoubtedly a niche market but there are quite a few styles of urn rings available. Here are some urn styles to consider that are feminine, masculine, or gender-neutral.
You can also hire a jewelry designer to customize a piece but make the jewelry designer has experience working with cremation jewelry. The designer needs to know how large to make the opening, otherwise, you may struggle to get the cremains inside.
Tip: If you're looking for something very unique to display (think a game, a classic car, or instrument of choice), you can custom order an urn from a store like Foreverence. You submit a design idea or sketch, then the company designs and 3D prints your urn, so you get a 100% unique container.
What’s an Urn Ring?
An urn ring is a piece of jewelry that holds a tiny bit of cremation ash. They can be purchased “off the shelf” or customized to fit your style. Urn rings, or cremation rings, can also be personalized with the name of the deceased or the relationship to the wearer.
There are two main types of urn rings. One holds the cremation ashes within the band of the ring. The other kind of urn ring has a small enclosure at the top that holds the ash or lock of hair.
Urn rings are constructed in several different ways. Some have small hidden screw tops that allow you to place a tiny bit of ash inside when removed. Others have threaded pieces that screw on and off for you to store the ash within.
Although rings are typically worn on the hand, some people purchase urn rings and use them as pendants.
What Features Should You Look for in an Urn Ring?
Before you select an urn ring, make sure you read the customer reviews. It would be heartbreaking to lose the cremation ash of your loved one due to a faulty lock mechanism – especially if the rest of the remains were scattered or put in a permanent resting place.
Here are some features to look for in an urn ring (or cremation ring).
Style
Urn rings need to match your preferred style, so if you purchase an urn ring for someone else, take great care.
Some urn rings look like rings that would hold something inside, and others have hidden compartments that would only be known by the wearer.
Size
The size of the urn ring typically doesn’t matter (as long as it fits on your finger.) Urn rings are designed to hold a tiny amount of cremated remains. After all, the cremation ashes of a 150-pound adult typically measure 10-11 cups, so holding all of your loved one’s cremains within a piece of jewelry isn’t possible.
Material
If you are purchasing a ring to wear all the time, make sure it is made from a material that won’t irritate your skin.
Type
As you research urn rings, you might come across companies that create cremation diamonds or gemstones. This product is not the same as an urn ring.
A cremation diamond or gemstone is grown using the carbon from your loved one’s cremated remains. The process is long, and cremation diamonds are expensive. However, the results are extraordinary.
Urn rings are literally a tiny urn that can be placed on your finger.
Personalization
Many urn rings can be personalized with the name of the deceased or a message such as “always in my heart.”
Accessories
Urn rings may be difficult to fill. However, some companies provide a small screwdriver and funnel to help you with the process.
On a side note, some people find it emotionally difficult to handle the cremated remains of their loved ones. So if you purchase an urn ring from a local retailer, you might ask if they will place the ash inside the ring for you.
How Much Do Urn Rings Typically Cost?
Urn rings sell for between $80 and $250 online.
Urn rings sold online typically do not come with precious stones or diamonds. However, you could probably order a customized piece from a high-end retailer.
Of course, there are many types of urns available designed to hold cremated remains.
Keepsake urns are also designed to hold a portion of cremated remains. These can be used if a family wishes to divide the remains among several people. It could also be used for someone who wants to keep a small portion of remains but scatter or entomb the rest. Keepsake urns range between $20 and $300.
A standard urn is designed to hold the cremated remains of a typical adult. Standard urns can be purchased from a funeral home or online and typically range between $70 and $300.
A companion urn is designed to hold the cremated remains of more than one adult (or the remains of a person and a beloved pet). Companion urns typically cost between $80 and $300.
Customized urns, like those made by Foreverence, can cost thousands of dollars.
Yes, urns of every size can be pricey, but so can caskets and burial vaults. When selecting an item to hold such a personal item, there are factors to consider other than price.
Elegant Urn Ring Ideas
When considering what to do with a loved one's ashes, most people do not automatically think of cremation jewelry. Instead, they think about scattering the cremains at sea or placing an urn in a columbarium niche.
