Further product information and FAQ's
Can you make a piece if I only have a small amount of ashes?
Yes. We use up to 50g, but we do not need that much. Small amounts are common, and they are what we work with most often for babies, for early loss, and for small pets. There is no amount too small to matter and no amount we would turn away.
If you are worried there is not enough, send what you have and we will tell you honestly what we can make with it. If it is not enough for the piece you had in mind, we will say so and suggest something that will work, rather than proceed and hope.
Your ashes are tagged with your loved one's name, order number and unique ID, and stay on their own tray throughout. Nothing is mixed with anyone else's, whatever the amount.
Can I have my Afterstone piece engraved?
Yes. Afterstone is the only ashes into stone company that offers engraving of its pieces, so this is something you can only have from us. Engraving is done by C02 laser, so the lettering is precise and permanent, and it will not wear off or rub away.
Engraving of pebbles and hearts is on the surface. Engraving of other pieces is into the bottom of the piece.
Most people choose a simple name and maybe a simple icon, like a heart. If you are not sure what to have or you are purchasing a set of pebbles where you can have multiple engravings, we'd be happy to help talk through the options.
The ash collection process
We will send you a collection kit.
This includes a small collection jar that will hold 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.
Please put the filled collection jar back into the collection box yand put the box into the pre-paid return packaging and seal it.
Then simply take it along to a post box or post office where it can be safely received and scanned in. The ashes are sent with 24-hr delivery, and Afterstone confirms receipt to you by phone or email to reassure you that they have arrived safely.
How we handle and track ashes, in line with SAIF, AGFD and FBCA standards
Our commitment to your loved one: Ash Handling & ID Tracking Process
Our processes are designed to meet the standards set by SAIF & AGFD and with reference to FBCA Codes of Practice for the management and handling of cremated remains. Further details are covered in 'safety guarantee', or for full details, click here
We take our responsibility to you and to your loved one or pet seriously at every stage.
Our safety guarantee and timeline
Your peace of mind is our highest priority. With a background in regulatory life sciences, we operate a strict, documented and auditable chain of custody. Your loved one's or pet's ashes on arrival are spoken to by name but additionally tracked by order code and special ID code.
We operate a single-tray policy – where the ashes are assigned a tray and never leave it until they are parcelled up for their safe return to you.
Because each Afterstone piece is individually made by hand (never batch-made), please allow 4-6 weeks from confirmed receipt of ashes by Afterstone.
How is the Afterstone cold-cast process different from kiln-fired ash stones?
Every other provider who creates pebbles from human or pet ashes fires their pieces in a kiln, using a clay base to create a ceramic pebble.
We do not. Your ashes are cold-cast at room temperature with ecological minerals and a bonder, then finished by hand.
That difference matters in three ways.
Your piece is highly durable and will not shatter. Clay and glass-based keepsakes can break if dropped.
Your piece is unique. Cold-casting sets the ashes visibly through the material, so the flecks and variations in your piece belong to your loved one and to no one else. Kiln-fired pebbles are often uniform white pebbles, as the ashes have been further refined.
The carbon footprint of an Afterstone piece is far lower. There is no kiln-firing, so there is no kiln running for hours at very high temperatures. That is one of the reasons we can make an Afterstone piece from £110 when kiln-fired pieces run into the thousands.
Whether you choose cold-cast or kiln-fired, you will receive a number of pebbles, typically 35 and upwards; if you choose cold-cast, you have a wider range of shape options to select from, including ones with practical purpose (vase, bowls, pots).
When will I get my Afterstone order?
We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Because each Afterstone piece is individually made by hand (never batch-made), please allow 4-6 weeks from confirmed receipt of ashes by Afterstone.
Where are your products manufactured?
Our products are manufactured by us in Devon, UK, in our Afterstone studio.
Will I get any unused ashes back?
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 much does shipping cost?
The shipping costs of your final piece are £11.25. Our shipping is based on weight, calculated at the checkout, so there are no hidden surprises.
