Short answer: A custom memorial is something made for one person, such as a sculpture, a 3D-printed keepsake, a portrait or a quilt. Funeral Clear does not make or sell these yet. This guide explains how they are made and what to ask an independent maker, so you can decide without pressure.
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Why aren't you selling these yet?
Please read this first
Funeral Clear does not make or sell these items yet. We are collecting requests and will try to match families with independent makers. We cannot promise a reply time or that a maker will be available for your idea.
It would be easy to put up a catalogue and call it a shop. We chose not to. A page of prices would suggest we have makers, stock and delivery times that we do not yet have.
We would rather tell you the truth than sound further along than we are. Custom work is personal. Each piece depends on one maker, one family and one set of memories, and it cannot be treated like a box off a shelf.
So we are starting by listening. We are collecting requests to learn what families actually want. If enough families ask for the same kind of thing, we will try to match them with independent makers whose work we have looked at. That is a goal, not a promise.
In the meantime, these guides are free to read. They are written so you can talk with any maker, anywhere, from a position of knowing what to ask.
What is a custom memorial?
A custom memorial is made for one person and one family. It might be a bronze bust, a quilt sewn from a loved one's shirts, a small 3D-printed figure, or a bench in a favorite park.
It differs from a ready-made keepsake because the maker works from your photos, objects, words or ideas. That makes it more personal. It also means more time, more decisions and more things to check.
Some makers work by hand for weeks. Others use digital tools such as 3D scanning and printing. Both can produce lovely results, and the guides explain the differences in plain language.
Custom does not mean better. Many families find real comfort in a simple, ready-made item, or in something they make themselves. This guide is here to help you choose what fits, not to push you toward spending.
Which kind of custom memorial might suit our family?
Each guide below covers what the item is, how it is made, who it suits, what drives the price, what to ask, red flags, privacy, care, lower-cost options and when not to rush.
- Memorial sculptures and busts
Clay or wax to bronze, stone carving, and resin or plaster casts.
- 3D-printed keepsakes
Small figures, charms and replicas made from photos or a scan.
- 3D-printed urns
Printed vessels for cremated remains, and how to check sealing and claims.
- 3D scanning and privacy
Consent, who owns scan files, deleting them, and children's data.
- Handprint and fingerprint keepsakes
Casts, prints and charms that keep a hand or a touch.
- Ashes into glass, diamonds and stones
What is real, what varies, and how to verify a maker's claims.
- Memorial portraits and paintings
Hand-made portraits from photos, in paint, pencil or charcoal.
- Memory quilts and bears from clothing
Soft keepsakes sewn from a loved one's clothes.
- Memorial plaques and benches
Public and private tributes, and the permission they need.
- Engraved memory boxes
Wooden boxes with names, dates, handwriting or photos.
- How to commission a custom memorial
A step-by-step guide to working with an independent maker.
- Custom memorial cost drivers
Why prices differ and how to compare quotes fairly.
How do I protect myself when I hire a maker?
Custom work is a trust relationship. Before you pay anything, ask to see finished work, get the plan and the price in writing, and agree on what happens to your photos and any files.
- Ask for a written quote that lists materials, labor, shipping and finishing.
- Ask what the maker needs from you and when you will see a proof or sample.
- Ask what happens if you are not happy, and how changes are handled.
- Never feel pressed. A caring maker will let you think.
The commissioning guide walks through each step, and the cost guide explains why quotes differ.
Also be careful with anything that involves a loved one's ashes, photos or scan files. Those are precious and private. Ask exactly how they will be handled, tracked and returned or deleted, and do not send them until you are comfortable.
How do I tell you what I have in mind?
If you would like us to know what you are looking for, use the request form. Say as much or as little as you like. We will try to match families with independent makers, but we cannot promise a reply time or availability.
You do not have to decide anything today. If it is too soon, bookmark this page and come back when you are ready.
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Frequently asked questions
Does Funeral Clear make custom memorials?
No. We do not make or sell them yet. We are collecting requests and will try to match families with independent makers.
Will someone reply to my request?
We cannot promise a response time or that a maker will be available. We read every request and use it to decide what to build.
Are custom memorials better than ready-made ones?
Not necessarily. Custom pieces are more personal but take more time and money. Many families are just as comforted by a simple item or one they make.
Can I use these guides with a maker I find myself?
Yes. The checklists and red flags apply to any independent maker, whether or not they are connected to us.
What keepsakes can be made from a loved one's ashes?
Several kinds of keepsakes can be made from a small portion of ashes, and many families choose them as a personal way to remember a loved one. Options include jewelry, glass art, keepsake urns, memorial stones, and pressed or sealed pieces. A small amount of ashes is usually enough. Funeral Clear does not manufacture or sell memorial products at this time, and this page is for information and referral only. What to ask: ask any artist or maker how much of the ashes they need, how the item is made, and how the ashes are handled and returned.
Can ashes be made into jewelry?
Yes, a small amount of cremated remains can be sealed in or incorporated into jewelry such as pendants, rings, or bracelets. Some designs hold ashes in a small chamber, while others blend them into glass or resin. Prices vary widely by material and craftsmanship. Funeral Clear does not make or sell jewelry, and we provide information only. What to ask: ask the maker how the ashes are handled, whether you can send a small amount or deliver them in person, what is returned to you, and what the return and repair policies are.
Is 3D printing a memorial safe and private?
3D printed memorials, such as a small figure or a model of a hand or face, can be meaningful, but privacy deserves a few questions. A provider may use photos, scans, or measurements, and those files could be stored or shared. Ask before you send anything. Some products may also include a small amount of ashes mixed into material. Funeral Clear does not produce 3D printed memorials, and this is information only. What to ask: ask what data the provider collects, how long it is kept, whether it is deleted on request, and whether it is used for any other purpose.
What are low-cost ways to create a lasting memorial?
Meaningful memorials do not have to be expensive, and many families choose simple and personal ideas. Examples include a memory book, a framed photo collage, a shadow box, a donation to a charity in the person's name, a tree or garden planting, or a dedicated family recipe night. An online memorial page can gather photos and stories from far-away friends. What to do: choose something that reflects your loved one's interests, invite family and friends to contribute a memory, and set a modest budget so the memorial feels like comfort rather than pressure.
How do I choose a trustworthy maker of memorial keepsakes?
A trustworthy maker will explain clearly how they handle ashes, what they charge, and what you will receive. Look for clear pricing, written policies for chain of custody, return of unused ashes, and a way to contact them by phone or email. Reviews can help, but check more than one source. Be cautious of any maker that pressures you or is unclear about shipping or insurance. What to ask: ask how the ashes are tracked, how long production takes, what the warranty is, and what happens if you are not satisfied. Funeral Clear does not make these items.
Can ashes be turned into glass art?
Yes, some artists blend a small amount of cremated remains into molten glass to make paperweights, ornaments, orbs, or sculptures. Each piece is handmade, so patterns and colors vary, and no two are exactly alike. Turnaround can take several weeks, depending on the artist's schedule. The ashes are mixed or encased, and the amount needed is usually small. Funeral Clear does not make or sell glass memorials, and this answer is for information only. What to ask: ask the artist how much ashes are needed, how they track and protect the remains, and what happens if a piece breaks during production.
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