How to Fill a Cremation Jewelry Urn

When you start shopping for cremation jewelry, you might wonder how you’re going to fill the urn. The good news is that filling cremation jewelry is easier than you might expect. It only takes a few minutes and a handful of tools that you may already have around the house. Here is a step-by-step guide to filling a cremation urn, with a few tips to help you keep your cremation jewelry in great condition.

Cremation jewelry comes in a few varieties, including:

• Pendants and necklaces
• Bracelets
• Rings

Pendants, necklaces, and bracelets usually have a barrel, charm, or other component that will hold the ashes. When shopping for a cremation ring, be sure that the center or setting will hold loose remains. Some cremation rings involve pouring remains into resin or liquid metal, which means that they won’t have an urn to fill.

Although a cremation keepsake is meant to hold the remains of a loved one, it does not necessarily need to hold ashes. You can put in a variety of things, including:

• Cremated remains
• Soil from the burial site
• A bit of a favorite piece of clothing
• A lock of hair
• Dried flowers

When you choose, keep in mind that cremation jewelry will hold only a very small amount. They usually contain a pinch of ashes, up to a quarter of a cubic inch. Anything you put in should be quite small.

1. Set Up Your Workstation

Although the process may only take a few minutes, you should confirm that you have a functional workstation. Generally, you’ll want:

• Flat space with plenty of room for the bag of ashes and other supplies
• Clean area, free of clutter or dirt
• Plenty of good lighting, including spotlighting if necessary
• Effective ventilation
• Minimal wind or drafts

You can easily make a workstation at a kitchen table or home office desk.

2. Gather Supplies

You’ll need a few supplies to fill the jewelry, although many of these are optional:

• Towel to collect fallen ash
• Funnel with opening small enough to fit inside the jewelry (or a small piece of paper rolled into a funnel shape)
• Small sieve to remove big pieces of bone that could get stuck in the funnel
• Toothpick to help settle the cremains in the urn
• Plastic spoon to scoop the ashes into the funnel
• Clothespin or other support to prop up jewelry that fills from the side or bottom
• Screwdriver, if you have an urn that has a threaded closure
• Superglue

If you’re filling multiple pieces of jewelry at the same time, make sure you have all the pieces at your workstation.

3. Open Your Cremation Jewelry

Before you open the container of remains, make sure that you understand how to open and close the urn. There are a few types of cremation jewelry urn closures:

• Screw closure: Common, may require a flathead or Phillips head screwdriver
• Bail cap: Screw closure that also attaches a pendant to a chain, easy to open and close by hand
• Cork: May be opened and closed by hand with care

You may want to test opening and closing the urn once or twice, to confirm that you can do it quickly once the urn is ready for sealing.

4. Add Remains or Other Materials

At this point, you can add the remains or other materials. Aim to fill the urn about 80 to 90 percent, as any more could make the urn hard to close. To put a piece of cloth in the urn, you should flatten it, then roll it as tight as you can. If it won’t fit, consider cutting a smaller piece. If the threaded closure is large, you may want to use a brush or soft cloth to remove any collected remains before you close the urn.

5. Close Your Cremation Jewelry

Once the jewelry is full to your satisfaction, you can close the jewelry. Make sure you can close it fully, as you may not be able to seal it completely otherwise. Turn the bail cap so that it lays flat, or twist the screw until it sits flush with the opening. If your cremation jewelry keepsake has a cork, push it in until it is flush with the opening.

6. Apply Adhesive

Adhesive like superglue starts to cure rapidly, so never use glue while the jewelry is open in any way. For a bail top closure, slip the chain through the pendant and be sure the chain and pendant both lay flat before applying glue. For a cork closure, make sure the cork is inserted snugly into the opening. For a screw closure pendant, it is optional to apply glue. The screw will not open on its own because it is metal to metal and is a firm closure. Once the closure is firmly made and the pendant lays flat, put a very small drop over the screw, or over where the bail or cork meets the pendant.  Allow to dry overnight.

7. Need More Help?

Filling cremation jewelry can be tricky, especially if you’re trying to do it in the middle of the grieving process. You can call on us to help, and we’re happy to assist. We’re available from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Feel free to call us at (800) 757-3488 or contact us online.

Here are a few tips for caring for cremation jewelry:

• Storing Jewelry: Store your jewelry in a place that is clean, dry, and away from direct sunlight. Humidity and direct lighting can weaken or fade the jewelry.
• Removing Jewelry: Remove your jewelry before sleeping or doing vigorous activity, to avoid damaging the jewelry or losing it.
• Avoiding Water: Put your jewelry in a safe place before cleaning, bathing, or swimming, as water can compromise the adhesive holding the urn closed.
• Cleaning Jewelry: Use a jewelry cleaner’s cloth instead of harsh cleaners to clean your jewelry, to avoid damaging the surface or affecting the seal.

How much cremation ashes will a jewelry urn hold?

Cremation jewelry urns will usually hold a pinch of ashes. Larger pendants may hold more. Cremation jewelry is meant as a keepsake, so you will need to buy an adult sized or larger urn to hold the remainder of the ashes, or plan to scatter or bury them.

How full should cremation jewelry be?

You should fill a cremation jewelry urn about 80 to 90 percent full before attempting to close it. Urns that are filled to the top may not close properly or keep a tight seal.

Now that you have all the information you need to fill a cremation jewelry urn on your own, you can shop for the ideal piece of cremation jewelry with confidence that you’ll be able to handle the task once it arrives. Remember that the type of jewelry can affect the quantity of remains, as well as the type of closure and the way that you fill it. It’s best to get everything ready before you start trying to fill it, so you don’t have to fix problems or repeat steps.

Losing a loved one is such a hard part of life. Many people want to keep their loved ones close to them whenever they need them. With this information, you can fill your cremation jewelry and keep it looking as lovely as your memories.

Cremation jewelry can come in the form of pendant necklaces, bracelets, or rings. There will usually be a hollow charm to contain ashes. These charms may hold cremated remains, but can also hold other sentimental items such as soil from a burial site, a lock of hair, or dried flowers. Cremation jewelry urns have a very small volume, and a pinch of ashes will be enough to store in the jewelry. It takes no more than a few minutes to fill a cremation jewelry urn. The process of filling a jewelry urn consists of opening the jewelry urn’s closure, inserting a small portion of ashes, closing the jewelry urn again, and sealing it with adhesive. Treat your jewelry well and avoid exposing it to water in order to protect the strength of the adhesive and the sentimental contents inside.

MEET THE EXPERT

Susan Fraser, founder of In The Light Urns Inc., has spearheaded innovation in the memorial industry since 2001. After a personal tragedy, she created custom cremation urns for ashes reflecting a lost loved one's individuality and still speaking with customers daily. Her commitment to comfort made her an authority on cremation and memorials, guiding and consoling families through understanding and compassion. 

Susan's insights support and reassure during difficult times. Her relentless innovation introduced personalized options honoring legacies. With expertise and dedication, Susan's cremation guides give families invaluable resources for informed decisions.