Dialogues About Death | E11: Memories & Mementos
Memories & Mementos: Honoring Loved Ones Through Keepsakes
Losing a loved one is never easy, but finding meaningful ways to keep their memory alive can bring comfort and connection. In the latest episode of Dialogues About Death, Chris Miller, owner of Thomas Miller Mortuary & Crematory, explored the many options available to memorialize a loved one—from keepsake jewelry to custom urns and even unique art pieces made from cremated remains.
If you’re wondering how to create a lasting tribute to someone special, this guide will walk you through beautiful, personal, and meaningful ways to cherish their memory.
Why Keepsakes Matter
Memorial keepsakes aren’t just about holding onto the past—they help us feel connected to our loved ones and celebrate the life they lived. Whether it’s a thumbprint pendant, a custom urn, or a piece of art infused with their ashes, these tributes serve as a daily reminder of their love and legacy.
Chris emphasizes that Thomas Miller Mortuary takes an educational, not sales-driven approach: 💡 “We never pressure families into purchasing keepsakes. Our goal is to offer meaningful options that help bring comfort and honor their loved one’s memory.”
Unique Memorial Keepsakes to Treasure
1. Thumbprint Jewelry & Keepsakes
- ✔️ Thumbprint Necklaces & Pendants – A fingerprint engraved in metal for a personal, wearable tribute.
- ✔️ Flasks & Golf Accessories – A masculine option with engraved fingerprints and personal inscriptions.
- ✔️ Ball Markers for Golfers – A small, special way to carry a loved one’s memory onto the green.
💡 Did You Know? Even if your loved one has already passed, Thomas Miller Mortuary can still create thumbprint keepsakes using their stored fingerprint data.
2. Cremation Art & Keepsake Urns
If your loved one chose cremation, there are many unique and artistic ways to preserve their remains:
- 🎨 Blown Glass Keepsakes – A stunning glass orb or heart with ashes infused into the design.
- 💎 Cremation Diamonds – Ashes can be compressed into a real diamond for a treasured keepsake.
- 🕊️ Hand-Carved Wooden Urns – Beautiful, artisan-made wooden urns crafted by a local veteran.
- 🕯️ Illuminated Memory Glass – A glowing LED-lit base that creates a soft, radiant display in your home.
💡 Fun Fact: Some urns and keepsakes are exclusive to Thomas Miller Mortuary, created by local artisans in California!
3. Unique & Personalized Memorials
If traditional keepsakes aren’t your style, consider these creative alternatives:
- 🐢 Biodegradable Paper Turtles – Designed to float on water before sinking gently, releasing ashes in a serene and dignified way.
- 🪨 Parting Stones – Cremated remains transformed into smooth, polished stones that can be displayed, gifted, or placed in nature.
- 🏠 Custom 3D-Printed Urns – Unique urns modeled after pets, vehicles, or even personal items for a deeply personal tribute.
💡 Did You Know? Ashes can also be placed inside a birdhouse, a coffee can, or even a tequila bottle if that holds special meaning!
Gifts Made from Ashes: Meaningful Ways to Share Their Memory
Sometimes, families choose to share their loved one’s ashes among multiple family members. Here are a few unique ways to do this:
- 🌱 Planting with Ashes – Ashes mixed with soil to help grow a tree or flowers.
- 🕊️ Ocean Scattering with Salt Urns – A Himalayan salt urn that dissolves naturally in the ocean.
- 🖋 Handwritten Messages Engraved on Keepsakes – Have their signature or handwriting laser-etched onto jewelry, flasks, or plaques.
💡 Tip: You don’t need to decide immediately. If you have ashes at home, you can bring them in at any time to create keepsakes later.
Pre-Planning Memorial Keepsakes: A Gift for the Future
Most people don’t realize they can pre-order keepsakes for themselves or loved ones while they’re still alive.
- 🎁 Thumbprint Jewelry for Grandparents – A perfect Mother’s Day or Father’s Day gift for a grandparent, featuring all their grandkids’ fingerprints.
- 🎂 Birthday or Wedding Keepsakes – A unique graduation or wedding gift—a cremation diamond or pendant made from a lost parent’s ashes.
- 🎨 Artistic Memorials – Choose a glass sculpture or painting infused with ashes as a pre-planned tribute.
💡 Good to Know: Even hair clippings can be used to create memorial diamonds, making it an option for those who choose burial instead of cremation.
Final Thoughts: Choosing What Feels Right for You
There is no “right” way to remember a loved one—only what feels meaningful to you. Whether you choose a small pendant, a glass artwork, or a custom urn, these keepsakes can bring comfort and connection for years to come.
💡 Chris’s Advice: “Keepsakes don’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Even the smallest memento can hold powerful memories and bring a sense of closeness.”
Need Help Choosing a Memorial Keepsake?
If you’d like to explore memorial keepsakes, cremation art, or custom urns, visit Thomas Miller Mortuary or check out the available options online.
📞 Call:
📍 Corona Chapel: (951) 737-3244
📍 La Sierra Memorial Chapel: (951) 687-0551
📌 Watch the full episode here: Memories & Mementos – YouTube
💬 Have questions? Leave a comment below—we’d love to hear your thoughts!