There’s a particular kind of quiet that follows cremation. The arrangements are done, the calls slow down, and then you’re left with decisions that don’t feel “urgent” in the paperwork sense—but are deeply personal. Families often tell us the same thing in different words: We just want something that feels right. Something that protects what matters. Something you won’t have to worry about every day.
That’s why questions about cremation jewelry—especially metal choices—come up so often. An ashes necklace isn’t only about style. It’s about skin sensitivity, how hard you are on your jewelry, whether you shower in it, if you want it to last for decades, and how confidently you can seal it. And it’s also connected to bigger choices: keeping ashes at home, sharing a portion in keepsake urns, choosing small cremation urns, or planning something like water burial or scattering at sea.
Cremation is also simply more common than it used to be, which means more families are navigating these same decisions. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025, compared to 31.6% for burial. According to the Cremation Association of North America, the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024, with continued growth projected in coming years.
If you’re here because you’re deciding between a stainless steel piece, sterling silver, gold, or a plated option, this guide will walk you through what each metal really means for daily life—then connect that choice back to the practical planning questions families face.
Why metal choice matters more than you expect
When people search what metals are cremation jewelry made of, they’re usually looking for reassurance. They want to know that the piece won’t tarnish into something sad-looking. That it won’t irritate their skin. That the little compartment holding the ashes is reliable. That they can wear it without constantly checking the clasp like they’re guarding something fragile.
A helpful way to think about metal is this: the metal isn’t just “the look.” It’s the long-term maintenance plan you’re choosing—whether you mean to or not. It affects durability, weight, scratch resistance, how often you’ll clean it, and whether the finish will change over time.
And while jewelry can hold only a small amount of cremated remains, many families use it as part of a bigger memorial plan: an urn at home plus a necklace for daily closeness; or a family-sharing approach using keepsake urns and a pendant; or a pet memorial pairing a small pet urn with a charm. If you want to browse options while you read, Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry collection and cremation necklaces are good starting points for comparing styles and materials side by side.
Stainless steel cremation jewelry: the everyday workhorse
If you’re looking at a stainless steel urn necklace because you want something you can wear without fuss, you’re not alone. Stainless steel is popular for a reason: it’s durable, relatively scratch-resistant compared to softer precious metals, and it typically holds up well to sweat, humidity, and daily wear.
For many families, stainless steel is the “I need this to be simple” choice. If you’re commuting, parenting, traveling, or you just don’t want the emotional burden of caring for something delicate, stainless steel is often the calmest option.
A few practical notes:
- Stainless steel can still contain nickel depending on the alloy, and sensitivity varies by person. Nickel is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis. The American Academy of Dermatology estimates more than 18% of people in North America are allergic to nickel.
- “Surgical” or “316L” stainless steel is often discussed as a better option for sensitive wearers, but the real-world answer is still individual—some people with severe nickel allergies need to avoid any nickel-containing alloy entirely.
If you want low-maintenance, stainless steel is often the most forgiving material. It also tends to be budget-friendly—something that matters when you’re balancing memorial choices alongside funeral planning and overall cremation expenses.
Sterling silver cremation jewelry: classic beauty with real maintenance
Sterling silver cremation jewelry is often chosen for its warmth and tradition. It feels like “real jewelry” in a way that can be emotionally meaningful—especially if your loved one wore silver, or if you want something that matches your everyday style.
But sterling silver has a truth families deserve to hear upfront: it can tarnish. Sterling is an alloy (not pure silver), and the standard “925” composition—often marked with a “925” stamp—means it’s 92.5% silver (with the remaining percentage made up of other metals for strength). For a quick explanation of the hallmark, see Southern Living’s guide to identifying real silver.
Tarnish doesn’t mean the piece is failing or low quality; it’s simply a reality of how silver reacts with air, moisture, and everyday chemicals.
Sterling silver can be wonderful if you don’t mind occasional cleaning and gentle polishing, you prefer a softer, more traditional look, and you like the option to restore shine over time. If you’re the kind of person who will worry every time you wash your hands or apply lotion, sterling might feel like too much. But if you like the ritual of care—and the way silver develops a story as it’s worn—it can be a meaningful choice.
To compare styles in sterling and steel, you can browse Funeral.com’s cremation necklaces and filter by look and finish.
Gold cremation jewelry: long-term wear, but know what “gold” means
When families ask about a gold memorial pendant ashes piece, they’re often thinking about permanence. Gold carries a kind of emotional weight: heirloom potential, “forever” symbolism, and the idea that this could be something passed down.
The key is understanding karats. Most wearable gold jewelry is alloyed for strength. For example, many 14k gold pieces are stamped “585,” meaning the piece is 58.5% pure gold, with the rest made of other metals to improve durability. Higher karat gold (like 18k) is more pure but typically softer and more prone to scratching than 14k.
If you’re considering gold, think in practical terms: 14k gold is a popular balance of durability and “real gold” value; if you have metal allergies, ask about the alloy mix (white gold, in particular, can contain metals that bother sensitive skin—varies by maker); and remember that gold can be a strong choice for everyday wear, but it’s not indestructible—chains can still break if tugged.
Plated cremation jewelry: affordable, but be realistic about lifespan
Plated jewelry exists for a reason: families want options at different price points, and sometimes you need a piece quickly—especially when you’re in the middle of arrangements or traveling for services.
Plated pieces can look beautiful at first. The trade-off is that plating can wear down over time, especially with constant friction (like a pendant that rubs against clothing, zippers, or seatbelts). If the base metal underneath contains nickel and you’re sensitive, a worn spot can become a skin irritation trigger.
