After my father died I made four custom urns to house his ashes. Really, the urns made themselves. As I meditated on his death, the urns formed easily under my hands. The experience was profound: a moving, tactile object of grief, remembrance and love. Each urn was toped with an object that was chosen by a family member as a representation of my father’s spirit.
 

A friend who had lost his mother asked me to make a vessel for her ashes. He shared stories about his mother and gave me photos to put in my studio while I made her urn. Again, the urn formed easily under my hands. 

The urn on the right/below was made for a mother who had lost her child. The urn was commissioned by a good friend who wanted to recognize and honor her friend in her grief.

The urn on the right was to house the ashes of a friend’s grandfather. He owned a pipe and cigarette holder manufacturer, only listened to chamber music and had a wicked sense of humor. I had leftover inlaid clay and decided to make a matching mug for his granddaughter because I thought he would get a kick out of it.

Making these vessels has been profoundly meaningful for me and I'd like to offer these services to anyone who has lost a loved one. I'm offering these custom urns on a donation basis. I'll accept whatever you feel is fair, in cash, trade, charitable gift to a meaningful organizations or otherwise.

If you are interested in collaborating on a vessel, email me at lake@radlands.la.