Outdoor Memorial with Cremation Stones – An Outdoor Memorial

An outdoor memorial can be a beautiful tribute to a loved one who has been lost. For some people, creating an indoor tribute just doesn’t seem right – a person who loved to be outside in nature should be honored by a memorial in that same setting. Fortunately, memorial ashes turned to stone are perfect for the outdoors and make it easy to create a space that will pay tribute to your loved one for many years to come. 

The Sacred Stones is proud to serve customers by creating cremation stones that can feature as the centerpiece of an outdoor memorial. To learn more about our offerings today, simply give us a call.

 

Why Choose an Outdoor Memorial?

There are few things quite as peaceful as an outdoor memorial. Wherever the memorial is created, it will be a place where all loved ones can visit and feel connected to the person they are missing. Away from the normal distractions in life, the memorial will allow for a deep breath and plenty of reflection about the memories that you want to cherish forever. 

Another great thing about an outdoor memorial is how it can evolve over time. It doesn’t need to be a static thing – it can develop and change, adapting to the world around it and the growth of any plants or trees that might be involved.

 

How Cremation Stones Fit In

Cremation stones are a perfect match for an outdoor memorial. For one thing, they are ready to stand up to the elements. They aren’t going to be worn down anytime soon by tough weather conditions. And, since they are stones, they will look right at home outside and will blend in beautifully with the surrounding environment. No matter what it is that you have in mind for this memorial, stones will be an easy piece to include in the design.

 

A Few Ideas

Trying to begin this project and aren't quite sure where to start? No problem, we have a few ideas below that will help you understand some of the possibilities.

●      Memorial Garden. This might be the most popular option, as a small garden featuring the individual's favorite flowers or plants is perfect.

●      Natural Pathway. You might want to place these stones along a pathway that your loved one used to travel, or a path that you create in their honor.

●      Sitting Area. Since you will want to stop and reflect when visiting your outdoor memorial, a bench or another type of sitting area is a logical choice. The stones can be placed in this area to add to the meaning of the place.

●      Water Feature Integration. Water often symbolizes tranquility, cleansing, and the continuous flow of life. Incorporating Sacred Stones into a small pond, bird bath, or a cascading waterfall feature can create a serene and contemplative space. The smooth stones, placed gently along the edge or within the basin, can beautifully complement the natural sounds and movements of water, offering a peaceful spot for remembrance.

●      Sculptural Element. For a more artistic and prominent tribute, consider integrating your Sacred Stones into a custom-designed outdoor sculpture. This could be anything from a simple cairn-like stack of stones to a more elaborate abstract piece that holds the cremation stones within or around it. A well-chosen sculpture can serve as a focal point in your garden or yard, transforming the memorial into a unique work of art that reflects your loved one's spirit.

 

Create Your Unique Vision

The perfect outdoor memorial is one that properly honors your loved one and is true to your family. There are no rules, and you are free to create whatever it is that will be meaningful and serve as a space to remember the person you’ve lost. If cremation stones are going to play a role in that vision, simply contact The Sacred Stones to get started.

FAQ

Why Stones?

Stones speak to us.

They are beautiful solid reminders of connection and dependability.

They provide a way to hold and be close with your loved one in a tidy and touching way.

We spend a lot of our free time outdoors, particularly around water - trout fishing, kayaking, camping, hiking. Often, we collect rocks and stones as reminders of these adventures.

Believing in the power of stones as a part of nature, we began crafting ashes into their shapes. Starting in 2023, we developed a process that we believe gives people a beautiful alternative to the traditional ways of storing or scattering ashes.

Why Not Scatter Ashes Or Keep Them In An Urn?

  • While scattering ashes is a very common way to say our final goodbyes to a departed loved one, there are negative environmental impacts from this practice. Cremated human ashes contain very high levels of salts and highly alkaline components - these can cause damage to plants, soil microbes, soil nutrient balance, and leaching of salts into groundwater. Salt Stress in Plants and Mitigation Approaches
  • Everyone handles grief, loss, and death in their own way, and that is why we are here. Personally, we feel that transforming ashes into a form which can be touched and held close or returned to nature feels less confining than an urn or columbarium.

How Long Does The Process Take?

Our current order time is 4-5 weeks from when we receive your loved one's package in our workshop.

How Do I Ship The Ashes To You?

  • Currently the only legal method of shipment for cremated remains is via USPS Priority Express with appropriate labeling:

How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains

  • We will mail a package of shipping materials and instructions to your home once your order is received through our website. These should arrive within 5-10 business days from USPS.
  • *The buyer is responsible for the shipping cost of sending cremated remains to Sacred Stones*
  • We will keep you informed about the status of the shipped ashes and stones.

Are They Environmentally Friendly?

  • Our process involves the careful removal of excess salts and highly alkaline components of cremated remains prior to formation of the stones.
  • After the removal of these components, our stones and the solidified ashes within may be placed in nature without the concern of damage to the soil, water, and ecosystem.
  • Our stones include a protective shellac coating for increased longevity when exposed to the elements, without any risk of plastic or chemical contamination.

How Long Do Our Stones Last?

  • Our stones will last indefinitely indoors - outdoors they will break down over time due to normal wear and tear due to weather conditions. Over time meaning months to years (not days or hours).
  • Our stones are water-resistant but not waterproof, we use shellac as an environmentally friendly exterior coating (versus epoxy/plastics which would be waterproof but result in plastics being released into the environment). 

Do I Have To Order Online?

  • No, you are welcome to pay over the phone and we will confirm order detail with an itemized invoice.
  • We try to be as flexible as possible during such a difficult time of loss - we can process your payment through email or you can send us a check.

What Size And Color Are The Stones?

  • Each stone is approximately 2-4 inches wide.
  • Our collections of Sacred Stones use a variety of shapes and sizes so that each stone is unique. Each stone is modeled after a real stone collected from nature, so each one is perfectly unique.
  • Generally the stones are white to tan in color. But the color of the stones will be unique due to the natural variations in pigments contained within the cremated ashes of your loved one, reflecting their own unique characteristics and life to be remembered.