The question usually comes out in a whisper at the arrangement table, or in a late-night text to a sibling: “Can Dad be cremated with his wedding ring on?” Sometimes it’s more urgent: “Grandma had a pacemaker—does that change anything?” When grief is fresh, details like jewelry, implants, and personal items can feel strangely important. They’re not “things” so much as touchstones—proof of a life, a style, a habit, a love.
At the same time, cremation is a highly regulated, safety-focused process. It’s also increasingly common. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to reach 63.4% in 2025, more than double the projected burial rate. That shift means more families are facing the same practical questions—often while still feeling emotionally unprepared to make decisions.
This guide is meant to offer calm clarity. You’ll learn what truly can’t be cremated, why certain items must be removed, what typically happens to metals and valuables, and how to plan for memorial options like cremation urns, cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, and cremation jewelry after the cremation is complete.
Why some items can’t go into the cremation chamber
Cremation happens at very high temperatures inside a cremation chamber. Most of what families picture—soft fabrics, flowers, paper letters—are not the issue. The real concern is safety: items that can explode, release hazardous materials, or damage equipment. Funeral homes and crematories are not trying to be strict for the sake of being strict; they’re trying to keep staff safe and ensure the process remains dignified and controlled.
Battery-powered and pressurized devices are the biggest “no”
If you remember only one rule, remember this: anything with a battery or pressurized component is typically a problem in cremation. That includes pacemakers and many implanted cardiac devices, but it can also include other implants with power sources or pressure elements.
The Royal College of Pathologists notes that some implantable medical devices are considered “hazardous implants” because they may damage cremation equipment or cause harm to crematorium staff if not removed before cremation. Their guidance lists examples such as pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), implantable loop recorders, ventricular assist devices, and “any other battery powered or pressurised implant.”
In everyday terms, this is why funeral homes will ask (often multiple times) whether your loved one had a pacemaker or similar device. It’s not to pry. It’s to prevent a dangerous situation. If you’re unsure, say so—medical records, the attending physician, or the family’s memory can usually clarify what’s present. Sometimes the implant is discovered late, and the cremation must be delayed until it’s safely removed. That delay can feel frustrating, but it’s meant to prevent a sudden accident in a space that is otherwise carefully controlled.
Some implants don’t prevent cremation, but they’re handled afterward
Not every medical implant is a “hazardous implant.” Many orthopedic implants (like hip or knee replacements), dental work, and surgical pins or plates are made of metals that do not explode. These items may remain after cremation and are typically separated out afterward as part of standard processing. Policies vary by provider and region, but this is a normal part of what happens after a cremation cycle: non-combustible materials are removed before the cremated remains are prepared for return to the family.
If your family has hopes of creating a keepsake from metal afterward, ask directly what the crematory’s policy is. Some facilities participate in recycling programs for recovered metals; others handle them differently. The point isn’t to create a “yes” or “no” answer ahead of time—it’s to make sure your expectations match the provider’s process, and to document your wishes clearly in the cremation authorization form.
Jewelry during cremation: can you be cremated with jewelry on?
This is where emotion and logistics collide. Families often ask, can you be cremated with jewelry on, because jewelry can feel like part of the person. A wedding band, a signet ring, a small cross necklace—these can feel more personal than anything else in the room.
In practice, most funeral homes treat jewelry as a valuable that should be removed and returned to the family unless the family gives explicit written permission to do otherwise. If your loved one had jewelry on at the time of death, the funeral home may inventory it, store it securely, and ask for instructions. Many providers will recommend removal because even if metal doesn’t “burn,” it can discolor, warp, or become unrecognizable in the cremation environment.
So, what happens to rings during cremation if they stay on? The honest answer is: results vary, and it may not come back in a condition you expect. Metals can deform, solder points can fail, stones can crack or cloud, and clasps can melt. Even if the ring remains “there,” it may not remain as the ring you knew. If preserving the item matters, it’s usually better to remove it before cremation and either keep it as a family heirloom or incorporate it into another memorial plan.
