Turn your loved one's ashes into art, thanks to creative containers for cremains

<strong>Staying in sight</strong><br> Many traditional urns, in metal or wood, conceal cremains. But in the $330 "Memory Glass," some remains are seen as streaks of white ash. It's among the offerings at InEternia, started last fall by Michelle and Brad Bailey, who were looking for a business to run from their North Seattle home after having a second child. They say many people have relatives' remains in the original plain boxes because they haven't been comfortable thinking about them. "Our goal is to get these boxes of ashes out of the closet," said Brad Bailey. "People could be surrounded by art objects that represent and contain their heritage." <a href="http://www.funeral-urn.com/">www.funeral-urn.com</a>. (INETERNIA)

Would you spend eternity in a cigar? Would you keep a loved one in a motorcycle gas tank? Display her in a graceful glass statue, place her in Puget Sound in a paper pillow or mix her into the paint on her very own portrait?

Call it thinking outside the urn. As cremation grows in popularity, the somber dark urns of the past are giving way to an increasing variety of artistic creations of glass, metal, wood and ceramic.

There's no need to wait for heaven's call. Many are being marketed to a younger audience as objects to enjoy in this life before reposing in them in the next. And Washington, where nearly two-thirds of those who die are cremated, is fertile ground for this ever-expanding array.

For a quick look at some of the more imaginative cremation options available, check out the photos.

Photos courtesy Funeria, Everlasting Memories and InEternia

<strong>Holy smoke</strong><br> A cigar humidor in this life, a place of rest in the next. "La Vida Buena" (The Good Life) is a 29-inch tube of cedar, paper and gold leaf by Michael Creed of Virginia. It's also a $4,500 conversation starter at Art Honors Life, a newly opened Sonoma County art gallery specifically showcasing cremation vessels; <a href="http://www.funeria.com/" target="new">www.funeria.com</a>.
<strong>Underworld figure</strong><br> "Anubis," the Egyptian jackal-headed god of the dead, was the "People's Choice" winner at a November art show in Philadelphia with more than 300 cremation containers. Made by Pennsylvania artist Jack Thompson of painted ceramic, it's 16 inches tall and sells for $1,800; <a href="http://www.funeria.com/" target="">www.funeria.com</a>. Michael Monroe, executive director of the Bellevue Arts Museum, was the lead juror for the Philadelphia exhibit. "When I first got the invitation, it was a little disconcerting thinking what these are used for. But once I got reviewing these pieces, particularly some I could identify with, I gained a sense of calm and peacefulness." Monroe felt closest to ones made from paper, which disintegrate underground, returning their occupants to the earth.
<strong>Preserved in paint</strong><br> "Some people start out feeling it's kinda spooky, but when they think about it, it turns totally positive," said Neil Helmkay of Flint, Mich., who last year started mixing cremated remains in oil paintings of the departed. "We bring them to life as much as possible," Helmkay said. "You can walk up to a portrait and say that's your mother &#8212; and it really is your mother." Starting at $1,599 at <a href="http://www.ashestoportraits.com/" target="ashestoportraits">www.ashestoportraits.com</a>. (ASHES TO PORTRAITS)
<strong>Biker heaven</strong><br> "Born to Ride" gas tanks are among the latest in a category of urn that depicts a favorite hobby of the person inside. The full-size one is $439, but it's also offered in a smaller "keepsake" size for $299 that could allow several members of the family to keep some of the remains; <a href="http://www.evrmemories.com/" target="evrmemories">www.evrmemories.com</a>.
<strong>Bold new looks</strong><br> "Strong Women Urn 10" is one of a series by glass artist Steve Sizelove of Indiana that brings color and style to the final resting place; $959 at <a href="http://www.funeral-urn.com/" target="funeral-urn">www.funeral-urn.com</a>. (INETERNIA)
<strong>Double use</strong><br> "The Haven" reflects the growing trend of containers that become keepsakes after the remains are scattered. The $320 cedar-and-cast aluminum birdhouse comes with a paper heart embedded with forget-me-not seeds for the garden; <a href="http://www.funeral-urn.com/" target="funeral-urn">www.funeral-urn.com</a>. (INETERNIA)
<strong>Final pillow</strong><br> Scattering remains at sea isn't new, but this may make it a little easier. The "Journey Earthurn" is made of paper from the renewable bark of a mulberry tree. Dropped into water, it floats for a few moments, then slowly sinks and eventually dissolves. It's about 1 foot square and 3 inches thick. Available for $89 from Seattle-based InEternia: <a href="http://www.funeral-urn.com/" target="funeral-urn">www.funeral-urn.com</a>
<strong>Wheel of life</strong><br> Bellingham artist Chris Moench hadn't thought about using his ceramic "prayer wheels" as cremation containers until a couple who purchased one at a 2003 charity auction told him that was their plan. "I was quite surprised, but really honored." Now he makes a variety just for that purpose, $250 to more than $4,000. "Salmon Abundant Return," shown, is $1,100 at <a href="http://www.funeria.com/" target="funeria">www.funeria.com</a>.