As more people choose to be cremated, you may find that more people feel comfortable storing cremains in nontraditional ways. People may also feel more at ease using cremains to make memorial diamonds or fireworks.
Here are some design ideas for elegant urn rings, which are more delicate, chic rings that anyone can wear to hold a small portion of cremains of their loved ones.
1. Caring heart ring
Search for urn ring designers to find a style called Caring Heart. These rings could be made in a variety of colors, from rose gold to silver. Keep in mind that some urn rings have wider-than-usual bands to hold the cremains.
2. Gem cremation ring
Some urn rings feature large stones, either square, oval, or round, that hold a small portion of cremains inside. These rings may be a bit more evident than the urn rings that house the cremains in the band.
3. Memorial diamond
If you have your deceased loved one's lock of hair or cremated remains, you can send them in to be turned into a memorial diamond.
After a consultation and a few months of waiting for the diamond to grow, you'll have a custom diamond that you can get set on a ring, necklace, or other jewelry. Some companies, like Eterneva, create lab-grown diamonds and allow you to pick from several cuts and colors for your gemstone.
4. Wedding ring replacement
Some people choose to quit wearing their wedding rings after losing their partners. This is especially true if they decide to have another relationship or remarry. Even if they may not want to wear their wedding ring, they may still want to have a memorial item they wear to honor the previous relationship.
You can purchase an urn ring that looks like a traditional engagement ring. They can be made with diamonds (real or fake) or other precious stones.
4. Ring to mimic the spouse's wedding ring
You may consider picking a ring that mimics the look of your deceased spouse's wedding band. Not only would it hold your partner's cremains, but the style may make you remember the love your partner felt for you.
More significant, thicker rings also hold a bit more material, so consider getting a more substantive ring if that is important to you.
5. Claddaugh urn ring
A Claddagh is an Irish symbol that depicts two hands holding a heart. Traditionally, when a woman wears the heart facing away from her body, this indicates she is available to date. When the woman is "taken," she turns the heart to face her body.
Search for a Claddagh urn ring online. You can only choose which direction to place the ring when you wear it.
Bold Urn Ring Ideas
Urn rings don't necessarily have to be delicate-looking, and anyone can be sentimental enough to wear cremation jewelry. Since only one-eighth to one-fourth of a teaspoon of cremains is sometimes used in an urn ring, the rest of the ashes can be scattered or stored without anyone knowing that a small portion is missing.
Here are some descriptions of more bold urn rings. Not all described may seem appropriate for every taste, but it is worth noting that many designs are available.
6. Irish urn ring
Irish symbols are often used on jewelry. You can find urn rings that use the Irish spiral, Irish cross, or triple knot as the main design element. You may be more comfortable choosing a piece of jewelry that you would typically wear when picking an urn ring.
7. Compass urn ring
Consider purchasing a compass urn ring. These symbolic rings tell others that your deceased partner guided you through life.
8. Skull urn ring
This may not be an appropriate choice for everyone, but skull urn rings are available for purchase. They may be the preferred choice for someone who enjoys wearing gothic-style clothing and jewelry.
9. Fingerprint ring
Search online for designers who create fingerprint jewelry. As part of their collection, they may offer urn rings.
Fingerprint jewelry is a piece engraved with the fingerprint of the deceased. The company will give you instructions on how to collect the print so it can be transferred to the ring.
10. Engraved urn ring
Many urn rings have flat faces that allow for engraving. You can add the words "my love" or "forever" to your urn ring that holds your passed partner's cremains. You can also consider engraving your urn ring with the initials of the person whose remains are inside.
More Gender-Neutral Urn Ring Ideas
Both genders can wear all of the rings listed above, but here are a few more designs to consider.
11. Loyalty ring
You may find a ring that symbolizes loyalty. Tell the world you are forever loyal to your loved one while carrying a portion of your partner for the rest of your life.
12. Cross ring
There are some urn rings that designers create to hide the fact that the inside holds cremains, and there are other urn ring designs that are obviously made to hold something. Some of these larger rings have crosses on top.
Urn Rings: Frequently Asked Questions
Since you may not have heard of cremation jewelry before today, you may have many questions regarding how they work.