If you want an item cremated with them, ask what’s permitted and get it in writing
Families sometimes choose to include a small, meaningful item—something that feels more like a message than a possession. Many crematories allow certain items placed with the person in a combustible container, but the list of items allowed in cremation can vary. If you’re considering this, the best path is gentle and direct: tell the funeral director what the item is, why it matters, and ask whether it’s permitted. If it is, ask how it should be placed, and confirm that it’s documented on the authorization paperwork.
Just as important: if the item is not permitted, it’s not a moral judgment. It’s usually a safety or equipment issue, or a concern about emissions. In that case, many families pivot to a different kind of keepsake—one that keeps the meaning without introducing risk.
Common personal items families ask about
Because cremation feels unfamiliar to many people, questions tend to cluster around the same items. Families wonder about photographs, letters, blankets, stuffed animals, religious items, and even everyday objects like glasses or a favorite watch.
In general, soft, combustible items are more likely to be permitted, while anything with batteries, electronics, pressurized components, or unknown materials is more likely to be prohibited. Watches, phones, vape pens, lighters, and anything that could pop or explode are usually part of the cremation prohibited items category. The same caution often applies to certain medical items that contain batteries or pressurized elements, and to radioactive implants (which require special handling).
If you’re trying to decide what to include, it can help to treat the cremation chamber like a high-heat environment where only predictable, burnable materials belong. When in doubt, ask. Funeral directors are used to these questions, and a clear answer can prevent regret later.
What happens during cremation, and why metals and valuables are treated carefully
Families often want to understand what happens “inside” the process, not out of curiosity, but because the unknown can feel frightening. While details vary, cremation typically begins with a combustible container. The cremation chamber is designed for high heat and controlled airflow. After the cremation cycle, remaining non-combustible materials (such as certain metals) are separated. Then the remaining bone fragments are processed into what we commonly call ashes or cremated remains.
This is also why valuables are treated as a separate issue. If jewelry stays with the person, it may be affected by heat and become difficult to identify later. If jewelry is removed and documented, the chain of custody is clearer, and the family’s wishes are easier to honor. If you’re worried about a specific item—something small that could be misplaced—ask how the funeral home documents valuables and what their secure handling policy looks like before you sign anything.
After cremation: what to do with ashes, keepsakes, and memorial choices
Once the cremation is complete, many families feel a second wave of questions: what to do with ashes, how to choose an urn, whether to scatter, and whether it’s okay to keep the ashes close at home for a while. This is also where the conversation about “items” shifts from what can’t go into the chamber to what you can do afterward to create meaning.
For families who want a classic, lasting memorial at home, starting with cremation urns for ashes can feel grounding. Funeral.com’s Cremation Urns for Ashes collection spans materials and styles so families can choose something that feels like the person, not just a container. If you’re comparing options based on plans—home display, burial, scattering, or travel—Funeral.com’s Journal guide How to Choose a Cremation Urn That Fits Your Plans walks through those scenarios in plain language.
When families plan to share ashes among siblings, adult children, or close friends, small cremation urns and keepsake urns are often the gentle solution. A portion can stay in a primary urn, while smaller vessels allow multiple people to keep a meaningful amount without turning the decision into a conflict. Funeral.com offers Small Cremation Urns for Ashes and Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes designed specifically for these “sharing” plans.
For some families, the most comforting memorial is wearable. Cremation jewelry—including cremation necklaces—holds a very small portion of ashes in a sealed compartment, allowing someone to carry that connection into everyday life. If your family is considering this option, the Cremation Jewelry collection and Cremation Necklaces collection provide a range of styles, while the Journal guide Cremation Jewelry Guide: Best Necklace Styles, Materials, Filling Tips can help you compare materials, closures, and everyday-wear expectations.
If your plan includes keeping ashes at home, you’re not alone. Many families keep ashes at home temporarily while decisions settle, or permanently as part of a memorial corner. Funeral.com’s guide Keeping Ashes at Home: How to Do It Safely, Respectfully, and Legally offers practical advice on placement, safety, and navigating different comfort levels among relatives. This can be especially helpful if some family members feel soothed by closeness while others feel uneasy—both reactions are normal.
