Turn your loved one's ashes into art, thanks to creative containers for cremains

By Jack Broom
Seattle Times staff reporter

Would you spend eternity in a cigar? Would you keep a loved one in a motorcycle gas tank? Display her in a graceful glass statue, place her in Puget Sound in a paper pillow or mix her into the paint on her very own portrait?

Call it thinking outside the urn. As cremation grows in popularity, the somber dark urns of the past are giving way to an increasing variety of artistic creations of glass, metal, wood and ceramic.

There's no need to wait for heaven's call. Many are being marketed to a younger audience as objects to enjoy in this life before reposing in them in the next. And Washington, where nearly two-thirds of those who die are cremated, is fertile ground for this ever-expanding array.

Underworld figure

"Anubis," the Egyptian jackal-headed god of the dead, was the "People's Choice" winner at a November art show in Philadelphia with more than 300 cremation containers. Made by Pennsylvania artist Jack Thompson of painted ceramic, it's 16 inches tall and sells for $1,800; www.funeria.com. Michael Monroe, executive director of the Bellevue Arts Museum, was the lead juror for the Philadelphia exhibit. "When I first got the invitation, it was a little disconcerting thinking what these are used for. But once I got reviewing these pieces, particularly some I could identify with, I gained a sense of calm and peacefulness." Monroe felt closest to ones made from paper, which disintegrate underground, returning their occupants to the earth.

Holy smoke

A cigar humidor in this life, a place of rest in the next. "La Vida Buena" (The Good Life) is a 29-inch tube of cedar, paper and gold leaf by Michael Creed of Virginia. It's also a $4,500 conversation starter at Art Honors Life, a newly opened Sonoma County art gallery specifically showcasing cremation vessels; www.funeria.com.

Biker heaven

Ashes to ashes

The numbers: More than 64 percent of those who died in Washington in 2005 were cremated, according to estimates of the Cremation Association of North America. Only Nevada had a higher rate, just over 65 percent.

Why Washington? A mobile population with fewer long-term ties to the area and an environmental ethic that makes some people want to take up less — or no — cemetery space are among reasons people here choose cremation, says John Eric Rolfstad, executive director of the nonprofit People's Memorial Association. The 100,000-member group contracts with funeral homes to offer an all-inclusive $559 cremation.www.peoples-memorial.org.

Where may remains be scattered? National parks, yes. National forests, no. State parks, yes. Your backyard, of course. And yes to most waterways. But there are rules about getting permission and whom to notify.

"Born to Ride" gas tanks are among the latest in a category of urn that depicts a favorite hobby of the person inside. The full-size one is $439, but it's also offered in a smaller "keepsake" size for $299 that could allow several members of the family to keep some of the remains; www.evrmemories.com.

Final pillow

Scattering remains at sea isn't new, but this may make it a little easier. The "Journey Earthurn" is made of paper from the renewable bark of a mulberry tree. Dropped into water, it floats for a few moments, then slowly sinks and eventually dissolves. It's about 1 foot square and 3 inches thick. Available for $89 from Seattle-based InEternia: www.funeral-urn.com

Wheel of life

Bellingham artist Chris Moench hadn't thought about using his ceramic "prayer wheels" as cremation containers until a couple who purchased one at a 2003 charity auction told him that was their plan. "I was quite surprised, but really honored." Now he makes a variety just for that purpose, $250 to more than $4,000. "Salmon Abundant Return," shown, is $1,100 at www.funeria.com.

Preserved in paint

"Some people start out feeling it's kinda spooky, but when they think about it, it turns totally positive," said Neil Helmkay of Flint, Mich., who last year started mixing cremated remains in oil paintings of the departed. "We bring them to life as much as possible," Helmkay said. "You can walk up to a portrait and say that's your mother — and it really is your mother." Starting at $1,599 at www.ashestoportraits.com.

Double use

"The Haven" reflects the growing trend of containers that become keepsakes after the remains are scattered. The $320 cedar-and-cast aluminum birdhouse comes with a paper heart embedded with forget-me-not seeds for the garden; www.funeral-urn.com.

Staying in sight

Many traditional urns, in metal or wood, conceal cremains. But in the $330 "Memory Glass," some remains are seen as streaks of white ash. It's among the offerings at InEternia, started last fall by Michelle and Brad Bailey, who were looking for a business to run from their North Seattle home after having a second child. They say many people have relatives' remains in the original plain boxes because they haven't been comfortable thinking about them. "Our goal is to get these boxes of ashes out of the closet," said Brad Bailey. "People could be surrounded by art objects that represent and contain their heritage." www.funeral-urn.com.

Bold new looks

"Strong Women Urn 10" is one of a series by glass artist Steve Sizelove of Indiana that brings color and style to the final resting place; $959 at www.funeral-urn.com.

Photos courtesy Funeria, Everlasting Memories and InEternia