Carved memorial (ashes) box, need ideas!

[Don by the lake]

Has anyone ever carved a memorial box for the storage of a loved ones ashes. I had a neighbor ask me if I would carve one for him. Looking for ideas and suggestions.
Thanks!

[docdredd]

I have not but my suggestion would be to interview the man about the person for which it is being made. Then carve items that were special to them in life.

[northwood bob]

Don - I'm not sure if this will help or not. I carved one for my two dogs out of butternut. I also couldn't find out the basic dimensions of the box so I needed to wait for the remains to be delivered to me. After making the box, I glued ALL sides of the box so that it would be un-openable. Dovetail or Box joint the edges.

I think you can probably estimate dimensions for the box either from the neighbor of from the funeral home. I do know that there are earns available from them.

In agreement from docdredd, have a little talk with the survivors and arive at an appropriate relief applied to either the top or the front of the box. Use something that would be meaningful.

Not a difficult job. It just takes some meaningful thought.

Good Luck
Bob

[Goody]

I studied up on this after almost kiciking the bucket this year and have made mine. The Standard for a single persons ashes is 200 cubic inches.
Information we wished we didn't know!
Goody

[mac1954]

Don thats a hard one, you need to do just enough that its not tacky, a small relief on a very good piece of dark wood , its risky. fair play to you for taking it on.

[brent]

Maybe chip carved?

[mrgrouch]

i was asked to do one (out of marble) some time ago, but i found it so difficult to come up with something that'd represent the "client's" personality and at the same time be sober and respectful enough for the mourning family, i just had to pass.

my difficulty with the subject may have had something to do with the fact that i'm mexican and it’s in my nature to understand death in humorous ways. so instead we photoshoped some pictures and had them laser etched on a black granite urn.

good luck and if it's okay with your clients, show pics

cheers

[Just Carving]

Off the top of my head, I would ask your neighbor for some favorite photos, and see if you could come up with some ideas. Maybe make it theme oriented around the deceased favorite pastime like fishing, carving, stamp collecting, etc., or if you're able, a relief of the deceased from the neighbor's favorite photo. Good luck!

Bob L

[Steve Reed]

Don, I was commissioned to do one a couple of years back. I Chip Carved the deceased's name, date of birth, date of passage in the front. The family came up with a design that I Chip Carved On the ends. On top of the box was a carving of a sleeping wolf, family's idea. PM me if you would like a pic.

[Old Scout]

My Brother in Law made Jewelry boxes after he retired. He directed his cremains be placed in one & buried in their cementary space. A Veteran memorial was placed over the box at a family gathering. I have now made 2 Red Cedar boxes for my wife & me, simple, with birth date, Initials & space for deceased date, for me or my carving Buddy to chip carve when the time comes I saw some elaborate boxes at a carving show in Vermont some years ago.