What Can You Put in a Memorial Pod?

7 meaningful materials you can preserve in cremation jewelry — beyond just ashes

Most people searching for cremation jewelry assume ashes are the only option. They're the most common choice, but they're far from the only one. At Lee Alexander & Co., our Signature Platinum Remembrance Pod can be filled with a small amount of almost any material that holds meaning — a lock of hair, a swatch of fabric, a pinch of soil from a meaningful place. If a physical trace of your loved one (or your pet) exists, there's a good chance it can be sealed into your piece.

Here's a closer look at the materials people choose most often, and why.

1. Ashes (Cremated Remains)

The most familiar choice, and still the most common. A small pinch of cremated remains — human or pet — is all that's needed to fill the Pod. Because the chamber is permanently laser-sealed, the ashes stay protected and undisturbed indefinitely, even in water. For most people, ashes feel like the most direct, physical connection to the person or pet they've lost.

2. Hair

A lock of hair is one of the oldest forms of memorial keepsake — mourning jewelry containing hair dates back centuries, long before cremation jewelry existed in its modern form. Hair is a meaningful option for those who didn't keep ashes, who lost someone before cremation took place, or who simply want a keepsake that existed while their loved one was alive rather than after.

3. Fur

For pet owners, a clipping of fur serves the same purpose hair does for a person — a small, tangible piece of a companion who was part of daily life for years. Our process for pet fur is identical to our process for human remains: a small amount, sealed permanently into the Pod.

4. Fabric or Clothing

A swatch cut from a favorite shirt, a baby blanket, a wedding dress, or a well-worn jacket carries its own kind of memory — sometimes even a scent or texture that ashes simply can't replicate. Fabric is a popular choice for people who want their piece to represent a specific relationship or moment, rather than loss itself.

5. Dried Flowers

Petals or small pieces from funeral flowers, a wedding bouquet, or blooms from a loved one's garden can be dried and preserved inside the Pod. It's an especially meaningful option for marking a specific event — a funeral, a wedding, an anniversary — rather than a person's remains alone.

6. Soil or Earth

A pinch of soil from a gravesite, a family property, a childhood home, or anywhere that held significance can be preserved the same way ashes are. Some people choose this specifically because it connects them to a place, not just a person — a way of carrying a piece of "home" with them.

7. Sand

Sand from a wedding destination, a favorite beach, or a place a loved one asked to have their ashes scattered is another option people choose — often alongside ashes, when a portion was scattered somewhere meaningful and the sand itself becomes part of the memory.

How Much Material Do You Need?

Regardless of which material you choose, the answer is the same: just a pinch. Once you place your order, we mail a Keepsake Preparation Kit containing a small protective jar, detailed instructions, and a prepaid, insured return label. You transfer a small amount of your chosen material into the jar at home, mail it back, and we handle the rest — filling and permanently laser-sealing your Signature Platinum Remembrance Pod.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need ashes to order cremation jewelry?

No. While ashes are the most common material, we also work with hair, fur, fabric, dried flowers, soil, and sand. If you're not sure whether your material is a good fit, reach out and we'll walk you through it.

Can I use my pet's ashes or fur?

Yes. Our process is identical for pets and people — a small amount of either material is all that's needed.

What if the material is delicate, like dried flowers or fabric?

Our design specialists can advise on the best way to prepare delicate materials before they're placed in the kit. Contact us before you begin if you'd like guidance specific to your material.

Can I combine more than one material in a single piece?

Every situation is a little different, and options can depend on the piece you've chosen. Speak with a design specialist about combining materials before placing your order.

Choosing What's Right for You

There's no single "correct" material — only the one that feels most like the person, pet, or moment you want to carry with you. Whether that's ashes, a lock of hair, or a scrap of fabric worn a thousand times, the goal is the same: something small, permanent, and close.

If you're not sure what to choose, our specialists are happy to help. Reach us at (800) 291-7917, through our contact page, or by booking a virtual appointment.