Cremation Necklaces

Keep your loved one close to your heart with a cremation necklace that is as unique as the bond you shared. Each piece from Close By Me is handcrafted using your loved one’s ashes, preserved within fine jewelry that honors their memory in a deeply personal way.

Our patented process captures the natural color of your loved one’s ashes and permanently sets them into your chosen memorial pendant. The result is a piece that is not only a beautiful necklace but also a tangible connection to the person or pet who means so much to you.

We carry a wide range of ashes pendants and necklaces, all crafted from solid 14k gold and .925 sterling silver. With designs ranging from delicate and minimalist to bold and expressive, there is a meaningful option for every style and story.

Every cremation ash necklace we create is made with compassion, respect, and care. We work with a small network of trusted jewelers, suppliers, and designers for the jewelry and any metal components, and then each ashes setting is carefully handcrafted in our Southern California studio.

We are honored to help you create a lasting keepsake that celebrates your loved one’s life, love, and memory. If you have any questions about our memorial necklaces or cremation jewelry process, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help every step of the way.

What is a cremation necklace?

A cremation necklace refers to a memorial pendant that holds or incorporates your loved one’s ashes. At Close By Me, we use a patented process to solidify the ashes and permanently bond them to the jewelry itself. Unlike traditional urn pendants, which are filled with dry ashes and then sealed, our process allows the ashes and pendant to become one beautiful necklace you can wear and keep close.

How are Close By Me cremation necklaces made?

Each cremation necklace is handcrafted in our Southern California studio with the utmost care and attention to detail. To create your piece, we require a small amount of your loved one’s ashes—about one teaspoon is sufficient for most orders.

Once we have both the ashes and your chosen jewelry, we begin our multi-stage, patented setting process. During this process, the ashes are combined with a clear, high-grade jewelry resin that solidifies them and showcases their natural color. The result is a one-of-a-kind ashes setting that resembles glass or stone, beautifully preserved within your memorial necklace or ashes pendant.

Do cremation necklaces hold ashes inside?

Unlike traditional urn-style cremation jewelry, our pieces do not hold loose ashes inside a compartment. Instead, your loved one’s ashes are fused to the jewelry itself, creating a solid, permanent setting that can be seen, touched, and worn every day without worry.

What materials are your cremation necklaces made from?

All of our ashes pendants are crafted from solid 14k gold or .925 sterling silver, ensuring lasting quality and beauty. To help keep our prices accessible, our 14k gold cremation necklaces are paired with gold-filled or rhodium-plated sterling silver chains. If you prefer, solid 14k gold chains are also available by special order.

The only exception is any cremation necklace featuring a soldered or permanently attached chain—in these designs, both the pendant and its chain are made entirely from solid 14k gold. Each piece is designed to be both meaningful and durable, so you can wear your memorial necklace with confidence for years to come.

How much ashes are needed for a cremation necklace?

We typically ask that you send about one teaspoon of ashes for orders of five or fewer cremation necklaces. Only a small portion is used in each ashes setting, and any remaining ashes are carefully returned to you along with your finished cremation jewelry.

If you believe you may have less than a teaspoon of ashes, please don’t hesitate to contact us before ordering. In most cases—depending on the designs or number of pieces you choose—we can often create your memorial necklace with less.

How do I send ashes for my cremation necklace?

You have two options for safely sending your loved one’s ashes to us:

Option 1: Send them directly using your own packaging or the USPS Cremated Remains Box

After you place your order, we’ll provide detailed instructions on how to securely package and ship your loved one’s ashes. In general, this involves placing a small amount of ashes in a sealed, airtight bag or container, and then placing inside a second bag or container for added protection.

As of March 1, 2025, USPS requires all cremated remains to be shipped using their Priority Mail Express Cremated Remains Box. This box can be ordered for free on the USPS website, and the shipping label can be purchased at your local post office. The typical postage fee ranges from $40–$70.

Read the full USPS guidelines here ↗

Option 2: Use our optional prepaid ashes collection kit (U.S. only)

Our prepaid kit is an optional and convenient way to send your loved one’s ashes for your cremation jewelry order. The kit includes:

• A small metal screw-top container for the ashes
• A plastic ring sizer
• An information card for your order details
• A prepaid padded envelope for USPS 1–2 Day Priority Mail Express shipping

If you’d like to use the USPS Cremated Remains Box instead of the prepaid envelope, we can easily accommodate that—just reach out to us before or shortly after placing your order. Detailed packaging and return instructions are also included in your order confirmation email.

How long does it take to receive my cremation necklace?

The production time for your cremation necklace depends on the design you choose and whether the piece needs to be ordered from our jeweler.

If your selected memorial pendant needs to be ordered, it typically takes 3–6 weeks for us to receive it—though in rare cases, certain designs may take a bit longer. Once it arrives and we have your loved one’s ashes, we begin the setting process, which takes about two weeks to complete. From there, please allow approximately one additional week for your cremation jewelry to be carefully packaged and prepared for shipment.

If the cremation necklace or memorial pendant you selected is already in stock, your finished jewelry will usually be ready to ship within 2–3 weeks of us receiving the ashes.

We keep a small stock of our sterling silver cremation pendants, while 14k gold pieces are almost always made to order. Every ashes setting is handcrafted in our Southern California studio with great care, and we truly appreciate your patience while we give each necklace the attention and respect it deserves.

Can I wear my cremation necklace every day?

Yes, our cremation necklaces are durable, waterproof, and designed to be worn daily. However, we recommend removing them before swimming (pool or ocean), cleaning, and heavy physical activity to prevent wear on the ashes setting and metal.

The most important things to avoid are:

• Harsh chemicals lor alcohol-based products
• Sharp or abrasive items
• Prolonged exposure to extreme heat or direct sunlight

Should the ashes setting of your cremation necklace ever become dull, damaged, or discolored, you can always send it back to us for restoration. This service is included under the Lifetime Warranty for your ashes setting; you would only be responsible for shipping costs.

For more tips on cremation necklace care and keeping your memorial jewelry looking like new, see our blog post:

Care & Cleaning for Resin Jewelry ↗

Can you make custom cremation necklaces?

Absolutely! We love helping clients create custom cremation necklaces and memorial pendants that honor their loved one’s unique spirit and story.

If you have a fully custom design in mind—such as a completely unique pendant shape or alterations to the bail or other elements of an existing design—we work with a professional jewelry designer to bring your vision to life. For full details about the custom design process, including the fee and revision policy, please visit our Custom Design Fee page ↗ and submit your inquiry in the contact form.

Smaller changes or additions—such as special engraving, incorporating ashes with another material, or having your memorial pendant cast in a different metal not listed—can often be accommodated. These adjustments are not classified as custom designs and typically do not require the full custom design fee, though an additional fee may apply depending on the request.

No matter the level of customization, every piece is handcrafted in our Southern California studio with the same care and attention as all our cremation necklaces and ashes pendants.

Thank you so much for your interest in our ashes jewelry. If you have any questions or need any guidance, please don’t hesitate to reach out—our team is here to help every step of the way.