Memorial Artwork Collections
At David Contreras Glass, we create handcrafted memorial glass artwork designed to honor cherished lives, preserve treasured memories, and celebrate enduring connections. Each memorial is individually handcrafted using a small portion of cremated remains, carefully and permanently encased within borosilicate glass to create a one of a kind heirloom designed to be treasured for generations.
Memorial Pendants
Wearable memorial artwork thoughtfully designed to keep a loved one's memory close. Individually handcrafted and available in a variety of styles, each pendant serves as a meaningful tribute to a cherished life.
Memorial Touchstones
Smooth, comforting glass keepsakes created for moments of reflection, remembrance, and connection. Designed to fit comfortably in the palm of your hand, touchstones offer a tangible source of comfort and remembrance.
Memorial Marbles
Timeless memorial keepsakes that reveal remarkable depth, color, and light within the glass. Ideal for display, reflection, or sharing among family members, each marble is individually handcrafted and completely unique.
Memorial Sculptures
Artistic memorial glass sculptures designed to create a lasting presence within the home. These larger works of art combine craftsmanship, symbolism, and remembrance in a meaningful and visually striking tribute.
Custom Memorial Artwork
For families seeking something truly personal, we offer custom memorial artwork created in collaboration with you. From meaningful color palettes and opal selections to symbolic design elements and custom concepts, each piece is thoughtfully crafted to reflect the unique life, memories, and connections it is created to honor.
Every memorial is handcrafted with care, respect, and more than two decades of artistic experience, resulting in a meaningful work of art that celebrates a life well lived and preserves treasured memories for generations to come.
How Much Cremated Remains Are Needed?
Only a small amount of cremated remains is needed to create memorial glass artwork. In most cases, approximately 1/8 teaspoon of cremated remains is sufficient for multiple memorial pieces, allowing families to create keepsakes for several loved ones while preserving the majority of the cremated remains.
Our process is both precise and respectful, enabling meaningful memorial artwork to be created using only a minimal quantity of cremated remains.
Every Cremation Kit includes a secure vial with a clearly marked fill line indicating the amount needed for your order. For Family and Friends Group Orders, the fill line will be adjusted based on the number and type of memorial pieces being created to ensure we receive the appropriate amount.
This thoughtful approach allows families to create multiple memorials while retaining most of the cremated remains for future keepsakes, memorial projects, or personal preferences.
How Long Will It Take to Create My Memorial?
Each memorial is individually handcrafted and made to order. Our typical production timeline is approximately 6 weeks from the time we receive your cremated remains. However, we always strive to complete orders as quickly as possible, and many memorials are finished sooner depending on our current production schedule.
Orders are generally completed in the order they are received to ensure every family receives the same level of care, attention, and craftsmanship.
If you have a special deadline, memorial service, celebration of life, or other time-sensitive need, please contact us before placing your order. Expedited production and shipping options may be available depending on our current workload and the complexity of the artwork requested.
We understand the importance of these memorials and are committed to creating each piece with the care, respect, and attention it deserves.
Do You Create Memorial Artwork for Pets?
Yes. We are honored to create memorial artwork for all beloved companions, including dogs, cats, horses, birds, and other cherished pets.
The bond we share with our animals is profound, and many families find comfort in having a meaningful keepsake that celebrates the love, companionship, and memories they shared together. Whether you are honoring a beloved pet or a family member, each memorial is created with the same care, respect, and attention to detail.
Every piece is individually handcrafted using a small portion of cremated remains, resulting in a one of a kind tribute designed to preserve treasured memories and celebrate a life that will always hold a special place in your heart.
Can Multiple Loved Ones Be Included in One Memorial?
Yes. We can create a memorial piece that includes the cremated remains of more than one loved one. Families may choose to combine cremated remains from multiple family members, multiple pets, or a combination of both within a single memorial artwork.
If you would like multiple loved ones represented in the same piece, we kindly ask that the cremated remains be gently combined before being placed into the vial included in your Cremation Kit. This helps ensure a smooth and respectful creation process.
Many families find comfort in creating a shared memorial that honors a special bond, celebrates a lifetime of connection, or keeps loved ones together within a single handcrafted tribute.
What Happens to Remaining Cremated Remains?
We request only a small amount of cremated remains to create your memorial artwork. In most cases, the majority of the cremated remains remain with your family. Occasionally, after the artwork is completed, a small amount of cremated remains may remain in our care.
Included with your Cremation Kit is a Cremated Remains Preference Form where you can indicate how you would like any remaining cremated remains to be handled following completion of your memorial.
Option 1: Respectful Scattering
At your request, any remaining cremated remains may be respectfully scattered in a peaceful natural setting meaningful to the artist and in accordance with applicable local laws and regulations.
Option 2: Return of Remaining Cremated Remains
Remaining cremated remains may be returned to you upon request. Return shipping fees will apply and are based on current carrier requirements and regulations governing the shipment of cremated remains.
Additional Information
Remaining cremated remains are securely held for up to 90 days following completion of your memorial artwork. In many cases, families choose to have the cremated remains retained during this period to allow for the creation of additional memorial pieces for family members or loved ones without the need to submit another shipment.
Will My Memorial Artwork Look Exactly Like the Photograph?
Each memorial is individually handcrafted, making every piece truly one of a kind. While the design, style, and overall appearance will closely reflect the artwork shown, natural variations will occur as part of the handcrafted process.
Several factors contribute to the uniqueness of each memorial, including the color and composition of cremated remains, the natural formation of bubbles within the glass, and the way colors, precious metals, and glass interact during creation. These variations are not imperfections, but rather part of what makes your memorial uniquely yours.
The appearance of artwork in photographs may also vary based on:
Lighting conditions and direction of light
Backgrounds and surfaces used during photography
Camera equipment and lenses
Computer monitors, phone screens, and display settings
Natural variations in glass, opals, precious metals, and other artistic materials
The unique characteristics of cremated remains incorporated into the artwork
Because each memorial is individually handcrafted and influenced by these natural variables, no two pieces will ever be exactly alike.
We take great care to create artwork that reflects the spirit and design of the piece selected. However, due to the one of a kind nature of handcrafted memorial glass art, we are unable to offer refunds based on aesthetic variations between a completed memorial and photographs displayed on our website.