Plated pieces can make sense if you don’t plan to wear it daily, you want a “special occasions” memorial, or you’re testing whether jewelry feels right before investing in a higher-end piece.
If you want a more durable share-and-wear approach, some families pair a plated (or fashion-style) necklace with keepsake urns for ashes-sharing at home. Funeral.com’s keepsake cremation urns for ashes and small cremation urns for ashes collections are designed for exactly that kind of “together but shared” memorial plan.
Hypoallergenic considerations: what sensitive skin families should know
If you’re searching hypoallergenic cremation jewelry, you may already know you react to some metals. Or you may be buying for someone else—maybe a teen, a parent, or a sibling who wants to wear a piece close to the skin every day.
Here’s the simple truth: nickel is a common problem metal, and it shows up in more places than people expect. The American Academy of Dermatology notes nickel is a common cause of allergic contact dermatitis, and their guidance focuses on minimizing exposure.
If sensitivity is a concern, prioritize clear material listings (not vague “alloy” descriptions), a style you can wear over clothing if needed, and a piece you won’t need to remove constantly (because frequent handling increases chances of loosening closures).
And remember: some families choose to wear the jewelry only on meaningful days and keep ashes primarily in an urn at home. If that’s you, Funeral.com’s guide to keeping ashes at home is a gentle, practical read that covers placement, safety, and family conversations.
Sealing and closure: what actually keeps ashes secure
Search terms like cremation jewelry sealing screw show up because families are trying to avoid one fear: What if it opens? That fear is valid, and it’s worth addressing calmly.
Most fillable cremation necklaces use a threaded screw closure (often hidden) with a small inner compartment. Some styles include a gasket or tighter threading; others rely on the precision of the screw itself. The best everyday advice is simple: fill and seal the piece slowly, in good light, on a clean surface; don’t overfill (less is safer and easier to seal cleanly); if your piece recommends a sealant, use it sparingly and let it cure fully before wearing; and re-check the closure occasionally—especially after travel or a day of physical activity.
If you want the bigger picture of how jewelry fits into a memorial plan—alongside urns, travel, scattering, and pets—Funeral.com’s journal guide on how to choose a cremation urn that fits your plans ties it together in a way many families find reassuring.
Everyday wear: showering, sleeping, exercise, and travel
When you’re grieving, the last thing you need is a piece that turns into a daily stressor. So it helps to match the metal to your actual life.
Stainless steel tends to be the most “wear-it-and-forget-it” option. Sterling silver often wants a little more care and may tarnish faster if exposed to humidity, sweat, or chemicals. Gold can be a great everyday choice, but chains and delicate parts still deserve respect—especially if you sleep in jewelry or work with your hands.
If you travel with cremated remains (or with a keepsake urn), it’s also worth reading up on the practical side of screening and documentation. Many families keep ashes primarily in an urn and wear jewelry as a secondary memorial. If that’s your plan, knowing the right urn size helps too—Funeral.com’s urn size calculator guide is one of those resources you’ll be glad you found before you buy.
How jewelry fits into “what to do with ashes” decisions
Sometimes the biggest relief is realizing you don’t have to choose one path. Families often combine: a home urn for the full remains (cremation urns for ashes), one or more keepsake urns for sharing with siblings, one piece of cremation jewelry for daily closeness, and a scattering or ceremony plan for a portion of ashes later.
If you’re exploring ceremonial options like water burial or scattering at sea, Funeral.com has thoughtful resources that walk through what families need to know and how to plan respectfully, including water burial ceremony guidance and practical information on scattering ashes at sea. Those choices often pair naturally with biodegradable urn options, while jewelry remains a “keep close” memorial for everyday life.
And if you’re honoring a pet, the same layered approach can be incredibly comforting. Funeral.com’s pet cremation urns for ashes, pet figurine cremation urns for ashes, and pet keepsake cremation urns for ashes collections are built around the reality that pet grief is real grief—and families often want something tangible that reflects a pet’s personality, not just a generic container.
Cost context: choosing materials without financial pressure
Even when a family isn’t “budget shopping,” cost has a way of sitting in the room during memorial decisions. People also search how much does cremation cost because they’re trying to understand what’s normal—and what’s optional.
On the big-picture side, the National Funeral Directors Association reports the national median cost of a funeral with cremation was $6,280 in 2023 (with viewing and services), compared to $8,300 for burial with viewing. That doesn’t mean your cost will match that number—local pricing varies widely, and direct cremation can be lower—but it does show why families often look for memorial options that feel meaningful without adding stress.
If you want an easier, family-friendly breakdown (and how urns and jewelry fit into the total), Funeral.com’s guide to how much does cremation cost is written for exactly this moment: when you want clarity, not jargon.
A simple care routine to keep ashes jewelry clean and safe
If you’re searching cremation jewelry care cleaning, you’re already doing the most important thing: thinking ahead. Here’s a simple routine that fits most metal types without turning into a project.
Wipe your piece gently with a soft, dry cloth after wear—especially if you’ve been sweating or wearing lotion/perfume. Store it somewhere dry. If it’s sterling silver, occasional polishing is normal. If it’s stainless steel, mild soap and water (followed by thorough drying) is usually enough. For gold, gentle cleaning and careful storage go a long way.
The emotional part matters too: caring for the piece can feel like caring for the memory. But the goal is never perfection. The goal is confidence—knowing your memorial is secure and suited to your life.