Before we answer frequently asked questions regarding urn rings, it’s essential to realize that cremains are sterile. You can't catch a disease by touching cremains. Even though you would probably want to take special care when handling your loved one's ashes, you won’t be harmed if your skin comes in contact with the material.
It’s also worth noting that when an adult is cremated, the family receives three to seven pounds of coarse, grayish-white material. Unless you plan to have many pieces of cremation jewelry, you will not be able to use up all the cremains in urn rings.
Here are the answers to other questions you may have.
Q: How do urn rings work?
Most cremation jewelry companies sell urn rings. These rings are highly customizable so you can have your pick of materials, colors, and personalization options.
Most companies will send your piece of jewelry with an instruction manual, a small screwdriver, and a funnel as you are expected to fill your own ring. You may be advised to use other materials (like toothpicks) to help you with the job.
Q: How much ashes do you need for an urn ring?
Most of the time, urn rings only hold a "pinch" of cremains. This can be as small as one-eighth of a teaspoon. This means that you can have enough ashes to fill several urn rings and still have enough to scatter at a public ceremony.
Q: What materials do urn rings usually come in?
Most urn rings are made of metal. You can purchase them in gold, silver, white gold, and rose gold.
Where Can You Buy Urn Rings Online?
Are you looking for a source that sells urn rings online? Here are a few that we found.
Spirit Pieces
Spirit Pieces sells gold and silver urn rings as well as a ring and earring set made with “infused” ashes. So if you are looking for a beautiful, unique urn to hold the rest of your loved one’s remains, check out this website.
Everlasting Memories
Everlasting Memories sells many different styles of urn rings and memorial jewelry items. Many can be engraved. The company will also help you create ashes into jewelry.
Perfect Memorials
Perfect Memorials sells urn rings, fingerprint jewelry, and photo jewelry. The company also sells pet memorial jewelry to help you remember a beloved animal companion.
Etsy
If you are looking for a personalized item, regardless of type, we recommend you begin your search with Etsy. Many Etsy stores sell urn rings and other products designed with or for cremation ashes.
Romantic Work
We like the Daisy urn ring sold by Romantic Work. This piece doesn’t look like a typical urn ring, but it will allow you to keep a part of your loved one close to you at all times.
Only One Jewelry
Only One Jewelry sells a “Tree of Life” urn ring that can hold a tiny bit of cremation ash. You might also be interested in the ash pendants offered by this online store.
Jewelry Keepsakes
Jewelry Keepsakes sells many different types of cremation rings in both feminine and masculine designs. Although this company sells budget-friendly urn rings, they offer high-end, 14K gold items as well. Expect to pay at least $1,000 for an urn ring from Jewelry Keepsakes.
Forever in My Heart
Consider this beautiful heart cremation ring offered by Forever in My Heart. The company provides you with a small funnel to help you fill the ring.
FuneralWise Store
The urn ring offered by the FuneralWise store comes in 15 different colors and holds ¼ to ½ teaspoon of cremation ashes. The gem unscrews to uncover a spot for the cremated remains. The company recommends sealing the item with a small amount of adhesive.
Cherished Emblems
Cherished Emblems offers an urn ring called “Give You My Heart.” The top of the ring is heart-shaped, and it is supported with engraved hands. This piece comes in rose gold, silver, or gold.
Creative Uses for Cremains
A whole industry has surfaced that has found creative ways to utilize cremains to memorialize a loved one. You are only limited by your creativity and your finances.
Besides having small segments of the cremains stored in cremation jewelry, you can also use a bit of the ash to create a decorative glass piece that can be made into a piece of jewelry. This type of cremation jewelry makes it less evident that you are walking around with the ashes of a loved one attached to your finger. The glass piece can be made into a pendant, bracelet, or earrings.
You can choose to add a bit of your loved one's cremains to the ink the next time you get a tattoo. Hire a tattoo artist who has done this before so the additional materials do not affect the quality of the tattoo.
You can also have your loved one's cremains made into a real diamond. This process is expensive and takes a lot of time, but the result will be something that your family will surely keep forever.
If you're looking for more types of cremation jewelry, read our guide on white gold cremation jewelry and cremation gemstones.