Dividing your Loved One's Ashes After Cremation

Deciding what to do with a loved one's ashes is hard, and you do not have to choose just one thing. Dividing the ashes lets several family members keep a part of them, or lets you combine more than one tribute. This guide explains why families divide ashes and the gentle ways to do it.

Quick answer: Ashes can be divided so more than one person can keep a portion, or so you can combine ideas, for example keeping some at home, wearing some in jewellery, and scattering or burying the rest. The main ways to divide ashes are ashes jewellery, keepsake urns, a portion in a water or land burial, and scattering tubes. There is no right or wrong split, and no time limit on deciding.

Why divide a loved one's ashes?

The most common reason is that more than one family member would like to keep a loved one close, finding comfort in knowing they are always nearby. Dividing ashes can help a family share that comfort and bring a sense of closure. Sometimes a loved one set out their wishes beforehand, verbally or in a will; other times the family decides together what feels right. Either way, dividing the ashes lets everyone take part.

Ashes jewellery

A piece of ashes jewellery holds a tiny portion in a discreet sealed chamber, so you can keep a loved one close wherever you go. It is especially meaningful for occasions they would have wanted to share, like a wedding or a christening. Our self-fill designs let you fill them at home.

Keepsake urns

A keepsake urn holds a small portion, perfect for sharing among family so each person can keep a tribute at home. You might choose matching keepsakes to symbolise a connection between them, or different designs to suit each person. They come in ceramic, metal, crystalline and biodegradable styles.

A portion in a water or land burial

You can return part of the ashes to nature without using all of them. A biodegradable urn lets you bury or release a portion in a meaningful place, on water for someone who loved the sea, or in the earth for someone who loved the outdoors, while keeping the rest.

Scattering tubes

A scattering tube makes it easy to scatter ashes cleanly, and to divide them across more than one location, or to keep some back for keepsakes and jewellery. You might scatter at a favorite place and keep a small portion at home.

You do not have to decide everything at once. For all the options in one place, see our hub on what to do with ashes after cremation.

Frequently asked questions

Is it okay to divide a loved one's ashes?

Yes. Many families divide ashes so several people can each keep a portion, or so they can combine tributes like keeping some at home and scattering the rest. There is no right or wrong way to do it.

How can I divide ashes between family members?

Common ways are ashes jewellery, keepsake urns, a portion in a biodegradable water or land burial urn, and scattering tubes. Matching keepsakes are popular when several relatives each want to keep a part.

Is there a time limit on deciding what to do with ashes?

No. There is no legal time limit on keeping ashes at home in the UK, so you can take as long as you need before deciding how to divide or use them.

Can I keep some ashes and scatter or bury the rest?

Yes, and many people do. You can keep a portion in a keepsake or jewellery and scatter or bury the remainder, so you always have a small part of your loved one close.