And for families drawn to nature-forward ceremonies, water burial can be meaningful—especially when paired with biodegradable options and clear planning. Funeral.com’s guide Understanding What Happens During a Water Burial Ceremony explains what families can expect. If you’re planning an ocean burial in U.S. waters, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines federal conditions under the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act (including the general rule that burial at sea must occur at least three nautical miles from shore, and that the general permit applies to human remains under specified conditions).
Pet cremation questions: jewelry, implants, and the memorial that comes after
When the loss is a pet, the questions are similar but often more tender. Families ask whether a collar tag can stay, whether a favorite blanket can be included, and what kind of urn will feel like “them.” The same safety logic applies: anything with batteries or electronics should not go into the chamber, and anything that could create an unpredictable reaction should be discussed with the provider.
When you’re ready to choose memorials, pet-specific options can make the next step feel less clinical and more personal. Funeral.com offers pet urns and pet urns for ashes through the Pet Cremation Urns for Ashes collection, including styles that work for different sizes and home spaces. Some families prefer artful designs that capture personality, like Pet Figurine Cremation Urns for Ashes. Others want to share ashes among household members or keep a small portion close, which is where Pet Keepsake Cremation Urns for Ashes can help.
If you want guidance that feels like a conversation rather than a checklist, Funeral.com’s Journal article Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide for Dog and Cat Owners walks through sizing, styles, and personalization options with the kind of gentleness pet loss deserves.
Funeral planning: what to ask before you sign the cremation authorization form
Good funeral planning doesn’t mean making everything perfect. It means asking a few questions now so you don’t carry unanswered worries later. The cremation authorization form is where preferences become instructions—especially around jewelry, implants, and what happens to valuables.
- Which items must be removed for safety (especially any cremation implants pacemaker or other battery-powered devices), and who removes them?
- How does the funeral home document and secure jewelry and valuables, and when will they be returned?
- If the family wants an item to stay with the person, is it permitted, and how will it be recorded in writing?
- What is the crematory’s policy for metals recovered after cremation (including medical implants), and do they participate in recycling programs?
- If you plan to travel with ashes later, what container materials are most likely to pass security screening?
- How does the provider explain costs—what is required, what is optional, and how do memorial items fit into the total?
That last question matters more than families expect. People often Google how much does cremation cost because they’re trying to protect their family financially while still doing something meaningful. Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost? Average Prices and Budget-Friendly Options breaks down common price ranges and what tends to be included, so you can compare options without feeling pressured.
If your plans include flying with ashes—whether to bring someone home, to scatter in a meaningful place, or to gather family in one location—know that screening rules can affect which urn is practical. The Transportation Security Administration notes that cremated remains must be screened, and that TSA officers will not open the container; they recommend using a container made of a lighter-weight material that allows screening. Funeral.com’s Journal guide Flying With Cremated Remains: TSA Rules, Airline Tips, and Travel-Friendly Urns can help you plan travel in a way that feels respectful and low-stress.
A final reassurance
When families ask what can’t be cremated, they’re rarely asking for rules alone. They’re asking for reassurance: that they won’t accidentally do something wrong, that their loved one will be treated with dignity, and that the last details will be handled with care.
The most compassionate truth is this: you don’t need to memorize every restriction. You only need a few anchors. Battery-powered and pressurized devices should be identified so they can be removed safely. Jewelry and valuables should be discussed and documented so your family’s wishes are honored. And when the cremation is complete, you have real choices—cremation urns for home, keepsake urns for sharing, cremation jewelry for closeness, and thoughtful plans for keeping ashes at home, scattering, or water burial.
If you’re ready to explore options at your own pace, Funeral.com’s collections for cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, pet urns for ashes, pet cremation urns, and cremation necklaces are there whenever your family is ready—no rush, no pressure, just practical paths forward.
