How we make afterstones

How much ash is needed?

We will send you a small collection jar holding up to 50 grams of ash, in line with Royal Mail guidelines for transporting ash. You can fill the jar completely or send only what feels comfortable — there is no obligation to send the full amount.

We will incorporate the ash into your chosen piece and return any unused ash to you in the collection jar. We would never discard any ashes or any material containing them.

How your piece is made

Each Afterstone is made individually by hand — we never create in batches. Here is what happens once your ashes arrive with us:

We begin by carefully refining the ashes, removing any impurities. The ash is then combined with eco-friendly mineral powders and a water-based resin. The mixture is poured and formed by hand into your chosen piece — whether that is a pebble, heart, bowl, pot or vase.

Once solid and durable, each piece is smoothed and finished by hand. Where applicable, a soft felt base is added to protect your surfaces. The appearance of every piece is shaped by the ashes themselves, creating natural variations in tone and texture. No two Afterstones are ever the same.

How we keep your ashes safe

We operate a rigorous ID tracking system to ensure complete confidence throughout:

• On receipt, your ashes are assigned a unique ID tag and tracked at every stage
• Each piece is made individually — one person or pet at a time
• All equipment is thoroughly cleaned between each piece
• Strict documentation is maintained at every stage of the process
• Any unused ashes and all materials containing them are always returned to you — never discarded

What to expect and when

Once your order is placed, we send you a collection kit containing the ash jar and prepaid tracked return packaging. Simply place your ashes into the jar, seal it securely, and return it using the packaging provided. From the moment your ashes arrive with us, we confirm safe receipt by email and keep you updated at each stage so you always know where they are and what to expect next.

Hand delivery and collection is also available at our offices near Exeter, Devon.

Ready when you are

If you have ashes at home, there is no time limit. This process is available whenever you feel ready.