Why Memorial Jewellery is So Special: A Gentle Way to Keep Them Close

Hello my friend,

I know that if you’re reading this, you’ve either lost someone you love deeply, or you care for someone who has. First of all, I want to say I’m so sorry. Grief is a heavy, quiet thing and if you’re carrying it, I see you.

Memorial jewellery is something I create with great care and reverence. It’s more than a necklace or a ring. It’s a way to carry the memory of someone you love with you, not just in your heart, but physically close, where you can touch it, hold it, and feel a sense of comfort on the days you need it most.

In this blog, I want to gently walk you through what makes memorial jewellery so meaningful, why my designs are a little different from what you might see elsewhere, and how the process works here in my little studio in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Handmade Memorial Ashes Jewellery by KL Jewellery Designs, Belfast, Northern Ireland

What Is Memorial Jewellery?

Memorial jewellery (also known as cremation or ashes jewellery) is a way of honouring someone who has passed by embedding a small amount of their ashes into a wearable piece. It allows you to keep them close in a tangible, beautiful form.

This tradition isn’t new. People have been wearing keepsakes to remember their loved ones for centuries. But today’s memorial jewellery can be more subtle, more refined — and made to blend seamlessly with your own style.

Why My Memorial Jewellery Is Different

There are many types of memorial jewellery available, from resin-filled pieces to glass lockets and urn necklaces that you can open and close. Each has its place, but my designs offer something simpler and more permanent.

All of my memorial pieces are handcrafted using recycled fine silver, and the ashes are gently embedded into the silver itself during the creation process.

This means:

The ashes are sealed within the silver forever

They can never be removed, lost, or spilled

The piece becomes a true part of you, solid, lasting, and deeply personal.

I focus on creating designs that are elegant, understated, and timeless. Pieces that blend in with your existing jewellery, and don’t scream “memorial” unless you want them to. Some people want to share the meaning with others, and some want to keep it private.

My jewellery allows for both.

Many of my customers say they wear their piece every single day. It becomes part of their daily ritual, putting it on in the morning, touching it during moments of longing or comfort. That’s what makes this work so special.

Handmade memorial ashes jewellery by KL Jewellery Designs, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Why Memorial Jewellery Means So Much

Grief doesn’t go away. But having something small and meaningful to hold on to can help. Memorial jewellery offers:

Connection: A physical link to someone you love

Comfort: Something to reach for in quiet moments

Legacy: A piece you can pass down to future generations

And because my jewellery is made with solid fine silver and built to last, it truly can become an heirloom. The ashes are part of the silver now. That connection will never fade.

Handcrafted in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Every memorial piece is made by hand in my small studio just outside Belfast, Northern Ireland. It’s quiet work, done with care and respect. I treat every set of ashes with the same reverence I would want for my own loved ones.

You won’t find a mass-produced process here. I only take on a limited number of memorial pieces at a time, and I work on one piece at a time, giving each one my full attention and love. It’s not rushed. It’s not transactional. It’s personal.

I often work with local families, and I’ve recently partnered with O’Neill’s Funeral Directors in Belfast to make the process even easier. They now hold samples of my jewellery and can help with placing orders and transferring ashes safely to me.

If you’re nearby, you can also call into my studio to talk through ideas in person. And if you're further away, I'm always happy to chat by email or message.

Memorial Ashes Jewellery NI working with O'Neill's Funeral Directors

What Makes a Good Memorial Piece?

If you’re considering memorial jewellery, here are a few things to think about:

Do you want something subtle and wearable every day?

Is it important that the ashes are permanently sealed?

Would you like the piece to match your existing jewellery?

Do you want something that can be passed on to family in the future?

If the answer to these questions is yes, then a simple, silver design like mine might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Handmade memorial ashes jewellery by KL Jewellery Designs, Belfast, Northern Ireland

A Final Word

Choosing to have ashes turned into jewellery is a big decision. It’s emotional. It takes trust. And it means so much to me to be part of that journey with the families I work with.

If you’d like to learn more, you can browse the Memorial Jewellery section on my website, or get in touch if you’d like to chat about creating a piece for someone you miss.

For gentle reminders of comfort, healing insights, and ways to cherish their memory, you’re welcome to join my newsletter. 

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With love, Katrina xx