Custom Urns

“On February 24, 2021, my oldest brother died from a massive heart attack while he was at work. Two days later…”

On February 24, 2021, my oldest brother died from a massive heart attack while he was at work. Two days later my father passed away from complications due to pneumonia. The only thing I could focus on was trying to do something for others and ignore what I was thinking and feeling. Since I’ve been a woodworker for almost 30 years, I jumped head first into researching what size urn would be needed, thinking about what type of wood to use, and what color(s) resin would look best. While avoidance wasn’t the best tactic to deal with the situation, it certainly wasn’t the worst way to cope. With my research and my dad in mind, I continued on and selected the wood. I chose to use pecan wood from a tree that had fallen a few years prior at my childhood home. I picked blue mica pigment resin because it was his favorite color. I went with an admittedly ugly Christmas tree-shaped cedar finial because my father loved the smell of cedar and Christmas was about the only time I remembered him smiling. I cut and prepped the pecan. Next, I poured the resin and put it in a pressure pot to clear out any air bubbles. After a few days, it was time to de-mold it and get it on the lathe. All was looking good! It was very easy to de-mold and mount to the lathe, the wood and resin were cutting perfectly, the outside was finished, and the inside was 10 minutes from being ready for sanding. Then my bowl gouge caught the grain. The base of the urn where it was mounted on the lathe cracked, sending it flying off the lathe at a thousand rpm, into the wall, then into my chest, and finally landing on the concrete floor where it cracked almost in two along the sides and bottom. Needless to say, I was devastated. Not only was it a beautiful piece and my father’s urn, but it was my way to avoid…life. Upset, I put it aside and didn’t touch it for almost two years. One day while working on another project in my shop I noticed it sitting and collecting dust. When I picked it up I knew it was time to see if I could save it or if I needed to start over. It was time. After two additional resin pours, a shape modification, re-turning the entire piece to get it back into round, sanding, and applying a strong finish, it was finally completed and ready to be taken to my dad’s widow in another state.

So, why urns?

Sometimes the smallest things have the biggest impact.

“…to get part of my dad’s ashes in the beautiful urn you made…and to know that it was made from a piece of wood he used to do his carvings…words can’t express what it means to me.” – Sara

Throughout the process of making my father’s final resting place, from research to completion and delivery, I found closure that I never would have imagined obtaining. Not only did it do this for me but also for my three remaining siblings, his widow, my mother, and hopefully others in his life I don’t know. This is why I specialize in urns. If I can provide even a little bit of closure and solace to the family and friends of those who have passed then it has been a positive day.