The Comfort of Keeping a Loved One Close with Memorial Jewellery
The festive season is often described as a time of joy, family gatherings, and celebration. Yet for many people, Christmas and the New Year can be some of the most painful weeks of the year. When you are grieving the loss of a loved one – whether a parent, partner, child, friend, or a much‑loved pet – the contrast between your inner world and the festive atmosphere around you can feel overwhelming.
Memorial jewellery can offer a gentle, tangible way to stay connected to the person or pet you miss, especially during the holidays. At Ashes by Victoria, each piece is handmade with care, using ashes fused in glass to create unique memorial jewellery that can be worn and cherished every day.
Why Grief Feels Different at Christmas
The festive period is full of traditions, routines, and family rituals. When someone special is missing, those familiar moments can become painful reminders of their absence.
Common experiences at this time of year include:
· Feeling out of step with others who seem happy and excited
· Guilt about not feeling “festive enough”
· A heightened sense of loneliness, even in a crowded room
· Anxiety about family gatherings or social events
· Fresh waves of grief, even if some time has passed since the loss
These feelings are a natural part of grieving. There is no right or wrong way to experience the festive season after a bereavement. For some people, choosing a simple, everyday piece like the Purity necklace can be a gentle first step in finding comfort.
The Comfort of Keeping a Loved One Close
Memorial jewellery offers a way to carry your loved one with you, quietly and personally, through the festive period.
Some of the ways it can help include:
· A sense of closeness: Wearing a ring, pendant, or bracelet containing ashes can bring comfort when you are facing difficult days or emotional moments.
· A private ritual: Putting on your memorial jewellery each morning can become a small, meaningful ritual that acknowledges your grief and your ongoing bond.
· A way to honour their memory: Memorial jewellery can be a subtle way to include your loved one in festive traditions, from family dinners to winter walks.
· Support when words are hard: When it feels too painful to talk about your loss, simply holding or touching a piece of jewellery can be a quiet source of strength.
A memorial ring, such as the Cwtch ring, can become a daily reminder that your loved one is still close to your hand and your heart. For those who prefer something close to the heart, a delicate pendant like the Sprit Heart offers a quiet, personal way to carry ashes with you.
Memorial Jewellery for Pet Loss at Christmas
The grief we feel after losing a pet is very real. Dogs, cats, horses, and other animals become part of the family, and their absence is often felt most strongly in the everyday routines that surround the festive period.
You might notice:
· The empty space where their stocking once hung
· No paws padding around the kitchen on Christmas morning
· No excited welcome when you come home from winter outings
Memorial jewellery created with pet ashes can help honour that unique bond. Whether it is a pendant containing your dog’s ashes, a ring in memory of a cat who always curled up by the tree, or a piece made with horse hair or ashes to remember a much‑loved horse, these items can:
· Keep your pet’s memory physically close
· Offer comfort on long winter evenings
· Become part of your personal way of remembering them each year
If you are remembering a much‑loved dog or cat, a subtle pair of the Whisper Heart Stud earrings can feel like a small, private tribute you can wear every day. For winter walks or time outdoors, a secure and comfortable option such as the Unite bracelet can be a reassuring way to keep your pet’s ashes with you.
Creating New Traditions with Memorial Jewellery
When old traditions feel too painful, it can help to gently create new ones. Memorial jewellery can play a meaningful role in this.
Some ideas include:
· Lighting a candle while wearing your memorial piece on Christmas Eve or another significant day
· Setting a place at the table symbolically by placing your jewellery near a photograph or keepsake
· Taking a quiet winter walk and holding your pendant or ring when you need a moment of connection
· Sharing matching pieces within the family, so children, siblings, or partners each have their own way to remember the same loved one
Some families choose coordinating pieces – for example, the Solo ring for one person and a Pebble necklace or Vital Charm Bead for others – so everyone has their own way to feel connected. The glass stone colour could match representing the person within or they could be different for each recipient.
Why Choose Ashes Fused in Glass Instead of Resin
Many people first come across resin memorial jewellery, but ashes fused in glass offers some important benefits, especially for a piece you hope to wear for many years.
· Long‑lasting clarity: Glass does not yellow or fade over time in the way that resin can.
· Unique character: Each glass stone is individually created, meaning no two pieces are ever the same.
· Crafted by a jeweller: At Ashes by Victoria, every item is handmade in sterling silver or gold, with careful attention to detail.
· Suitable for both human and pet ashes: The same respectful process is used whether the ashes belong to a person or a beloved animal.
Each glass stone is individually created, so no two are ever the same.
Choosing memorial jewellery is a deeply personal decision. Understanding the differences in materials can help you feel confident that your piece will remain beautiful and meaningful for years to come.
Choosing the Right Piece for You and Your Family
There is no single “right” way to remember someone you have lost. The most important thing is finding something that feels comforting and authentic to you.
You might like to consider:
· How you prefer to wear jewellery: Do you wear rings every day, or would a necklace feel more natural?
· Who the piece is for: A simple pendant might be ideal for a child or teenager, while a more detailed ring or bangle may suit an adult.
· Whether you would like matching or coordinating pieces: Some families choose a set of designs so that everyone can feel connected to the same person or pet.
· Your existing jewellery style: Memorial jewellery can be designed to sit comfortably alongside pieces you already love.
If you love wearing rings, the Cwtch ring offers a comforting, tactile way to feel your loved one’s presence throughout the day or the Inlay ring is practical and easy to wear. If you prefer something close to your heart, the Purity necklace is a simple, elegant choice that sits comfortably with your existing jewellery. For those who like something very subtle, Purity stud earrings or the Whisper Heart studs are a beautiful option that can be worn every day without drawing attention. If you want a piece you can see and touch easily, the Joy Filled bracelet allows you to glance down and feel that connection whenever you need it.
If you are unsure, it can help to start with one special piece for yourself and then add others for family members over time.
Giving Memorial Jewellery as a Festive Gift
Choosing memorial jewellery as a gift requires sensitivity, but it can also be a deeply thoughtful gesture.
Before deciding, you may want to think about:
· Whether the person has expressed interest in memorial jewellery
· Where they are in their grief journey
· Whether they might appreciate being involved in the design or choice
Some people prefer to receive a gift voucher or a promise to design a piece together in the New Year, rather than opening a finished piece on a day that may already feel emotionally charged.
You might choose an Adore necklace or Bond bracelet as a thoughtful gift for a partner. An Embrace ring can make a particularly meaningful gift when you know someone would like to feel that sense of being “held” in their grief with a bit of sparkle.
Being Gentle with Yourself This Festive Season
If you are reading this because you are grieving – whether for a person or a pet – it is important to remember that you are allowed to move at your own pace.
It is okay to:
· Step back from certain events or traditions
· Say no to invitations that feel too difficult
· Create quiet moments of remembrance in the middle of a busy season
· Seek comfort in small, tangible things, like a piece of jewellery that helps you feel close to the one you miss
Memorial jewellery will not take away the pain of loss, but it can offer a steady, gentle reminder that love continues. Over time, many people find that these pieces become treasured parts of their everyday lives, not just their festive traditions.
If you would like to explore a memorial piece for yourself or someone you care about, Ashes by Victoria offers handmade designs in sterling silver and gold, created with ashes fused in glass for a lasting, personal tribute – for both human and pet loss.
I wish you happiness the Christmas.
Victoria x