Most of the time, when we choose to cremate a departed loved one, if a memorial is to be erected it is a small one set up inside the home. A photo of the friend or relative is often placed next to a decorative cremation urn, set up on a mantle or special shelf somewhere in the house. Perhaps some special keepsake that the person found precious in life may be displayed with the memorial as well.

Indoor cremation memorials also offer the chance to place other memorial objects and keepsakes around the decorative art urns. Photographs or trinkets belonging to the honored person are great items to place here. Memorial textile art, such as a custom made memorial quilt can be displayed somewhere within the shrine. Various sizes are available, from large wall hanging to small quilted squares. A piece of memorial jewelry, or hand made memorial books and text in an album are also great additions to an indoor cremation memorial.

However, if you want to create a shrine outdoors, you can be just as creative, but you will need to use a metal cremation urn or stone cremation urn to withstand the elements. Things like photographs or delicate items will need to be protected somehow. A nice outdoor memorial can be a very special place, and can also be more easily accessible to others friends and family who may want to visit with the departed. If room permits and the time is available to do it, an outdoor cremation memorial can be truly wonderful.

An out of the way spot can be selected in the yard, and a small altar erected. A miniature gazebo with flowers and a bench or seats can create a peaceful environment for friends and family to sit and reflect. A custom made cremation urn as the centerpiece of the memorial is appropriate if made from the right materials. If the memorial is covered in this way, a slightly more delicate material can make the decorative cremation urn.

Perhaps there is a special tree in the yard somewhere that may serve as the location of a memorial. If the location of the memorial is to be exposed like this, then a sturdy cremation urn, or perhaps even a burial urn designed to be placed in the ground is appropriate, to survive for a long time in the sun and the rain.

A great thing about a cremation memorial of any kind is the fact that it is so versatile. The shrine can be rearranged, changed, dismantled or moved with relative ease. In many cases, the cremated remains are divided into smaller, matching hand made cremation urns. These smaller versions of the main decorative urn are then distributed to friends and family who wish to create their own personal memorial to the departed.

Another option is to have the remains incorporated into a beautiful, one of a kind memorial glass keepsake. A small amount of the cremated remains are introduced into the molten glass, allowing it so swirl and create lovely patterns in the colored glass. The cremation urn that holds the remains of the dearly departed can even be made in this way. Small pendants of beautiful art glass can be given to those who wish to have a lasting reminder of the friend or family member.

There are many options for memorial objects, and many places to find them. Always make sure you are dealing with a reputable website when shopping online. Ensure that the folks creating these works of art take the responsibility of creating memorial objects seriously. A good example is Shine On Brightly. Their selection of hand crafted memorial objects are hand made in the studios of artists local to western North Carolina. These artisans are dedicated to making art that aids in the healing process.