How ashes are handled once they are entrusted to Memory Within Memorial Jewellery
Recent news stories involving the funeral profession have understandably raised concerns for many families. When stories appear about ashes being misidentified or mistakes occurring much earlier in the funeral process, it’s natural to question how systems work, and whether loved ones can be trusted to be cared for properly.
While these incidents are deeply upsetting, it’s important to understand where responsibility sits at each stage and what happens once ashes are passed into the care of a memorial jewellery studio like ours.
From crematorium to memorial jewellery
By the time ashes reach Memory Within, they have already passed through a series of formal checks carried out by the crematorium and funeral director.
In Scotland, cremated remains are issued with:
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a unique cremation number
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accompanying documentation
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and identification that follows them through the cremation process
Ashes are checked and signed out of the crematorium before being released, and again when returned to or collected from the funeral director. Families may then choose to retain the ashes themselves or send a small portion to us to create memorial jewellery.
What happens when ashes arrive with us
When ashes are entrusted to Memory Within, they are:
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logged immediately on arrival
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stored securely in a locked metal cabinet
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kept in individually labelled containers, separated from all others
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matched with their accompanying paperwork at every stage
Only a small, measured amount is ever removed for the creation of jewellery. The remainder stays sealed and untouched.
Ashes are never:
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stored communally
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transferred between containers without checks
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or worked on without clear identification
Each set of ashes remains traceable throughout its entire time in our care.
A process built on respect, not speed
Every piece of memorial jewellery we create is made individually, by hand, in our studio. There are no production lines, no batch processing, and no outsourcing.
This slower, considered approach allows us to:
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work on one family’s jewellery at a time
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keep ashes clearly separated
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and maintain constant accountability
To us, ashes are not a material, they are someone’s loved one. We treat them with the same respect we would expect for our own family.
Transparency matters
We understand that families need reassurance, especially in light of recent media coverage. That’s why we have a clear Ashes Handling Policy, which explains exactly how ashes are received, stored, handled, and returned.
You can read our full policy here: Ashes Handling Policy
If you ever have questions, concerns, or simply want something explained in plain English, we are always happy to talk.
Opening the conversation
There are many myths around funerals, cremation, and memorial jewellery, often because people aren’t told why things are done in a certain way.
If you’ve ever wondered about something you’ve seen, heard, or read, please feel free to ask. Honest conversation helps build trust, and trust matters deeply in the work we do.
Caring for memories is a privilege, and one we never take lightly.
Jo x