Keepsakes and ashes

Gentle ways to keep someone close, and to choose what happens with their ashes. There's no rush. Take your time, and ask us about anything here.

Not sure where to start? Ask the Gaia team

Ways to keep them close

Some families choose one of these. Many choose a few, so everyone can keep something close.

Prices are in Australian dollars, incl. GST. Standard tracked delivery in Australia is included for keepsake urns, biodegradable urns and jewellery. Full-size urns are heavy, so their delivery is extra, at cost. There's nothing to pay on this page. We confirm the price of exactly what you choose, then send you a secure link. You pay in full when you confirm, before we make or book anything.

  • Cremation urns

    A lasting place for their ashes, at home, in a garden or at a cemetery.

    • Keepsake urnsSmall urns that hold a little of the ashes, so several people can each keep some close.From $89 for a small urn with their name and dates engraved.
    • Full-size urnsHold all of the ashes. Made in timber, ceramic, metal or stone.From $249 for an adult-size timber, ceramic or brass urn, with their name and dates engraved or on an engraved plate. Stone is quoted.They're heavy, so delivery is extra, at cost, and shown in your quote before you pay.
    • Biodegradable urnsMade from natural materials that gently break down. Each one is made either for the earth or for water, and labelled for which.From $129 for an adult-size paper or bamboo urn, made for the earth or for water.

    Buying for someone else? Send a keepsake urn as a gift

  • Memorial jewellery

    A pendant, ring or bracelet that keeps them with you every day.

    • Holds a little ashA small, sealed space inside the piece holds a tiny amount of their ashes.From $169 for a sterling silver pendant, with a chain and a small kit for filling it.
    • Carries their fingerprintTheir own print, set into the piece. Your funeral director may be able to take a print for you.From $249 for a sterling silver pendant with one fingerprint and a short engraving on the back, with a chain.

    Rings, bracelets, larger sizes and gold are quoted.

    Buying for someone else? Send an ash pendant as a gift

  • Scattering their ashes

    Let them rest somewhere that meant something to them.

    • At seaFrom the shore or from a boat. If you're going out on a boat, ask the skipper first.With the family on board: from $890 for a 2-hour private boat with a skipper, for up to 10 guests, with flower petals and a certificate showing where.We book it with a local charter operator, who runs the boat. It depends on the weather and on having an operator near you, so we'll tell you what's possible where you are. If the boat can't go out, we'll offer you a new date.
    • From the airFrom a small plane or helicopter, over the coast, the bush or a place they loved.Ask us for a quote.
    • On landIn a garden, a favourite place, a park or a cemetery.Ask us what's possible.

    Ask first. On private land, you need the owner's permission. For parks, beaches and reserves, check with the local council or whoever looks after the land. Rules differ between states and territories. NSW Health's guide to cremation ashes explains how it works in NSW.

  • Memorial trees and gardens

    Something living that keeps growing in their memory.

    • A memorial treePlanted at home or on family land. Somewhere else that meant a lot to them may be possible too, with permission.
    • A memorial gardenA quiet corner with a bench, a plaque or their favourite flowers. Some cemeteries also have memorial gardens for ashes.

Ask about keepsakes

Tell us what you're thinking about. We'll come back to you with options and prices. Asking doesn't commit you to anything.

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Tick as many as you like.

When are you thinking?

Anything that would help, like a place you have in mind or how many keepsakes you'd like.

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GRIEF SUPPORT

Grief is real, and it can hit hard. Griefline is now part of SANE Australia. SANE's free Service Enquiries line, 1800 187 263 (weekdays except public holidays, 10am to 8pm AEST/AEDT), can help you find grief support. Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) are there any time, day or night, and Kids Helpline (1800 551 800) supports children and young people. In an emergency, call 000.

You don't have to figure everything out at once.

Gaia can support you through what follows, with care and guidance when you need it most.

Send flowers

Sympathy flowers delivered with care, anywhere in Australia.
Gaia memorial

Give their story a place to live with photos and heartfelt messages.
Printed keepsakes

Order of service, prayer cards and bookmarks printed to post.

Still have questions?

No. There's no need to decide straight away, and many families take their time. If the ashes are still with the crematorium, ask how long they can keep them for you.

Usually, yes. On private land, ask the owner first. For parks, beaches and reserves, check with the local council or whoever looks after the land, as some set a time and place for scattering. If you're going out on a boat, ask the skipper first. Rules differ between states and territories.

Yes. Keepsake urns and memorial jewellery hold a small amount, so several people can each keep some close. The rest can be scattered or kept in a full-size urn. Some faiths and cultures have their own customs about ashes, so it can help to talk it through together first.

It depends on what you choose. Most options above show where their price starts, incl. GST, and what that price includes. Anything without a price, like scattering from the air, is quoted. We confirm the price of exactly what you choose before you pay, and asking doesn't commit you to anything.