ashen urn by louie rigano from usa

The archetypal urn form has served an integral role in the ritual of death throughout history. Introduced by the Ancient Greeks, traditional amphora-shaped urns were used to store oil for anointing dead bodies. They later took on the role of holding ashes when cremation became increasingly widespread. This iconic form is captured in Ashen Urn, but instead of serving as the container of a loved one's ashes, it becomes them. These remains are mixed with clear resin, which encapsulates the ashes in suspension, and poured into a mold to cure. This inverted design liberates the cremation urn from it's customary function, allowing it to become an active vessel. It can be used to hold the loved one's most prized earthly possessions: a wedding band, gold watch, and other keepsake ephemera. It can be filled with the deceased's favorite flowers to become a verdant vessel harboring radiant tulips or orchids, and in this way, can play an active role in mourning, grief, and remembrance.