What to Expect
We know this may be a process you never expected to navigate. The six 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.
Choose the answer that best describes where you are today.
We recommend waiting until the ashes are in your care before placing an order. You are always welcome to explore beforehand, especially when you already know the ashes will be available.
This guide can help you understand what to expect now, even if the ashes have not reached you yet.
Some customers are choosing a personal memorial for themselves. Others are helping family members or friends choose several memorials together.
The next step explains how to browse by memorial type or by the artist whose work speaks to you.
Everyone can choose the memorial that feels most meaningful to them, while one person coordinates the order and the ashes.
Family savings are applied automatically:
You can explore by memorial type or by artist. Each product page clearly shows who creates the piece, how much ash is needed, where the ashes should be mailed, and the artist’s current turnaround time.
Every product page tells you exactly how much ash is needed for that memorial and where the ashes should be sent. If one artist is creating several pieces, add together the amounts listed for those pieces and send that total in one package. If your order includes memorials from different artists, prepare one package for each artist’s studio using the amounts shown on those product pages.
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. Cremated remains must be mailed using Priority Mail Express.
Please send the required ash amount shown on the product page, placed inside two tightly sealed Ziplock bags.
Write your name and telephone number on the bag with permanent marker, or place a small card with that information inside the outer bag.
Pack the sealed bags inside the USPS Small Cremated Remains Shipping Kit by following the instructions included with the kit.
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.
Keep your receipt and tracking number so you can follow the package until it reaches the artist.
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 will contact you if anything needs clarification.
Your memorial is made by hand according to the design and options you selected.
The finished memorial is carefully packaged, and tracking is sent when it leaves the artist’s studio.
Browse the Sands of Time collection.
Explore MemorialsI’d like to review more detailed answers.
Visit the Help DeskReal People, Real Support
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
A Helpful Planning Tool
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.
Explore memorial styles, learn more about our artisan process, and find helpful information for the next step in your family’s journey. Select any section below to continue.
