Ideas for Cremains 

What do I do with my beloved's ashes?

Cremains are considered to be the earth part of the spirit.  It is what belongs in the physical world.  Keeping the cremains is a means of keeping the memory as physical as possible while the spirit is free. 

All living organisms have a life energy, cremation is a means to let it free.  Energy can never be destroyed, it can only change forms.  Hence the explanation for releasing the spirit or soul by fire as has been the practice for thousands of years in most human cultures.

There are indeed many options for what one can do with ashes from a departed beloved one:

Bury them with a memorial tree.  The cremains or ashes must be well diluted with topsoil as ash is very alkaline and has a high salt content. Another solution is to bury the ashes in a cedar urn which is biodegradable and will release the cremains slowly over time.  This will also release the minerals slowly as the tree grows so that all of that trees growth will share the same minerals of the ashes.  (cedar urn)  

"I have always returned a small amount of the cremains from those whom have passed to nature.  The memorial tree was originally planted with the cremains of my mother.  She loved animals so now I put a portion of the ash from all my pets whom have passed on at the base of this now glorious tree. It is a "tree of life" if you will and in my mind lets the circle of life continue. It also happens to be a Mulberry tree so it gives back to nature with a bountiful supply of berries every summer."  

  Set the ashes free on a bridge over a favorite river or pier at a beach. 

  Separate small amounts and gift them in keepsakes or jewelry to family members. (keepsakes)

  Store them to be buried or re-cremated with the another whom has passed. 

  Hold them for dispersal when you feel ready.

  Mix them with cement or concrete for a monument or planter that will last virtually forever

Keepsakes and vessel jewelry are all filled and secured with a threaded top or a screw.  Here are some ideas for certain charms and lockets:

A tiny prayer or note can be place into the chamber.  The charm can also be filled with a pinch of ashes, a drop of wax from a memorial candle, a sample of memorial soil, a flower petal, etc.  After placing the memorial material into the charm it can be further secured with a top layer of a clear silicon adhesive.  (Silicon adhesive cleans up very well with isopropyl or denatured alcohol) 

Adhesed cremains are also acceptable - this is where a drop of white glue is dusted with a minute amount of ash and then the remainder tapped back into the urn or vessel.  This is how relic or saint crucifixes are made by certain European denominational churches.