How to Order a Cremation Memorial

We know this may be a process you never expected to navigate. The five steps below will gently guide you through choosing a memorial, preparing and mailing the ashes, and what happens as the artist creates your piece and sends it home. Take your time—there is no need to make every decision at once.

Step 1 Choose Your Memorial

Choose what feels meaningful to you.

Take a little time to explore the memorials that feel right to you. You can browse by memorial type or by artist. Each product page shows who creates the piece, how much ashes are needed, where the ashes will be sent, and the artist’s current turnaround time.

Browsing Sands of Time memorial designs on a laptop

Step 2 Place Your Order

Place your order for the memorial you selected.

When you find the piece you would like to order, choose the available options on the product page, add it to your cart, and complete checkout.

Step 3 Prepare the Correct Amount

Prepare the amount of ashes your memorial requires.

If one artist is creating more than one memorial for you, add those amounts together and send them in one package. If your order includes different artists, prepare one package for each artist.

Ashes being handled carefully and respectfully while preparing a memorial order

Step 4 Safely Mail the Ashes

Safely mail the ashes to the artist’s studio.

The USPS Small Cremated Remains Shipping Kit is provided at no charge. Order it directly from USPS. Once the ashes are securely packed, take the package to the post office counter.

Official USPS Small Cremated Remains Shipping Kit

1
Please send the required ash amount shown on the product page, placed inside two tightly sealed Ziplock bags.
2
Write your name and telephone number on the bag with permanent marker, or place a small card with that information inside the outer bag.
3
Pack the sealed bags inside the USPS Small Cremated Remains Shipping Kit by following the instructions included with the kit.
4
Use the artist’s studio address shown on the product page, then take the package directly to the post office counter. Please do not place it in a drop box.
5
Keep your receipt and tracking number so you can follow the package until it reaches the artist.

Step 5 Created With Care and Sent Home

Your memorial is created, carefully packaged,
and sent home.

When the ashes arrive, the artist records the package, labels it, and stores it safely until it is time to begin your order. Only one family’s ashes are handled at a time while the artist is working. The artist reviews your order details, and our team will contact you if anything needs clarification. Your memorial is then made by hand according to the design and options you selected. Once it is finished, it is carefully packaged for the journey home, and you’ll receive tracking information when it leaves the artist’s studio.

A completed memorial carefully packaged for its journey home

When You're Ready

I’m ready to explore memorials

Browse the Sands of Time collection.

Explore Memorials

I still have questions

I’d like to review more detailed answers.

Visit the Help Desk

You Never Have to Figure This Out Alone

Sands of Time is a family-run business. When you reach out, you are speaking with a team that understands our artists, our process, and the care involved in every memorial.

Whether you need help choosing a memorial, preparing the ashes, or checking an artist’s current turnaround time, we are here to help.

Office hours: Monday–Friday · 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Central

Are You Helping Your Family Plan Several Memorials?

When family members are sharing choices through texts, calls, and messages, keeping everything organized can quickly feel overwhelming. That’s why we created a dedicated space to keep each person’s selections, colors, sizes, quantities, notes, and questions together.