Farewell and grief, we are all confronted with it, and everyone deals with it in their own way. As farewell photographer, I have had the privilege of witnessing this up close many times. The loss of a loved one remains felt throughout life, and it is truly special to be able to support people in this process, in any way possible. While taking photos, I focus on love, both in the images and in the conversations I have with people. After all, sorrow stems from the love that exists.
I absolutely love making ceramics, but initially, I felt a lack of deeper meaning in it. I didn’t just want to make people happy with something beautiful, but also help them, contribute when someone is going through a tough time. Soon, the answer came: you can also help with grief processing through ceramics. People started ordering small vases for an altar of a deceased person, and shortly after, I was asked for the first time if I would make an urn. That was 5 years ago. Now, through both of my businesses, I regularly contribute to the process of loss, and it feels like an honor
Besides handmade urns, I also frequently create pieces in which I incorporate a bit of ash upon request. I mix the ash with a bit of liquid clay, which I then apply to my work. This creates a visibly rough edge. It is usually small vases or candle holders, but for children, I sometimes make 'hug stones.' These are small objects that can be easily held in the hand and are glazed in a beautiful color.
When I receive a request for an urn or a piece of work with ash, I prefer to have a conversation with people. Not digitally, but truly. A phone call or face-to-face meeting is better; it’s nice to get a good sense of who people are in such a sensitive matter, and I think it’s also comforting for them to know who is making something for them. I often hear beautiful stories, sometimes a tear is wiped away, but just as often, there’s a lot of laughter. I always like to know if there are special requests, and there almost always are. A favorite color of the deceased, or something that fits the survivors. There are so many possibilities! What I almost always hear is that people are looking for something that doesn’t look like a typical urn, but something beautiful, artistic, personal, with meaning. Something that doesn’t come from a factory or a standard mold, but something that’s been made with love and attention.
And that is exactly what I love to make. Get in touch with me to discuss what is possible in the field of handmade urns.
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